Lim said buying, selling or renting property is a complex process, so Malaysians should let professionals guide them.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) launched its first-ever public awareness campaign #MYREALAGENTS last week, in conjunction with the opening of the two-day Malaysian Annual Real Estate Convention (MAREC) Summit 2020 at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

#MYREALAGENTS was developed to raise public awareness, especially amongst first-time buyers and renters on the need to choose registered estate agents or negotiators for their property needs.

This follows repeated cases of Malaysians being cheated out of their hard-earned savings or having their interests being compromised by unscrupulous illegal brokers.

MIEA president Lim Boon Ping said: “This is the first time in MIEA’s 46-plus-year history where we proactively developed a public-facing campaign towards improving the public’s awareness and understanding on the importance of choosing registered estate agents or negotiators, and how the public protect themselves.”

A website and social media channels were set up to explain and emphasise the importance of why one should engage with registered agents or negotiators and how one can protect oneself from illegal brokers.

The website will also include content on the legal aspects of buying, selling or renting property and also tips, checklists, and what to look for when engaging a registered estate agent or negotiator.

The 34th edition of MAREC Summit 2020 hosted 400 estate agents and negotiators who will learn from 32 speakers on market trends, improving their soft skills and enhancing professionalism as well as leveraging technology to better serve the public at large.

The main theme for MAREC SUMMIT 2020 is Real Estate Practice Vision 2025 “Change or Die”. This is reflective of the real estate profession, adapting and leveraging on the changes brought about by technology.

“We want the real estate fraternity to grow and anticipate future trends and needs which is why MIEA is also collaborating with proptech companies to serve our members better,” Lim said.

MAREC Summit 2020 serves as a platform where real estate practitioners can adopt new ideas and gain new insights on how to achieve peak performance in their careers. Other topics during the convention included personal branding, inspirational stories, motivational insights, digital technology applications, understanding real estate cycles, selling skills development as well as the art of closing.

Held annually, MAREC Summit is an established national convention that has become a leading platform for real estate practitioners to come together to exchange ideas and to network. While introducing the MIEA code of ethics, Lim said: “As the industry grows in stature and importance, the need to uphold professionalism, integrity, and being trustworthy is integral. 

“MIEA, in leading the evolution of real estate leadership seeks to redress and streamline the level of professionalism where our registered estate agents and negotiators are instilled with a strong sense of responsibility and ethics which would ultimately benefit the public.”