What I Learnt From a Veteran Property Agent → Kean Ng

Sometimes the Best Lessons Don’t Come From Seminars

Recently, I met up with another veteran property agent, Dragon Tan.

It wasn’t a formal meeting. There were no PowerPoint slides, no sales presentation, and no agenda. It was simply two experienced agents catching up over coffee, talking about the Singapore property market and how our businesses have evolved over the years.

These conversations are something I value because everyone survives in this industry differently. There is no single formula for success.

Some agents are excellent negotiators. Some build huge referral networks. Some focus on social media. Others specialise in luxury homes or HDB resale.

Every successful agent has built a business model that works for them.

The Market Has Not Changed But EVOLVED

One thing we agreed on is that today’s property market is very different from what it was 10 or even 20 years ago.

Buyers and sellers are no longer relying solely on newspaper advertisements or property portals.

Today, many people:

Search on Google.
Watch YouTube videos.
Browse TikTok and social media.
Ask AI tools like ChatGPT before speaking to an agent.
Read online reviews before deciding who to contact.

Clients are becoming more informed than ever before.

As agents, we also need to evolve.

Your Business Model Matters

One interesting topic we discussed was business models.

Every agent has their own approach.
Some focus heavily on referrals.
Some spend thousands every month on advertising.
Some build large teams.
Others specialise in one particular market segment.

There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” model. The important question is whether your business model is sustainable for the next five to ten years.

A business that depends entirely on chasing new leads every single day can become exhausting.

That’s why many experienced agents are constantly adapting and looking for better ways to create long-term value.

Knowledge Has Become a Competitive Advantage

Years ago, clients mainly asked agents for listings.
Today, they ask much deeper questions.

Questions like:

Should I sell now or wait?
Should I fully pay my HDB loan?
Should I use more CPF or preserve it?
Is this project worth buying?
What are the hidden risks?

These questions cannot be answered with a simple sales pitch.
They require knowledge, experience, and the ability to explain complex topics in simple language.
That’s where I believe experienced agents can make the biggest difference.

Relationships Still Matter

Technology may have changed the way clients find us, but relationships remain the foundation of this business.

Whether you’re working with buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, or fellow agents, trust is still the most valuable asset.

Even after many years in the industry, I still enjoy meeting fellow agents because everyone has a different perspective.

Sometimes one conversation can give you a fresh idea that changes how you think about your own business.

My Thought

One thing this conversation reminded me is that no matter how experienced we become, we should never stop learning.

The property market keeps evolving. Consumer behaviour changes. Technology changes. AI is changing how people search for information.

Instead of fearing these changes, I believe we should embrace them.

Personally, I’m building my business differently from how I started years ago. Beyond helping clients buy, sell and rent properties, I want to create educational content that answers the questions people are already asking. If someone can make a better property decision because of something they’ve read on my website, that’s meaningful to me.

At the end of the day, properties can be bought and sold by many agents.

But trust, knowledge, and genuine relationships are what keep clients coming back.

Let’s Continue the Conversation

Meeting fellow industry veterans reminds me that no one has all the answers. The property market is constantly evolving, and every homeowner deserves advice that’s based on facts, experience, and genuine conversations, not just headlines.

If you’re wondering: