The muscle of a good estate agent. Whenever looking for a home, you may need the assistance of an estate agent. A lot of us actually don’t know how to use an estate agent.
We use an estate agent like a Google search. If you use an estate agent simply searching for a home and facts, then just use fazwaz.com or propertyscout.com. You will get a list, and you can call the number on the website.
But what does a good estate agent actually get you? A good estate agent gets you leverage.
For between one and three per cent, a good estate agent can make a difference between 130 and 100 per cent, 90 and 80 per cent.
If you are a buyer, you leverage the agent and push them to get you a 10 or 20 percent discount on the purchase, and if you are a seller, you try to get a five, 10, or 15 per cent premium on valuation.
A lot of us don’t play this game, right? We use agents and brokers on a task that, when you think carefully about it, Gemini or ChatGPT can easily answer.
My other question is, who has the best skill set in this business?
The head of CBRE for 16 years and now chairwoman for five years is Aliwassa Pathnadabutr and over at JLL Thailand, Suphin Mechuchep was appointed as the Managing Director of the company in 2007, and in 2021, she was appointed as the Chairperson, playing a crucial role in representing clients in conducting large real estate investment transactions.
I have the pleasure of knowing Suphin, and I will tell you, hands down, that she was, and continues to be, among the top 10 CEOs in the country.
In our own Bangkok community, I have singled out four individuals who I think have potential, including Navleen Pithaksingsakul, Dolly (Sunanta) Sachdev, Ravneet Kaur Sirisachadecha, and Pavana Rani Sirikogar.
I particularly see potential for the next billion-baht transactions to come from either or both Navleen and Pavana, who each spend about 10 hours per day on the phone, finding, explaining, and convincing a client to buy or sell.
They both possess amazing talent, and I must give credit where it is due.
I want to be very transparent that I have no personal gain in recommending these individuals, but I am certain that if you call any or all of them, they will do an excellent job for you.
Women seem to be better at this job than most men because it is perfect for their persistent, dogmatic, and steadfast nature.
An ideal agent should be able to convince a client that jumping into a purchase of THB 10 million to THB 100 million is the right place and the right time.
This week, I want to dedicate this column to the ‘ladies of my life’ who give it colour, excitement, challenge, and inspiration.
Thank you to Khun Nav, Rav, Dolly, and Rani, for calling yourself estate agents and keeping the flag flying high.
Remember, “ABC—always be closing.”
I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by intelligent and genial women.
If you also identify as one of these ladies and want to learn from any of the above, I would be happy to forward contact details.
Enjoy ‘May Madness’ and see you soon.