There’s great profit to be made with selling properties, especially in a country with a fast-growing economy like Cambodia.
Whether you’re new to the industry or have been around for a very long time, there will always be people looking for a good investment and they will always try to look for someone with insider knowledge in property. That someone is usually their real estate agent.
Whether it’s for selling property or looking for the next home that would best suit their needs, it’s most likely that real estate agents are sought after for help. But real estate agents are bound to make mistakes if they lack certain knowledge, skills and attributes.
In an interview with Realestate.com.kh, Mr. Kim Heang, CEO of Khmer Real Estate and former president of the CVEA (Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association), states that “if you have a good occupation, if you have good language, that is not enough.”
So, before trying your luck at becoming a real estate agent in Cambodia, here are a few tips:
Educate Yourself:
Educating yourself does not only mean reading up on the market and getting updates on trends through your smartphone. It means getting a proper education and a bachelor’s degree.
There are about a thousand or more registered property agents and ten times more self-proclaimed property gurus in the Kingdom who give investors bad deals and misinformation. It not only makes people from the Cambodian industry look bad, but it also scares people from investing in Cambodia and trusting property agents again.
Learn the Language:
Heang says that although there are many investors in the local and international market, most of them are foreign nationals looking to invest in properties for commercial use, residential investments or for retirement. So, you have to learn their language in order to prevent any misunderstandings.
English may be a safe first choice as it is spoken by many foreign nationals. But since the Cambodian real estate market is particularly popular with investors from China, it will serve as an edge for you if you can speak Chinese as well.
Experience and Employment:
One of the things to look for after getting your education and learning the language is experience as a real estate agent. Many newcomers make the mistake of applying for positions in a big company says Heang.
If you’re looking for good experience, look for it in middle-class companies where you can learn from the founders or CEO directly. At the same time, being in a company that’s still growing will give you better opportunities that you will have a hard time getting into big companies.
If you are looking for a real estate agent in Cambodia, read our guide on Choosing the Right Cambodian Real Estate Agent.
Honesty:
Your honesty is probably the most important among all the attributes a great real estate agent must possess. As Heang puts it, “it’s from your heart”.
Many who are new to the industry make great money at the beginning but often struggle in the long run. This is because they lack empathy for the needs of the investors. So, it’s important that you remain truthful and just give them their best options rather than set high expectations you know you cannot fulfil.
Your integrity and good character are what will keep them coming back. The longevity of your career is dependent mostly on the trust you build with your client base. Whether you’re new to property investments or not, it’s important to keep all these in mind to prevent unnecessary mistakes and future complications.
It is important to note that the job of a real estate agent is not just to make profits, but to keep in mind the best interest of the investors at all times.
For more news and tips, tune in to Realestate.com.kh daily!
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