Special Feature

Landed property veteran Alex Ng gives his all in mentoring young agents

July 5, 2024 3:45 PM SGT

Ng believes that every successful agent needs their own individual “system” that builds character and determines how they handle clients.

"Build a self-system: cultivate willingness, focus and persistence. Strengthen your strengths, address your weaknesses, and act decisively and timely for maximum impact!" — Alex Ng

For 16 years, PropNex agent Alex Ng has been a trailblazing figure in the landed property market. As testament to his dedication, he was given PropNex’s champion landed transactor award in 2022 and first runner-up landed transactor award last year. Now, he is channelling his time and focus to mentoring young agents in the dynamic world of landed real estate.

Ng serves as chief landed property trainer at PropNex, providing guidance to other property agents over the past few years. A mentor at heart, he is fully dedicated to his role, even offering on-the-job training by allowing fellow agents to shadow him when he meets clients. Ng always believes that a mentor should tap their wealth of network and skills to mentor young agents. “I have been giving mentees my all, regardless of how much time or effort is needed, because they are my priority – just like how I give 100% focus to my own clients. They deserve the best from me as a mentor,” he says.

Though the agents can learn from him on how to manage clients, he ensures that they maintain their independence and initiative. The point is for them to reduce fear and negativity, and build confidence and trust. “Being an agent, especially a new one, can come with a lot of fear, so agents must gain confidence and believe in themselves,” Ng notes.

He reassures mentees that they have his strong support, as long as they are serious in their work and they work hard. He also pushes them to take initiative despite any fears they may have. “I always remind them, if you start with zero [prospective clients] and go out to find some, the worst that can happen is coming back with zero,” he says.

Full house attendance at Ng's workshop, preparing landed agents on the fundamentals of being 'On The Ground'. (Picture: Alex Ng)

Empowering agents with key principles and own system

Ng also imparts three key principles that have guided him throughout his real estate journey: being focused, having a system and being persistent.

For him, being focused is a non-negotiable trait for any agent. This means the agents should know their products well so that they can help clients match their needs with the most suitable property. Having this skill is especially crucial for landed properties, which cater to a different client base that looks for properties based on the clients’ lifestyles, he notes.

Additionally, to Ng, every successful agent needs their own individual “system” that builds character and determines how they handle clients. This refers to their goals, marketing strategies and management skills – all of which will guide their day-to-day routines.

These principles have guided him through difficult times, such as the transition from condos to landed properties. There were many different land guidelines, rules and regulations that he had to familiarise with. He took up the challenge and quickly learned the ropes of the landed property sector.

When the market was hit with various pandemic-related restrictions, Ng pivoted to creating video tours of properties to connect interested buyers with available properties, but this required him to step out of his comfort zone as he was not comfortable being in front of a screen.

His efforts paid off when the property market boomed after the pandemic restrictions were gradually removed. Buyers had relied on videos to check out properties, and he rode the wave of transactions that followed when the pandemic started to subside.

Ng was the recipient of both the Top Producer and Top Landed Transactor awards at the 2024 PropNex Convention. (Picture: Alex Ng)

Proven track record

To date, Ng has brokered more than 100 landed properties. His most memorable transaction was for a single-storey landed property. He had met the owner in the morning, he recalls, and by the afternoon, he had sold it off for over a million dollars. He credits the speedy sale to his sharp focus on landed properties, which has secured him a solid footing and strong network within the sector.

“I have a pool of buyers interested in landed property, and when I find any suitable ones, I just drop them a text. I’ve secured this network over the years because of how focused I am on landed assets,” he explains.

Ng has become an expert on landed properties, specifically those in the east, namely in Districts 14 (Eunos, Geylang and Paya Lebar), 15 (East Coast and Marine Parade) and 16 (Bedok and Upper East Coast).

The veteran agent’s journey in the real estate industry began with HDB properties and then condos, for a total of six years. However, he felt a growing desire to assist clients in upgrading their assets and investments and securing good property buys. It was this passion that drove him to confront his fears about handling higher-tier clients and look at landed properties.

Ten years on in the landed property sector, Ng has clinched various accolades, testifying to his consistent track record in the sector, including being PropNex’s champion landed transactor in 2022 and first runner-up landed transactor last year.

“I have been giving mentees my all, regardless of how much time or effort is needed, because they are my priority – just like how I give 100% focus to my own clients. They deserve the best from me as a mentor,” — Alex Ng (Picture: Alex Ng)

Investing in relationships with clients

For Ng, landed properties are the ultimate end-goal tier for any homeowner. He considers landed properties to be more than just an abode; they are also a legacy to future generations.

Ng prioritises building strong relationships with landed homeowners and buyers and gaining their trust. He believes that agents must make sure that clients leave a home-viewing with a smile, even if they are still unsure of the property. Agents need to have a high level of optimistic energy, he notes. “Always keep the energy ‘up there’ and keep the mood as light as possible, because it makes a difference.”

Building client relationships is important for the group of clients interested in landed residential properties, who typically seek homes based on their lifestyles, family needs and requirements, he says. “Their priorities are very different from clients who seek HDB or condo properties, and agents interested in this niche market must be able to match owners with the right buyers, and buyers with the right homes.”

However, Ng is realistic about the difficulty of getting a property that fits all of the home buyer’s criteria, as reflected in his slogan – translated from a Hokkien idiom: “There’s one good, no two good. If both are good, price not good”.

He believes this is where the role of an agent comes in. “A landed property agent today should be able to help clients manage expectations, as well as match them with the best properties that fit their needs, even if it does not tick off all the checkboxes on their list. This is the standard I want to cultivate in agents that I groom,” Ng says.