Special Feature

Millionaire mindset: Jarrey Ng sets high standards for himself and others

April 28, 2023 2:00 PM SGT

Having clinched the prestigious PropNex Millionaire Award in 2022, Jarrey Ng shares his method for building solid and lasting relationships with clients-turned-friends

Having had more than 20 years of experience in the sales industry, it is no surprise that Jarrey Ng quickly enjoyed success as a realtor just five years into becoming an agent. His method, which has been tried and tested over the years, boils down to a simple philosophy: Listening to the needs of his customers and understanding how to add value to their lives.

“The main key is to empower the client to look at things differently and to empower them with knowledge,” he says. He adds that it allows clients to evaluate things more logically, leading to better investment decisions.

Since joining the real estate industry in 2017, Ng has clinched numerous prestigious industry awards – from Top Rookie to Top Producer – that attest to his hard work and flair as an agent. In 2022, he attained the PropNex Millionaire Award.

Looking back, Ng says that the journey has not been easy.

Can-do attitude

Ng chanced upon the real estate industry after a series of personal setbacks. In 2013, the international financial services organisation he worked with suddenly closed. He had to begin anew after a thriving career that spanned 18 years.

Ng spent the next four years travelling abroad to seek new business opportunities. “It was very challenging, especially when you don’t have a big organisation behind you,” he says. He lost money after being cheated by business partners.

Despite these difficult times, Ng maintained a can-do attitude. He is a firm believer in taking responsibility for one’s actions. “You must choose to take hold of what you can control and let go of what you cannot,” he says, quoting from the book, The Way of the Warrior: An Ancient Path to Inner Peace, by Erwin Raphael McManus.

Ng returned to Singapore, where his natural career choice was real estate, given his sales experience in the financial services industry. He closed his first deal within just one month of becoming a realtor.

No-nonsense approach

As someone who thinks ahead and is clear about what he wants, Ng says his colleagues have often described him as “extremely fast-paced”. For this reason, he prefers to work alone. However, as his business has grown, he has an administration and marketing team supporting him. He believes in delegation and leveraging the strengths of others.

Given his financial services background and robust real estate industry knowledge, Ng is very structured and disciplined. He ensures that he offers all his clients the same level of service. He takes them through a market overview, assesses their financial health, and generates a customised plan and perspective. He also believes in the importance of conducting due diligence.

Ng believes in adopting a no-nonsense approach in his dealings with his clients and in telling the truth, regardless of whether they accept his advice. “It is always better to tell them the truth, even if it may not necessarily be what they want to hear,” he says. “But it will benefit them over the long term.”

It takes much more to be professional and direct than to pander and please, he adds. “I tell my clients that there are two types of agents: the others and me.”

Strong work ethic

Beyond his professionalism and structured way of working is his work ethic. “Every morning, I’m in my office by 8.30am, and I start calling my clients at 9am,” he says. He has high expectations of himself as a real estate agent. “You must see yourself as someone of value; only then can people see the value you offer them,” he says.

Likewise, he has high expectations of his clients: “While you’re looking for a service worth your time, you need to show me you’re worth the service I’m giving as well,” he says. “It is never about the budget but the sincerity.”

From clients to friends

Ng’s passion for working with people and desire to build client relationships have served him well over the years. Many of his clients have become close friends with whom he has celebrated significant milestones. To Ng, building serious and authentic relationships is part of his success.

He stands by his advice for every one of his clients: Be very clear in your buying objectives, be it a home or for investment. Don’t shift your goalpost. “Agents can help you with the marketing and sales of your unit, but they cannot change the market,” he says.

Business expansion

Ng is passionate about working with anyone serious about investing in real estate, and he caters his services to mass market and high-net-worth clients. He believes anyone can grow from having limited means to being high-net-worth. The most important thing is to build someone up from nothing to something. “I think that is more powerful,” he adds.

Moving forward, Ng intends to expand his business. He wants to expand his team, focus on growing his client relationships, and add value.