Wazzup Pilipinas!
Former beauty queen turned successful real estate broker Miriam Quiambao shares some personal tips and advice that helped her conquer the real estate scene
From the glamorous pageant stage, Miriam Quiambao-Roberto is now a wife, a mother, a TV host, an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, investor, property manager and a real estate broker. Juggling all of these roles, Quiambao still managed to learn and excel.
Now that the most-awaited Lamudi Philippines Brokers Awards Night is coming near, more aspirants are getting hyped up to know what it really takes to be one of the best brokers in the country. For this reason, Miriam Quiambao shares the ingredients of her success to other inspiring brokers, here are some proven tips and advice from the 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up herself.
Above all aspects of being a real estate professional, presentation might be the most important. Whether it is showing a home to a possible buyer or renter, or helping owners sell their properties while clinching the best deal, the job requires a great deal of persuasion and convincing. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it sounds. Common mistakes are hard selling or being too dull as they present. The most unforgivable, however, is coming unprepared and being unprofessional in front of clients.
Arrive on Time or
Earlier Than Scheduled
This is a basic best practice not only in real estate dealings. According to Miriam, being early at the
venue sets the tone for how the presentation goes. As the owner of Q Estates
Management and the Managing Director of 3Win Realty & Development
Corporation, Miriam is regularly attending meetings, and she says that arriving
ahead allows one to settle in to the venue before a presentation, avoiding
having to rush and be unkempt. Arriving early also gives you the chance to
prepare yourself and your visual aids if you have any.
“For brokers and in
anything actually where one wants to appear as professional, I would suggest
you come on time. In fact, even 15 minutes before the meeting, because that
will allow you to relax a little and settle in, and not rush because you’ve
found an ample parking space or the venue itself beforehand. If you are meeting
with a seller, it also allows you to prepare with them way before the buyer
arrives,” Ms. Quiambao shared.
Preparation Is Key
Whether in media or
in business, preparation is a necessity. Unlike in a television or movie shoot
where mistakes can be corrected, there are no retakes when making a live
presentation to a client, so preparation is very important. More than arming
yourself with the right words, coming confident and prepared ensures that the
clients feels a professional kind of care from you and not just there to push
business.
“If there are
documents or need-to-know information that are required or that might come up
in the meeting, you should already have acquired or researched that way before.
If you’re the selling broker, you want to make sure you’ve done your due
diligence, so that the person you are selling to does not experience any problems
because of your lack of it,” shared by the Philippine Realty TV host.
“Always take note
that your reputation is also on the line, so you want to make sure that you are
showing your fellow brokers and their buyers or sellers the professionalism
they deserve. For instance, you should avoid occurrences where you will present
a property for sale that will turn out as a problematic property and will cause
delay in the process due to your lack of research,” Ms. Quiambao added.
The Way You Present Yourself Also Matters
“The way you carry
yourself and the way you look are the first measure to your character. It can
show that you are trustworthy and also reflect on the kind of work that you do.
If you look disorderly, they may think that’s how you work.” Going beyond
aesthetics, clients prefers to listen to a presentable speaker, and keen to do
business with someone knows how to care for him- or herself.”
It is all in the
details, says Miriam, as the presentation begins the instant you meet the
person or people you are presenting to. “Always practice proper hygiene and
present yourself professionally, because they will immediately see that you
cared enough to be put together well for the presentation.”
“When you introduce
yourself, it is important to give them a nice, firm handshake. Not too long,
not too short, not too strong, not too limp but just right. Remember as well
that eye contact shows confidence and that you are secure about yourself and
your job,” Ms Quiambao detailed.
Finish Strong and Follow up Gently
Even if the
presentation did not end in a deal, it is still vital to leave a good lasting
impression. Miriam stressed that business doesn’t end when the presentations
are finished, and being appreciative and sending follow-ups can build
relationships that all started with that initial meeting.
“It would be nice
if you could send them birthday cards or Christmas cards, flowers, or a
decently priced bottle of wine. Nothing too expensive, but just something they
can remember you by. Those little actions will mean a lot to your clients.
Apart from showing professionalism and appreciation of their time, this will
likewise ensure that you will be on top of their mind in case they need to buy,
sell, or rent property in the future,” Ms. Quiambao ended.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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