Tag Archives: Commission

$1.5 mill commission from record condo sale

A young property agent by the name of Shirley Seng would have received a hefty commission of about $1.5 million after selling a penthouse at Le Nouvel Ardmore for $51 million in April 2015, media reports said.

The transaction at the 43-unit freehold condominium is believed to be a local record-setter, with the penthouse sold to Alibaba’s co-founder Sun Tongyu, a Singapore permanent resident. Read more > SOLD: $51 million Ardmore Park penthouse

According to the PropNex agent, the tycoon was referred to her by a client whom she had previously served at Marina Bay Residences. Despite having less than five years of experience in the job, Seng was able to get to know wealthy clients as she had brokered several rental deals in the Marina Bay and Orchard areas.

Even though the 26-year-old agent has already become an overnight millionaire, Seng said she doesn’t plan to take a break.

“This deal is good money, like hitting the jackpot. But this is my lifelong career; if I go for a long holiday now, I may lose my clients when I return,” said the Nanyang Polytechnic graduate.

In fact, she brokered another seven transactions this month, in addition to the 16 she recorded in April. It is estimated that she made about $1.7 million in commissions from 53 deals since joining PropNex in January, but most of them involved leasing.

She previously worked at HSR International Realtors for four months, and spent another four years at ERA Realty.

When asked for her secret in dealing with affluent clients, Seng said that property agents should be time-conscious. “Speed is crucial. I always try to get back to them within one to two hours. I want to let them know that they are my priority.”

Zero commission? It’s too good to be true

I WELCOME the proposal to regulate property agents (‘Property agents to be regulated‘, Oct 5).

I wish to highlight an unethical practice of some property agents:

  • Some agents put up advertisements claiming they take ‘zero per cent commission’ from sellers. This seems like a good deal for sellers, given that the market rate is 2 per cent commission. But these agents require sellers to sign an exclusive agreement lasting three months. If the seller breaks this agreement before its expiry, a penalty fee of $5,000 is imposed.
  • These agents will also not be present during viewing sessions by potential buyers. They will SMS the viewing date and time to prospective buyers, and sellers will be left to handle the buyers and their agents. Continue reading