Building a career in real estate requires hard work, drive, and a whole lot of charm. If this is a field that you’ve always wanted to enter, then you’re in luck because one Pinay shared what it’s really like to sell properties for a living:
Name: Andrea Kyra Mahinay
Age: 25
Occupation: Property Specialist - Account Manager
Monthly income range:
For my position, I get a monthly allowance of at least P30,000. Aside from this, I also get a 1.75 percent commision for every sale that I make.
How long have you been working?
I had an online business back in college so technically, I’ve been working since 2014. Though I only joined my current team 10 months ago.
Have you always wanted to sell properties for a living?
Not really. I took up Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. But after I graduated college, I realized I wanted to pursue entrepreneurship. And because I’ve been selling since 2014, I found the urge to try entering real estate.
Is a high income a sure thing in your profession?
Honestly, being in sales is very challenging, since income isn’t a sure thing for some people in the field. (No sale, no income.) In the end, it all boils down to finding the right clients and helping them find their future homes or investments.
What’s a typical day like for you?
I’m always looking for new clients. If I’m not in the office working, I’m usually out manning our mall booths or in team activities trying to look for new prospects.
What’s the best part about your job?
I guess, having a great boss and teammates who support you no matter what. Having a really good support system at work really helps since it boosts your confidence.
What are the challenges?
I think the most challenging thing in sales is looking for clients that you could sell to when you’re just starting out. There are so many things that you have to do—memorizing the details of every property, overcoming your fear of talking to clients, learning sales techniques through experience, looking for clients non-stop—and everything can be overwhelming at first.
Name one thing you’d like to change about your job or in your industry.
Marketing training would be a good implementation, so you don’t have to rely on the company for marketing collaterals.
Can you picture yourself doing this long-term? Why or why not?
Yes, being in real estate sales is such a humbling profession. You get to meet different kinds of people and you get to grow everyday in this industry.
Can you give us a breakdown of your monthly expenses?
TBH, I’m always on a budget. Every month, I spend 45 percent of my income on food, 20 percent on gas, and 15 percent on parking. I also make it a point to set aside 20 percent of my income for my savings.
Do you worry about money?
Yes, and honestly, I think everybody does. I’ve always been a "wants vs needs" kind of girl and I’m not a fan of shopping at all. If I want to buy something I think about it several times before actually buying it—sometimes I end up not buying at all!
Do you feel any pressure to live or spend a certain way?
Not really, since I’d rather save or invest my money. You just have to live within your means.
Do you think you’re a good saver? What’s your #1 saving tip?
Yes, I’m big on saving! I suggest that you set aside a part of your income every month and try to avoid credit cards as they may pile on debt.
What are your financial goals?
I want to save more and invest more so I could have passive income. Also, I want to own several residential lots and commercial spaces in the future.
What does financial independence mean to you?
Financial independence is having freedom from money anxiety. It’s about getting the life you’ve always dreamed of having and being able to provide for your future family.
Do you think you’re being compensated fairly? Why or why not?
Yes, since we are commission based. It’s actually possible to be a millionaire in a span of a month in this job.