This is not my first rodeo as an estate agent. Some may think me thick but my 4th agency was The One for me. Gosh I made mistakes and I lost so much valuable time, not to mention the frustration and the stress. I really backed the wrong horse 3 times out of 4. But you know how hard it is. You hear good stuff and you like the sound of the promises, then you realise…. Boom, it’s not what you thought it would be and you are already up a creek with no paddle. I just made the wrong choices and I never really ‘shopped around’ as our clients do with more than 1 valuation. Simply, I backed the wrong horse. But, now that I have fessed up, to be fair I just backed the wrong horse in my race to financial freedom and independence as an estate agent. Moving on, let’s start with No 1 and go through why my choices were not the best.
1. An offshoot from yellow
This was what I thought was a real go-getter, but her business plan changed more often than the weather in Cape Town. No technology, no processes to leverage. I could have made this work but the lack of leverage and every single little thing seemed to cost money. If I knew then what I know now I would have recruited this offshoot from yellow because Keller Williams would have provided her with a sound business model and the technology to support. And, her costs would have been lower too to run a totally independent agency powered by the No 1 in real estate in the world. This offshoot from yellow still exists but is a total no-name to this day…
2. A now big in the game
I loved the main guy, loved the brand and loved the promise. But in my defence, I was new and I did not know what I did not know. I never realised the extent to which technology could set me and my efforts apart. I know now what was missing but the people and the team were lovely. I have also learned that lovely people don’t pay my bills though. But they were also fairly new and never had the technology to support us in the field. A bit like sending smoke signals up and hoping for the best. It was early days in fairness, but I just also reached a point where I could not learn the hard way any more and at the expense of my income.  I had to send a WhatsApp to get a Lightstone report. I was also new to the industry when I joined and newbies were not the focus. I just could not get the support I needed. And my confidence in this shark-infested industry was not good at the start. There was just so much to learn and understand. I did find something I thought would be bigger and better, next… Even if you get to the end of this article, knowing what I know now, KW Select is my place. The people are my tribe.Â
3. My mom and pop disaster
But sales was bolted on as an after-thought which will always be interesting. Built for running not for swimming. Trust me working in a family business is tough. You suck up quite a bit of stuff but you just can never seem to rise like cream when you really do deserve it. I realised I was less about the accolades and more about the money I took home to support my family. You just reach a point and you realise you have hit an invisible glass ceiling. Everything is stilted and you need to be careful because everyone is somehow related. Old business practices and lack of real funding was the pain point for this business with a very old-fashioned business model as a driver. What got my goat was the 50/50 split. Really, the world and this business model cannot surely still be in play. We are in 2024 now and everything has changed. My biggest concern when I left mom and pop was that they would pay my commission. I really did try to negotiate a better comm split but that went down like a lead balloon. I did earn my comm when I left but not what I was due. I really have been there and done that. What you sow in life you will reap….
4. Enter KW Select – ahhh my soft landing, finally!
I must say Keller Williams was not my first choice. Not really sure what I was looking for but a top international brand really got my attention. What also got my attention was that training as a world-class training provider across the world and the fact that I could learn from leaders from all over the world certainly got me thinking. The technology has ended up being the 1 thing I love the most about Keller Williams. The culture for me was good and solid. A good culture that focuses on doing the right thing, ALWAYS. Johann De Wet is the reason I joined KW Select. A quiet guy with big ideas and big dreams.Â
JDW’s big WHY really did float my boat and it was genuine
As the Operating Partner or OP as Johann De Wet is called, his big WHY is to build those around him. My WHY, well I had never really thought about WHY I was doing any of this. It really did make me think. I just liked the guy and liked his honesty. My initial discussion with JDW as I call him was honest and tough. I think in hindsight I interviewed him because my experience in the industry had been a rough baptism of fire. And I certainly did not want to make a mistake that I would regret. I had to eat after all and I needed to back the right horse. Johan and his KW Select market centre have seen some ups and downs, like most agencies. But he and his team comes out tops and the team just works. I am extremely proud to be part of KW Select. And trust me it does help that Keller Williams is the largest franchised real estate brand in the world – somehow my clients like it….. Hmmm…. Our support staff have been nominated for very coveted awards and the team has grown from strength to strength. We have stunning offices just off Republic Road in Randburg and trust me if you are a seasoned estate agent writing 2 or more deals a month we really do want to meet you. Even if its over a cup of coffee to chat about how the market is doing.Â
Time to move? Time to earn what you are worth? Time to light the flame on your career again?
This game is all about timing. Today you are happy and tomorrow something happens that makes you ‘not happy’. Promises, trust, what you earn, politics, the market and more. This is a tough role and we are tough to be able to not just survive but thrive as a seasoned estate agent. We have solutions of all makes and models. Independent, seasoned agents are our favourite. You know what needs to be done but you need the wings to really fly. Get as involved as you want to be but for heavens sake fly and become the greatest version of you. Life is no dress rehearsal and we dont’ get to come back tomorrow for a do-over. We would love you meet you if you are a seasoned real estate professional who has a solid track record. The culture is amazing and it’s a great moral compass if you are working independently. Visit our website for more info. Join KW.Â
