When I look back on my time as a sales and leasing consultant, I realize I took away so much more than just how to sell property or close a deal. That chapter taught me a lot about people — how they think, what they care about — and also helped me understand the kind of person I want to be at work. I learned about patience, communication, and what it means to stay true to yourself when things get tough.
Here are some of the lessons that really stayed with me:
🔹 Integrity is easy to say, hard to practice
In this industry, there are a lot of things people just accept as “how it works.” I was offered under-the-table commissions more than once. I was told not to mention certain flaws in a property just to help close a deal faster.
But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Sometimes, that meant losing a deal — and it wasn’t easy watching others succeed faster by cutting corners.
But I always believed that trust matters. And I slept better knowing I didn’t have to hide anything. Looking back, I think I’m most proud of that.
🔹 Good sales begin with empathy, not persuasion
I learned that sales isn’t just about convincing people — it’s about understanding them.
Sometimes, my job was simply to listen. Not just to what people said, but what they hoped for, what they worried about, what they didn’t quite know how to express.
Instead of pushing the most expensive unit, I tried to match people with places that made sense for their lifestyle, their budget, and the way they lived.
There’s something genuinely fulfilling about seeing a client move into a place that makes their life better.
🔹 Be the fair middleman
Being in the middle isn’t easy. Landlords want to get the highest rent. Tenants want the best deal.
I didn’t want either side to feel like they were being taken advantage of.
So I tried to stay neutral, focus on what the unit was actually worth, and explain things clearly to both sides.
Sometimes I helped tenants understand why a price was fair. Other times, I gently encouraged landlords to adjust their expectations. It was a balancing act, but I found that fairness — and kindness — went a long way.
🔹 Expectation management is everything
A lot of tension comes from mismatched expectations.
I had to learn how to set the tone early: asking the right questions, being transparent about what was possible, and helping people shift their priorities when needed.
It wasn’t always easy, but being honest from the start helped avoid misunderstandings later on. It also helped clients feel more supported and less stressed throughout the process.
🔹 Stay calm under pressure
In real estate, unexpected things happen all the time — deals fall through last minute, a client or landlord changes their mind at the final step, or tensions rise during negotiations.
In the beginning, I used to panic a little — but over time, I learned to take a breath, listen carefully, and focus on what I could fix.
Staying calm helped me think more clearly and made others feel more grounded too. It’s a skill I still carry with me today, and I’m really grateful for that.
🔹 Respect the people you work with
In real estate, you don’t work alone. From fellow agents to building management teams, strong relationships make everything run more smoothly.
For example, by building good rapport with the building staff, I was able to get support for urgent move-ins or prioritize repairs when a tenant needed something fixed quickly. That not only helped resolve issues faster; it also built trust with my clients and improved their overall experience.
Sometimes, what makes you stand out isn’t just what you do, but how well you work with others behind the scenes.
🔹 Let go of what you can’t control
Not every client is going to be happy. Not every comment is going to be fair.
Sometimes you do your best, and it still isn’t enough for someone.
In those moments, I had to learn to stay calm, take feedback with grace — even if it felt a bit unfair — and move on. That’s not always easy, but it’s necessary.
Looking back, I might not remember every unit I showed or every deal I closed.
But I do remember how I grew — the small lessons, the tough calls, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing I stayed true to my values.
And for that, I’m truly grateful.
A Dream Wanderer 