She Leads, She Builds: Women Redefining Real Estate
“Yes, hello…this is she… Yes, we still have availability on one bedroom apartments sir. The price is 200K plus VAT or if you wish to buy it fully furnished then we can offer it at 220K plus VAT.
Hmm, ok, I hear you loud and clear…so, you have 150K which is your budget, and you cannot go a cent up, you have the money cash, you can buy right now, and you want it fully furnished and with a covered parking. Hmm…let’s see…
No sir, we cannot do it…not possible, with your budget, your tone and your request. What I could and I would probably give you is either the front or the back door of the apartment and if you are polite enough, maybe a window.
The price is such and will not come down…I know the project and there are no such prices…neither duplex apartment, only studios…I know the owner sir, he is my cousin…
Yes, you can call me back after you speak to your lawyer…Thank you… (5 minutes after, my phone rings again, guess who?)
Oh, that was quick…yes, we shall send over a reservation agreement including the pricing and the furniture list to your lawyer? You agree on the full price, and you think is a good deal…hmmm so do I. Thank you!
A few years ago, with this offer from a client, I would run panicked to the office of my boss, thinking that if I did not give to the client what he wanted I would never close a deal and I would be considered a bad employee…Of course my boss’s answer would be a big “No way! Tell him to get lost!” which back then I thought was totally insane! And I also thought we would never sell the project with an approach of saying “no”!
Getting behind the wheel of the real estate company I represent as VP, through my very own marketing and public relations company, changed the game for me and “no” became one of my favorite words. And I can surely say, the more “no” I say the more sales we make! Crazy, isn’t it?
How does this happen? It happens through great work, confidence, knowing what you’re talking about with every detail and being prepared to negotiate hard and have a plan A, B or C or D!
And all the above and more, while being a woman, a mother, a wife and best friend, an associate, a CEO and God knows what else these days us women are asked to multitask and complete.
Honestly, I do not know any guys in the industry that they could be doing two or three things at the same time…ask your husband or partner to babysit while you go grocery shopping…best chance is that everyone is still alive when you get back home…and home is still in its place, while you had 37 missed calls from them.
So, real estate they said…glamorous they said, lots of money in your pocket, travelling around the world, having great network and connections, five star hotels, big deals and commissions, parties, awards, a life that is ever so exciting while making millions…well we are not “Selling Sunset” here because we do not have enough time to fight and bitch around I am afraid.
Well, as much as we love these, nobody prepared you for the mud, the heat, the workers, the diva architects, the crazy interior designers whose vision you cannot share, the Houthi pirates in the sea, stealing your iron and delaying your construction, the law changing every couple of months for which you must be up to date and let us not forget our dear clients and the even dearest lawyers and the best of the best…the people working in the governmental authorities…isn’t it The Dream?
Yes, real estate, as glamorous as it may be, comes with as many challenges as any other job in this world. It is up to us to make great things happen and succeed in an industry which until recently it was male-dominated and if you were a woman, the game was always against you.
It’s a man’s world, they said…
Not anymore, although men are still outnumbering us women in the hierarchy of a lot of big real estate companies around the world. And that is why we are here today. So, I can show you how to speak real estate, sell real estate, seal that deal, lead and build a career that you are super proud to have!
Knowledge is power: You have to have knowledge about everything you will be asked and not asked. From the square meters of the project to the quality of the tiles of the bathroom, to the power of the solar panels, to the speed of the fiber internet to the temperature of the swimming pool, to the tax incentives and the laws, to the stamp duty cost and the transfer fees if any, to the hidden costs and the lawyer’s fees. You need to know everything and even everything is not half of it!
Dress for the part: You know they say fake it till you make it? It doesn’t apply in real estate because one single question will throw you off your game and you have lost. There are no second chances with clients. That is why you must win impressions right away by dressing for the role you are about to deliver. You are a real estate professional. Dress up like one! And what I mean like one, like someone who first and above all respects themselves, is comfortable in their own walking shoes, can run in the construction site if sudden rain starts and does not stumble over the nails and wood with their high heels. Dress, to be remembered, of how well-groomed and respectful you were, not because you had the shortest dress or very tight ripped jeans.
Be polite and show empathy: Clients are not always polite and usually are in a rush. Be on time and be a Budha of patience. Their partner may be stressed, or they may have had a fight before your meeting. That is none of your business. Smile and deliver, no matter how annoying some questions may be, no matter how many times they ask. Show empathy on the worries that may arise about moving to a new place, which means starting their lives from the very beginning and reassure them that first and foremost they met a friend in this new place, You!
Communicate: Follow Up! Give them time and then call them! Email and text! Follow up with their thoughts on your meeting, follow through with meeting them once more and resolve any last worries and questions. Make sure to communicate to them, the surroundings of the project and what lays around for their everyday life and convenience, making them feel that they belong in a community where new friends are available and that their children will be happy in this haven they chose for the new chapter of their lives.
As women, we have a sixth sense on the above things I mentioned! We are already making a great impact by basically leading in the real estate industry. We have a momentum we need to cherish so as for future generations to enjoy. There are plenty more tips and details we can explore together while strengthening our network and creating new synergies!
That is why I am currently organizing an interactive workshop especially for women in the real estate business which I would love for you to take part!
It will only take in one day, 6 hours of your time, and the price is just €100 + vat.
If you wish to see your business taking off, if you feel that you need to empower yourself in the real estate business, lead and build a career you always dreamed, then this is a life-changing event you should not miss!
I am here to help you! I am here to empower you!
You are amazing and I am here to prove this to you!
You can make it happen!
For more information, please email me at: ltdwcreative@gmail.com
and I will get back to you with all details of the workshop!
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Paola Hadjilambri
Founder & CEO
“W” Creative Consultancy Ltd
