FROM RETRENCHED TO REAL ESTATE ROCKSTAR

The effects of the national lockdown have been hard felt by countless South Africans. As one of many others who have lost their jobs owing to the crisis, Keira Kinsey, a single mom who was newly retrenched, felt near hopeless about her career prospects. Yet, since joining RE/MAX Finest in July 2020, she has already secured five sole mandates, concluded a number of successful sales, and is now doubling the salary of her previous position.

“After being in the catering equipment industry for over 14 years and losing my position due to COVID-19, I tried several avenues looking for employment at first. After some stressful weeks and long nights of worrying, my brother suggested that I join him as a real estate agent at RE/MAX Finest. At first, I was a bit sceptical, but looking back, I wish I had done this ages ago! It’s hard work and requires ample dedication but the rewards are ultimately so worth it,” explains Keira Kinsey of RE/MAX Finest.

Her advice to other new agents hoping to join the industry is to always remain positive. “This game can kick you when you are down, and you need to learn to kick it right back! It’s a tough industry and I have lost a few deals, but this goes back to staying positive. The deals that have been successful have made it all worth it.”

She adds that the key to success is to keep pushing and keep talking. “You are your own marketing tool. If you don’t market yourself and tell everyone what you do, you lose out,” she recommends. As an example of how talking can secure more deals, Kinsey explains that she was able to secure her first sole mandate through an opportunity that arose through a conversation she was having with a young couple who were looking for their first rental property.

“We covered the basics, including where they stayed currently and why they wanted to move. It turns out that they were living with their dad and were ready to make the bold move to live on their own. As we continued chatting, the couple mentioned that their dad might want to sell his home as it would be too big for just him. Seeing the opportunity, I extended my services and offered to help sell their dad’s home if he ever chose to sell. A week later, I got the call to come through and do a valuation and we signed the sole mandate then and there.”

Kinsey is one of many who have switched to RE/MAX during the pandemic. According to Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, now more than ever, the backing of a well-established brand becomes invaluable to agents who are struggling to make ends meet during lockdown. “We are incredibly proud of Kinsey for her success at this early stage of her career and are hopeful that the ongoing support and training that our brand offers will continue to help many other agents like her reach great success within this industry,” Goslett concludes.

For those who are curious to learn more about joining South Africa’s largest brand in real estate, visit our YouTube series designed to provide recruits with an insight into the brand, its values, goals, history and resources.