Do you notice that most buyers coming for flat viewings are young couples, retirees, businessmen or middle-age husband-and-wife teams?
Since I started looking for investment properties in my 20s, somehow I have to overcome problems of being a young single buyer.
Till today, some agents still say, at first glance, I look more like a property agent coming to co-broke.
My questions on the unit for sale are replied with lukewarm attitude.
You hear skeptical questions like,
“Have you checked with the bank whether you can get a loan?”
“Do you know you have to pay 1% now, 4% in 2 weeks and 15% in 12 weeks?”
I seldom let that bother me. Usually, I can convince the agents that I am a serious buyer — by sharing my condo knowledge or market insights.
I agree that agents should qualify potential buyers. But just because I look younger doesn’t mean that I am not a sincere buyer. You know I save very hard and work my heart out to build my property portfolio.
Sadly, many agents qualify whether you are a real buyer by judging your age, what you wear and your car model.
They end the flat viewing session asking,
“Where did you park your car?”
Unfortunately, I only drive after I bought my last property. So these agents can see me jumping out of a bus, or walking towards the direction of an MRT train station.
If I am not interested in the flat I just viewed, my answer is ‘I am taking a bus or a train back’. Very likely, they won’t bother to call afterwards for feedback.
For deals that I am keen to consider, I just say I am waiting for someone to pick me up. Now I want to check out the facilities alone.
I believe that ‘age is irrelevant when you are passionate about a goal’. But because I started young, I have my fair share of mistakes too.
Now I see that one can have intelligence at any age, but wisdom comes only with age and experience.
To do well in property investment, you don’t have to be intelligent. But you definitely need to be wise.
Drop me a line and let me know what you think.
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