Seah spent 23 years in education before leaving a management position to embark on a career in real estate. (Photo: EdgeProp Singapore)
Dionne Seah transitioned from a well-established career in education to pursue her passion for real estate, driven by a deep interest in the industry and a desire for greater freedom and flexibility.
Well-mannered and quietly confident, the realtor from Brilliance Capital once held the role of assistant director at a local tertiary institution, overseeing departments in a management capacity.
Stepping away from the security of a job she had held for the past 23 years to venture into real estate was a bold move — yet it is a decision she does not regret.
Her keen interest in the property sector was first sparked while managing transactions involving her family-owned assets, such as the sale of her own property.
After coming across an EdgeProp article featuring Brilliance Capital’s executive director and founder, Sammi Lim, Seah felt inspired by the agency’s supportive culture and, more importantly, the opportunity to learn directly from Lim. She subsequently approached Lim via a cold email. She jokes with a laugh that Lim initially thought it was a scam email.
“I’m grateful to Lim for agreeing to meet me, as the agency does not have the practice of open recruitment,” says Seah.
After being accepted, Seah took the plunge and joined the team of nearly 30 realtors.
Her bold leap forward has borne fruit. Within just a year, Seah has carved out a niche for herself in the competitive industry through sheer perseverance, a hands-on approach and a strong will to succeed.
Armed with an engineering background, excellent people skills, and meticulous attention to detail, Seah possesses the ability to navigate the intricacies of both residential and commercial transactions with confidence.
When asked about her work philosophy, Seah replies with conviction: integrity — a value that is essential not only for surviving in the industry, but thriving in it, alongside the ability to communicate effectively.
“It is important to have integrity — to do the right thing for clients when handling what they entrust to us: their precious property assets,” reflects Seah.
“It is also crucial to communicate with empathy by truly listening to what clients need, such as their objectives in selling or leasing, rather than focusing on what we want to sell,” she emphasises. “I also treat every client with respect, regardless of the deal size.”
Within a year of entering the industry, Seah established herself across both residential and commercial property transactions. (Photo: Dionne Seah)
Having spent more than two decades in the education sector, Seah believes the experience has given her a deeper understanding of clients’ concerns and perspectives, allowing her to better address their needs.
She has since handled a diverse range of transactions, including the sale and lease of commercial units, offices, strata retail shops and residential properties.
One particularly memorable transaction involved helping an international company secure a shophouse unit that met its requirements of being located in a bustling area with high footfall. After reviewing multiple units across the downtown area for almost a year, Seah identified a suitable space in the vibrant downtown precinct.
Located along a bustling row of food and beverage outlets, the shophouse unit offered excellent visibility and foot traffic. However, the entire process proved far from straightforward, as Seah had to navigate a lengthy corporate approval process alongside competing offers from other interested parties.
Still, Seah did not let the numerous hurdles dampen her determination to help her client clinch the deal. From negotiations and coordination to renovation works — all of which required considerable problem-solving and persistence — the deal was finally concluded successfully over the course of a few months.
Her background in education helped Seah develop the listening skills and people-first mindset she brings to every client relationship. (Photo: Dionne Seah)
Asked what kept her going despite the challenges, Seah reflects: “I was hungry and treated every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow.”
She also credits her structured thinking and meticulousness that help to smoothen complex negotiations, along with support from the company and the founder Lim.
“It is important to think systematically and pay attention to detail,” she notes.
Following the successful transaction, the client returned to Seah for further property advisory services, a testament to her professionalism and service delivery.
In another memorable deal, Seah successfully leased out a strata unit in a boutique mixed-use development in the low-density Pasir Panjang residential enclave.
The experience reinforced an important lesson: never make prejudgments about any development, as every property has its own unique selling points that appeal to certain groups of tenants or buyers.
Seah also assisted another client who needed help leasing out a condominium unit. By carefully shortlisting suitable tenants who met certain criteria and facilitating multiple viewings, Seah successfully secured a tenant within a short period.
Real estate gave Seah the opportunity to pursue her ambitions while spending more quality time with her family. (Dionne Seah)
To those considering a similar career transition, Seah offers simple but heartfelt advice: “Be bold and be prepared.”
“There will be challenges but stay positive and do not give up. Prepare yourself well beforehand, press on, and seek the support of your leader and team if you need a boost,” she says.
Seah admits she experienced many sleepless nights before deciding to leave her previous career and comfort zone to begin a new chapter filled with uncertainty. Yet taking the leap not only fulfilled her aspirations, but also allowed her to spend more quality time with her family and focus on self-care.
“You never know when your next pay cheque will come, or whether your savings may eventually run low, so I gave myself a timeline of one year as a trial,” she shares.
To those considering following in her footsteps, she advises: “Prepare yourself well for your next move and be bold enough to take action.”
Driven by passion and unwavering integrity, Seah is steadily establishing herself as a trusted name in the industry. With every transaction she handles, she continues to build not only a career, but also a reputation defined by sincerity, dedication and results.
For more information,
Contact Dionne Seah | 89104459
Associate Director (R068739A)
BRILLIANCE CAPITAL PTE. LTD.