Tan's trust and rapport with clients, along with his customer-centric focus, have led to repeat business and referrals. Award recognition and positive testimonials underscore his potential for greatness in the industry.
It might surprise his clients to know that realtor Tan Jia Da chose to give up a successful role as an investment manager in a real estate investment trust (REIT).
Though young, he had been on the rise, working in successful teams and being involved in 11 large real estate commercial transactions totalling $1.8 billion.
However, the banking and finance major chose to give up the stable and what some may regard as an exciting and prestigious career in exchange for a path with an uncertain paycheck as a property realtor.
Tan recalls how he worked as part of a team to get the best deals, handling due diligence and financial analysis to evaluate potential opportunities. “It was not easy, but seeing that my efforts provided value to my teammates was the biggest push to do better,” shares Tan.
Tan celebrates another successful sale. (Picture: Tan Jia Da)
“In the past, at the end of every deal I used to joke with my ex-colleagues about how perhaps we ourselves should be the real estate agents instead: share unique selling points of these projects with prospective buyers, and provide expertise as an M&A advisor — in return for a commission of a large transaction!” he adds.
Little did he know that his first experience in purchasing his home would inspire him to bring that very vision into life, as he merged his own strengths as an analyst with new-found knowledge in real-estate sales.
In a short few years, Tan has since carved out a successful career in the real estate industry, leveraging his analytical skills and data-driven mindset to excel in ways he did not expect.
Tan celebrating with his client who just purchased an Executive Condominium. (Picture: Tan Jia Da)
In fact, Tan used to be sceptical of real estate agents and how they operate.
Then aged 29, Tan was newly exposed to the Singapore residential markets when he sought to find a home for his family. “I found myself putting up walls whenever I speak to a realtor, regardless of their intention. I’d also avoid sharing more information about my family,” recalls Tan.
“We had been looking to buy two properties: one for my parents and another for myself, for our own stay,” he adds. “Unfortunately, with this initial distrust of agents, it was harder to get clarity of the residential real estate market in Singapore.”
Tan eventually selected his family homes based on his family’s needs. However, he felt that having limited market knowledge of residential real estate in Singapore and emotions clouding his judgement was not the best way for him to buy or invest in property in future.
Eventually, he realised that clients like himself, who found it hard to open up, would make it harder for any agent to advise and help select homes based on their needs.
“Perhaps I just needed someone I trust to openly share with me what they understood of the residential real estate markets, and that’s what I aim to be when I serve my clients now.”
Tan's motivation is none other than his family. (Picture: Tan Jia Da)
This sparked a new interest in Tan to find out more about real estate investing. As his wife was expecting a baby at that time, he also began to consider switching to a different role where he can have greater control of his time, in order to spend his time with family and baby more effectively.
Tan says: “I decided that with my skills as an investment manager, I would be well-placed to help people make informed decisions in buying or selling homes. I want to reach out to the many ‘old Jia Das’ like me out there, the many laymen out there, to help them understand what I know now and make informed decisions for their purchase.”
This, understandably, is the minimum expectations for a professional whose work and investment papers presented to his previous role’s investment committee were always backed by research and sound data.
Tan’s early roles in asset management and investments within REITs exposed him to diverse real estate portfolios, including retail and office properties and data centres across the Asia Pacific and European regions. At the same time, his analyst background provides him with a solid foundation in understanding financial statements and conveying complex information effectively.
These skills, when translated into his new role as a realtor, gave him a competitive edge as he explored different opportunities in the real estate sector for his clients.
“A pivotal moment in my previous career was when I first transitioned from an asset management-focused role to a more fast-paced, investment-focused role,” Tan recalls. This move allowed him to hone his skills in financial analysis, due diligence — ultimately preparing him for a bright future in the real estate business.
Using an approach rooted in data and research, Tan now shares a three-step framework for his clients, with the first step being to present market information and knowledge to his clients, empowering them to make informed decisions. He says that this is akin to the way he used to present recommendations to CEOs and heads of investments in his past role.
“Except this time, my CEO is the couple or family buying or selling their home!” he quips.
Surprisingly, his preferred method of communicating important and necessary information, such as the client’s internal rate of return, market knowledge and concepts, consists of a simple pen-and-paper method. No fancy excel sheets or complex decks are shown unless requested. “When I show prepared slides, clients would immediately feel that I am presenting with an agenda,” Tan says.
“What’s more important is to present sound research and to be upfront with clients about their options,” he continues. “I would share my views on both the pros and cons of any property and find out if the negatives might be a deal-breaker for clients or not, after listening to their needs and circumstances.”
Tan received his Top 10% Producer award at the PropNex Convention 2024. (Picture: Tan Jia Da)
Despite being a relatively new player in the industry with only three years under his belt, Tan has achieved significant milestones, including a status ranking in the top 10% of Top Producers within PropNex.
In his real estate agent career, the Hwa Chong Institution alumnus aims to be a trusted advisor to his clients, focusing on transparency and education throughout the clients’ whole real estate journey.
“By taking time to discover their needs and then providing tailored solutions, I’m grateful to have garnered a loyal clientele so far — who value my expertise and dedication to them,” he says.
The trust and rapport Tan has built with his clients, coupled with his focus on their needs, has not only led to repeat business but also numerous referrals — a testament that he is indeed made for big things in the industry, as shown by his awards and numerous positive testimonials from appreciative customers.
Tan offering expert guidance based on his analytical real estate insights (Picture: Tan Jia Da)
At the same time, he finds equal satisfaction in the smaller wins, such as the simple joy derived from helping a client find their dream landed home.
“I celebrated that win by buying myself a Casio G-Shock watch,” shares Tan.
When asked why he did not choose a more ostentatious buy — which he could probably well afford from the commission earned — Tan remarks that a meaningful celebration is not about how much money he spends on it.
“I also just really liked that particular watch,” reflects Tan. “Sometimes, that’s all you need to celebrate yourself.”
For more information,
Contact Tan Jia Da | 96900550
ASSOCIATE GROUP DIRECTOR (R064766J)
PROPNEX REALTY PTE. LTD.