Special Feature

System over luck: How Desiree Leung built a 6-figure real estate career while raising three kids

October 13, 2025 3:00 PM SGT

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Her philosophy is simple but powerful: success isn’t luck, it’s a system. (Picture: EdgeProp Singapore)

When you imagine a top property agent, you may picture someone working around the clock: late nights, all hustle, little work-life balance.

Desiree Leung, senior marketing director at ERA Realty Network, flips that script. As a mother of three, she has built a six-figure monthly income by designing systems, refining strategies, and delivering consistent, high-quality service.

The numbers, ratings, and recognitions back her up. Leung’s profile on PropertyGuru shows that she has completed 106 past transactions in three years, with a perfect 5.0 rating from reviews. These transactions span resale, rental, and landed/condominium project sales, depicting her versatility across different markets.

Among her strengths, clients consistently highlight her marketing and negotiation skills, expertise, reliability, and service quality, with perfect scores in each.

Leung has also been recognised among the top achievers at her agency. She won the award for being in the Top 1% of ERA agents in June, which is a signifier of both volume of transactions and consistent performance.

“Real estate isn’t just a career for me but a business,” she explains. “And like any successful business, it runs on systems, not emotions or chance.”

Leung believes in focusing on high-impact actions instead of chasing every opportunity. (Picture: Desiree Leung)

From rookie to rainmaker

Leung’s career in property did not start with immediate success. Like many in the industry, her early years were filled with trial and error, missed opportunities, rejected proposals, and late nights learning the ropes. But instead of being discouraged, she used these experiences to refine her process.

“I realised early on that I couldn’t afford to wing it,” she recalls. “So, I built frameworks: from client acquisition systems to running a team of full-timers covering everything from marketing to administration. Over time, they became second nature and scalable.”

Balancing a demanding career with family responsibilities is no easy feat, especially with three children. Yet Leung has managed to do just that without compromising either her role as a mother or her responsibilities to her clients.

Leung’s record spans resale, rental, and project sales across multiple market segments. (Picture: Desiree Leung)

“I time-block everything, from client meetings to family dinners. It’s not glamorous but it’s discipline and what works,” she shares.

Her meticulous time management has allowed her to consistently deliver results to her clients while ensuring her children never feel sidelined. For Leung, success isn’t about working hard but about working smart.

“When you’re a working mum with three children, every minute counts. I don’t chase everything and focus only on high-impact actions now. That’s how I manage to close multiple million-dollar deals and still show up at home.”

From late nights of trial and error to a structured business model, her journey defines growth. (Picture: Desiree Leung)

System over hustle

Leung’s story challenges the romanticised idea of “hustle culture” in real estate. While many agents believe in grinding endlessly for results, she insists that consistency comes from systems, not sheer exhaustion.

Success isn’t luck — it’s a system.

“I don’t rely on luck or hope,” she says firmly. “I rely on statistics, planning, and execution. From prospecting to post-sale follow-ups, everything I do is mapped out.”

Her workflows cover every stage of the client journey: lead generation through value-driven social media content, conversion through trust-based consultations, and long-term relationships through personalised after-sale follow-ups.

This approach allows her to scale her efforts and maintain consistency even during busy periods or when family needs require her attention.

For clients and agents alike, Leung represents modern real estate leadership built on clarity, consistency, and care. (Picture: Desiree Leung)

Authenticity and real results

For Leung, the proof is in her experience. She has repeatedly crossed the six-figure monthly income threshold through a disciplined system that she can replicate week after week and month after month.

“I’ve systemised how I serve my clients, handle objections, build referrals, and create content that converts. That’s why my results are consistent, not seasonal,” she explains.

Her philosophy, “system over luck”, has become a mantra she shares with both her clients and mentees. It’s a reminder that success in real estate, as in life, is built, brick upon brick.

While her systems provide structure, what truly sets Leung apart is her authenticity. On social media, where she posts daily insights and behind-the-scenes stories, she does not shy away from sharing both the highs and the challenges of her work.

From smooth closings to complex negotiations involving upgrading from HDBs to landed homes, her content offers a transparent look at what it really takes to succeed in property.

“Success is not about viral videos or quick wins,” she says. “It’s about consistent, value-driven service and a process that delivers results again and again.”

This authenticity has not only built her credibility with clients but also attracted aspiring agents who see her as a role model of balance, professionalism, and resilience.

A mother of three, she has built a six-figure monthly income while maintaining family balance. (Picture: Desiree Leung)

Looking ahead

Beyond her personal achievements, Leung is committed to empowering the next generation of agents. She invests in her team by providing structure and mentorship, helping new agents avoid the mistakes she made early in her career.

Her experience of handling harassment has also fuelled her mission to highlight safety and female empowerment in the industry. By reframing challenges into opportunities to showcase integrity and strength, she has built a reputation for resilience.

“I want new agents, especially women, to know that this industry doesn’t require you to sacrifice family, integrity, or your well-being. With the right systems, you can have both success and balance.”

Leung’s vision for the future extends beyond her personal career. She hopes to scale her impact by mentoring more agents and reaching broader audiences, including Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking clients, through her content.

Leung is a clear example of what modern real estate leadership looks like: systems over luck, authenticity over hype, consistency over occasional flash. With more than 100 transactions in three years, perfect client ratings, internal recognitions, a strong online presence, and a thriving team setup, she is not just talking credibility, she is building it.

For clients who seek strategy, clarity, and long-term service, Leung represents a standard that many agents aspire to. For agents looking to be mentored, her journey offers a roadmap: build systems, invest in reputation, balance well, and let the results speak.