Special Feature

From blueprints to big deals: Donavan Tan is making moves in real estate

August 22, 2025 4:30 PM SGT

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Tan: You don’t need to be the smartest or richest guy in the room. You just need heart and the hustle to match it. (Picture: EdgeProp Singapore)

When Donavan Tan left his role as a mechanical engineer at a statutory board during the uncertainty of Covid-19, he wasn’t running from something, though he didn’t realise it then. He was running towards something greater: a career where he could thrive in a fast-paced environment, empower others and serve with sincerity.

Today, Tan isn’t just a successful real estate agent who transacted over $88 million worth of properties in his first two years.

From the outside, it might look like a dramatic switch — from gears and schematics to property portfolios and client consultations — but to Tan, the path made perfect sense.

“I was already dabbling in property investments,” he says. “It started with a casual dinner conversation with three friends in 2019. We ended up buying a two-bedroom unit at Stirling Residences together. That first experience planted the seed.”

Real estate was not the obvious next step. After the pandemic disrupted his team and led to redundancy, Tan found himself at a career crossroads. With only $10,000 in his bank account and few job prospects, he knew he had to act. He cashed in his life insurance, a policy his mother had set up for him, and plunged headfirst into real estate.

“I had to pass the licensing exam, and honestly, my English wasn’t great,” he admits with a laugh. “I failed the first time. But that didn’t stop me. I passed on the second try, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Tan achieved rising millionaire status and crossed $1.03 million in commissions by year two. (Picture: Donavan Tan)

Be consistent

Within his first year in the industry, Tan achieved rising millionaire status — an accolade awarded to promising new agents who cross a significant earnings threshold. By year two, he had surpassed $1.03 million in personal commissions.

“It wasn’t just about the money. I was hungry to learn, and I knew I needed a mentor who matched my values,” he adds. “That’s how I found Chris. He was sharp, driven, and taught me how to read people, anticipate objections, and really connect.”

This mentor-mentee relationship became a cornerstone of Tan’s early success. He didn’t just absorb knowledge; he applied it rigorously.

“This job is not easy. In the early days, I was always grinding hard,” Tan says candidly. “In the early days, I made sure I was always doing something to add towards my career.” From refining his pitch to developing a strong social media presence that now brings him leads, Tan demonstrates the power of consistent, focused self-improvement.

He believes in chasing genuine client connections rather than chasing commissions. (Picture: Donavan Tan)

Connection closes deals

It isn’t just business acumen that sets Tan apart; it’s his heart. He recalls a story that left a lasting impression: an elderly couple who had been misled by a previous agent who sold their flat without securing a new home for them. Left in limbo, they turned to Tan in desperation.

“They were in a really bad situation. No agent wanted to help them. It was heartbreaking,” he says. “I took the case, and we eventually found them a home that suited their needs. We even planned out the renovations together, and I helped with their banking needs. Seeing their relief when they finally settled in, that’s what it’s about.”

Tan believes in leading with authenticity. Whether guiding a couple through their first property purchase or helping a new agent close their first deal, he insists on one principle: sincerity. As he says: “People can feel it when you’re being real. That’s why I don’t chase commissions. I chase connections.”

Since 2023, Tan has been actively mentoring and training new agents. (Picture: Donavan Tan)

Building the next generation

Today, Tan channels that same energy into mentorship. Since June last year, he has been actively recruiting and training new agents, many inspired by his own story. “One of my friends quietly watched my journey from the sidelines. He saw how far I’d come, reached out to me, and decided to give real estate a shot. He passed his exams on the first try and is now thriving,” he beams.

Tan’s long-term goal is ambitious: to build a community of 500 empowered and ethical professionals by 2032. Inspired by industry veterans, he is laying the foundation for a leadership style grounded in encouragement, personal growth and shared success.

He regularly provides training on project presentations, financial planning and branding strategies. He’s also known for sharing educational content on social media, often delivered with his trademark enthusiasm and charm. “It’s not about selling property. It’s about helping people see what’s possible: for themselves, for their families, for their futures.”

His vision is to leave behind more than sales records — he aims to empower 500 agents by 2032. (Picture: Donavan Tan)

Juggling life and legacy

Despite his swift rise, Tan has not allowed success to compromise his personal life. If anything, it has made him more disciplined. “To be honest, I’ve never been much of a saver!” he laughed, sharing that it was natural for him to splurge on vacations and eating out all the time.

Now that he earns a commission-based salary, he follows a personal rule to keep a baseline cash buffer in his bank account, uses CPF strategically to minimise tax liabilities, and adopts long-term strategies for his investments, often treating himself as his own client. “I hope my partner and I will own multiple properties in time to come. It’s all about building a solid portfolio,” he says. “But without compromising our travel plans, I still want to enjoy life. It’s a balance.”

Coming from a modest background — his parents run a provision shop and his siblings work in traditional careers — Tan is driven by a commitment to give back. He has organised leadership camps, supported new agents through learning sessions, and continues to develop tools and resources for aspiring property professionals.

Despite success, he prioritises balance between wealth-building and enjoying life. (Picture: Donavan Tan)

His parents are also benefiting from having a devoted son, who remains grateful for their support when he first began a career in sales, a path many Asian families often view with caution. “I’m treating them to a dream vacation to see the Northern Lights in Norway,” Tan beams, obviously overjoyed at being able to provide this special experience to his folks.

Energetic, outspoken and introspective, Tan attributes his transformation to overcoming early bullying at school and embracing a more extroverted side of himself. “Back then, I didn’t trust people easily. But real estate changed me. You have to show up as your full self: confident, caring, consistent.”

If there is one thing he wants people to take from his journey, it is this: “You don’t need to be the smartest or richest guy in the room. You just need heart, and the hustle to match it.”