Special Feature

Building success through relationships: How Jim Leong turns networks into opportunities

August 22, 2025 3:15 PM SGT

Light

Dark

Leong: It’s important to keep an open mind — be willing to share advice and exchange knowledge with others (Picture: EdgeProp Singapore)

Embracing an open mindset and actively seeking out opportunities, Jim Leong, associate senior director at OrangeTee & Tie, firmly believes in the power of building meaningful relationships.

Leong pro-actively seeks out and attends external events and courses, in addition to the training programmes conducted by his company. This way, he gets to engage with professionals across diverse industries which not only expands his knowledge but also continuously broadens his network.

Thus far, he has attended events organised by BNI, as well as arts and charity functions. He recently signed up for a certification course in family office — an initiative that would not only provide him with greater insights on private wealth management but also offers fresh opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.

Leong achieved Top 8 ranking at OrangeTee & Tie in 2024 for outstanding sales performance.(Picture: Jim Leong)

“Attending events and keeping up with emerging trends allow me to better streamline my services to suit clients’ needs,” he highlights. “You never know what new opportunities might arise from networking with fellow participants in a course. It’s important to keep an open mind — be willing to share advice and exchange knowledge with others.”

Armed with over a decade of experience in facilities management, rising to the position of deputy general manager, Leong made a career switch to real estate in 2015. His role as a real estate agent offered greater flexibility and bonding time with his young family, especially his two sons, now aged nine and 10.

His growth mindset, unwavering dedication and consistent performance have reaped results. This year, Leong was honoured with the prestigious Singapore Real Estate Agents Excellence Awards (Platinum), which recognises top-performing agents for their professionalism and achievements. He is also proudly ranked No. 8 among OrangeTee & Tie’s Top 10 Achievers for 2024.

Leong brings over a decade of operations and facilities management expertise, enhancing his real estate advisory with practical, solution-oriented insights tailored to each client's needs. (Picture: Jim Leong)

Meeting clients’ needs with resourcefulness

With the deep operational expertise he brings to his real estate practice, Leong has handled a wide spectrum of transactions over the years. These include sales and rentals of commercial, retail, residential, new launches and HDB properties.

Drawing on his background in facilities and project management, Leong plays a key role in ensuring the spaces are tailored to his clients’ specific needs. “Some clients may require dedicated washrooms, customised data centres, or even help in assessing how best to divide the space into individual rooms,” he explains. “I work closely with them to study the feasibility and ensure the leased space is suitable to support their operations effectively.”

A highlight of Leong’s real estate career was an impressive $60 million deal he brokered for an entire floor of office space in the west. The opportunity came through a referral — an acquaintance of a friend had initially expressed interest in getting their own office instead of leasing it. Over a casual coffee meeting, Leong discovered that the client was seeking a much larger, dedicated space.

After conducting viewings across multiple locations in Singapore, he successfully secured an entire office floor from a developer contact that checked all the boxes in his client’s requirements. “The deal took eight months to close,” he recalls.

With his wealth of experience, Leong has also been Project IC for upmarket project launches where he spearheaded the planning of lead generation and outreach activities. “My team members are already familiar with their roles. I’m there to ensure that everyone’s direction is aligned, reinforcing some dos and don’ts in sales ethics,” he says.

Applying his market expertise and people-first mindset, he builds trust in his clients, guiding them through their property journey with confidence and clarity, helping them make well-informed decisions to optimise their outcomes.

For example, Leong once advised a family of six with a domestic helper who were looking to sell their penthouse in order to upgrade to a larger home. Instead of rushing into a purchase, Leong recommended a more strategic approach: sell first, then rent temporarily to allow time to find the right property with less pressure.

He sourced an affordable and spacious landed home for the family to lease, providing them with the lifestyle they desired. At the same time, he co-brokered the purchase of a tenanted townhouse for them. The rental income from the townhouse not only fully covered their temporary rental costs but also generated a surplus that helped offset part of their monthly loan instalments.

After experiencing landed living, the family realised it was exactly what they wanted long-term. Leong guided them through a decoupling strategy, enabling them to acquire a second property — a landed corner terrace house. Ultimately, his advice and approach allowed the family to move confidently into a higher asset class and achieve their dream home with financial prudence.

“I helped my client overcome his initial misperception of not being able to afford a landed property, arising from economic uncertainties,” says Leong. “I worked on the numbers and showed him that it was doable and achievable — if he was willing to take that first step. His job is relatively stable but there is no such thing as an iron rice bowl. You need to aim for something that is a notch higher by taking some calculated risks. Otherwise, you’ll never see the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

Jim Leong is an Elite Member of this year’s prestigious EdgeProp Realtors' Roundtable, recognising top achievers. (Picture: EdgeProp Singapore)

Every client is unique, with needs that vary depending on their age group and life stage. “For younger clients who are just starting out and still single, their budget typically ranges from $1 million to $1.3 million. If they’re planning to get married, they often look to upgrade to a larger unit, such as a two- or three-bedroom apartment,” Leong explains.

“Those in their early 30s to 40s usually seek more spacious homes to accommodate growing families. In their late 40s or 50s, they begin exploring the possibility of expanding their portfolio to include a second property. Meanwhile, clients in their late 60s or 70s, who face difficulty in taking a loan, may consider right-sizing from a landed home to an HDB flat or condominium, often to be closer to their children,” he says, demonstrating his vast experience in serving clients across a wide age spectrum and needs.

He has also provided pro bono service to help an elderly client cash out from the sale of his HDB flat to relocate to Vietnam. “I usually advise clients with similar profiles to safeguard their wealth in case they get scammed,” he says.

Apart from courses and events, Leong started going for regular gym sessions to stay fit and meet new people, easily forming connections through his approachable and friendly demeanour.

“You need to broaden your network and connect with more people. It might lead to new opportunities, or it might not — and that’s okay,” he adds.