A dream to hit 10,000

DESPITE being saddled with weak property market sentiments, Singapore's largest property agency ERA has kept itself busy, generating activities to stimulate sales and indeed, expanding its workforce. In both 2014 and 2015, ERA crossed the 6,000 registered salesperson mark. Not one to rest on its laurels, the firm already has plans to grow its base to 10,000 agents. No mean feat given that in the last year alone, over 50 agencies have shuttered their business, and close to 4,000 real estate agents dropped out of the industry.

But as summed up by ERA's chief executive officer, Jack Chua, there are always people who want to buy, sell, or rent regardless of market conditions. "Our role," says Mr Chua, " is to find and facilitate the transactions".

Being able to read the market and adapt to it is one of the agency's key strengths. In view of home loan curbs denting the agency's sales for instance, ERA broadened their focus and reach across various market segments in order to drive more income to their agents.