Inaugural Lionheart Awards spotlight real estate agents driving industry standards

ONLINE real estate marketplace PropertyGuru launched its inaugural Lionheart Awards last month to honour property agents who exemplify professionalism, service excellence and a commitment to uplifting an industry by meeting rising expectations of tech-savvy clients.

At a ceremony held on Nov 12 at Raffles Sentosa Singapore – attended by more than 350 industry leaders, partners and agents – PropertyGuru recognised 18 agents for making a lasting impact in building trust and advancing professional standards within Singapore’s real estate industry.

“These individuals embody service excellence, resilience and leadership, building trust with clients while inspiring peers to grow and serve with purpose,” said Lewis Ng, chief executive officer of PropertyGuru Group.

“This is what the real estate profession should stand for, and what we at PropertyGuru will continue to champion.”

A sector shaped by rising expectations

The Lionheart Awards come at a time when the role of property agents has expanded significantly.

Over the past two decades, property agents in Singapore have become more than just middlemen or brokers who connected two parties and facilitated transactions. These days, they are also professional advisers, consultants and full-service partners to buyers and sellers.

With buyers’ needs evolving and becoming more complex – considering factors such as long-term investment value, resale potential, rental yield and financial planning – agents are increasingly expected to do more than just facilitate a sale.

To cater to specific customer lifestyle preferences, many agents now develop deeper expertise in certain property types – such as HDB resale, luxury condos or landed properties – as well as in serving specific client groups such as expats, investors and first-time buyers. Such specialisation allows them to offer clearer value compared to a one-size-fits-all approach.

Beyond providing a broad view of market conditions, agents now connect the dots across price trends, neighbourhood dynamics and upcoming developments. They lean into their professional networks to surface early insights – from homes that may soon be listed to buyers preparing to enter the market – allowing them to guide clients with information that emerges before it becomes publicly visible.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, digital tools have become second nature to many agents – from virtual walkthroughs and 360-degree tours to online listings and social media marketing. These tools help agents reach a wider pool of potential buyers and reshape how homes are discovered and experienced.

This evolution in the real estate market in Singapore, and more broadly across South-east Asia, has been accelerated by the rise of “PropTech” platforms such as PropertyGuru.

Since its launch in Singapore in 2007, PropertyGuru has offered buyers and renters a centralised online marketplace where they can browse thousands of property listings instead of relying heavily on offline networks, word-of-mouth or real estate agents showing them a handful of properties.

Today, PropertyGuru says it matches some 32 million property seekers each month with over 50,000 agents registered on its platform.

Recognising industry contributions

The inaugural Lionheart Awards recognised a total of 18 agents across key categories – including Agent of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Community Impact Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award – reflecting the depth and diversity of talent shaping Singapore’s property landscape.

Winners and awardees were selected through a comprehensive internal evaluation process, with more than 50 nominations based on clear criteria spanning professional performance, client service, mentorship impact and community contribution.

Kavin Kuah from ERA Realty Network won the Agent of the Year award. Kuah was recognised for demonstrating outstanding performance across key metrics such as exceptional transaction volume, an extensive portfolio of active listings, superior client service and significant impact on Singapore’s property landscape through PropertyGuru.

Three agents were recognised as Rookie of the Year in different real estate categories: Zaccheus Sabai from PropNex for condo sales, Isaac Chew from Singapore Estate Agency for HDB and Mei Tan from Orange Tee & Tie for landed property.

The trio were celebrated for being the most promising new entrants who, within their first year in the industry, demonstrated exceptional potential, professionalism and commitment to growth.

“Receiving the Rookie of the Year award is incredibly humbling and encouraging,” said Sabai from PropNex. “This recognition motivates me to keep raising the bar for myself, and for the clients who place their trust in me.”

Serene Goh from ERA Realty Network won the Community Impact Award for making a lasting contribution to Singapore’s real estate sector, and inspiring peers through her leadership, vision and integrity.

“For me, being an agent also means showing up for the communities we serve,” said Goh.

“This award is a meaningful reminder of why giving back is essential and why every act of service counts.”

In every profession, there are select individuals who build a legacy by inspiring peers and shaping the very standards of the profession. One such person is Ismail Gafoor, executive chairman of PropNex, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contributions to the industry.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always believed in uplifting our industry and serving Singapore’s homebuyers and sellers with integrity, professionalism and purpose, said Gafoor.

“I am grateful for this meaningful recognition from PropertyGuru, whose continued leadership and innovation are helping to advance the real estate industry for all of us.”

The PropertyGuru Lionheart Awards will continue to be held annually to recognise industry role models who set the benchmark for conduct, contribution and professionalism, and support a more trusted, progressive real estate ecosystem, the company said in a statement.

“The PropertyGuru Lionheart Awards redefine what success means in Singapore’s real estate industry,” said Ng. “It recognises agents who lead by example through professionalism, mentorship and meaningful contributions that elevate the profession.”