Yahoo Finance Finding forever homes: How Douglas Quah provides unique, buyer-centric services
Douglas Quah provides quality advisory services catering specifically to buyers' needs
“Depending on their priorities, a new launch may not always be the best option.” – Douglas Quah
Douglas Quah's goal is to help people find their forever home. The seasoned realtor has helped clients discover the perfect property that suits their needs for over a decade. He shines in the private non-landed residential space, with years of experience helping clients buy condos in newly launched projects and the resale market.
Quah's systematic thinking uncovered a market imbalance harming property buyers in this segment. While homeowners are usually spoilt for choice when finding a good agent to help them sell a home, the same is not necessarily true for those looking to buy a home. “Often, buyers are not able to find an agent they can trust, or they feel they don’t require the services of an agent,” he says.
On the flip side, there tend to be fewer agents willing to serve buyers as compared to sellers. The former may demand more time and effort, which are finite resources, while commissions tend to be lower. “There are only so many clients one realtor can handle, so many choose to work mostly with clients selling a property,” Quah adds.
Recognising this market gap, Quah was motivated to seek a solution. A former engineer, his methodical problem-solving skills soon brought him the answer: To provide quality advisory services catering specifically to buyers' needs.
Quah's focus on this niche has paid off, evident in the numerous accolades he has received, affirming his successful career. These include the prestigious Diamond Achiever Award granted to ERA agents who achieve a six-figure monthly commission. He has also consistently ranked among the top 7% of the agency’s highest producers.
Common mistake
Quah focuses predominantly on condos in District 9 and the Marina Bay area, where he has an extensive track record in new project launches and the resale market. As such, he has an in-depth understanding of the condos in the area and buyer behaviour.
When it comes to new launches, a common mistake he has observed buyers make is deciding to buy based on the hype surrounding the project. “Rather than evaluating whether the property is a good fit for their needs, many buyers tend to base their decision on emotions and what everyone else is doing,” he explains.
This can be detrimental to the buyer, as the decision is based more on the fear of missing out than whether it aligns with their goals and circumstances. He adds that in today’s digital age, while it has certainly become easier for buyers to find information and even transact properties directly, having a knowledgeable agent with on-the-ground expertise to turn to for advice can mean a world of difference.
That is where Quah comes in. “I remind my clients to step back and look at the broader scope while also helping to make sure they avoid pitfalls,” he says. He reckons appointing an agent to help when looking to buy a property is just as vital, if no more so, than selling property. “There are so many moving parts, so it’s important to have an agent to help throughout the process to avoid overlooking anything.”
Quah has helped countless find their dream home including his client Cayla, pictured here on the left
Buyer-centric focus
Quah advocates for a holistic approach when advising clients. This means considering all factors pertinent to the decision-making, such as the client’s finances and housing preferences, whether they have to sell their current home, and the available inventory in the market.
The decision should also factor in whether it makes sense for the buyer to opt for a new launch or to turn to the resale market. “Depending on their priorities, a new launch may not always be the best option,” he adds. Quah helps buyers fully explore all choices available so they can decide which type of property makes the most sense for them.
As a property agent well-established in District 9 and the Marina Bay area, he also offers further value-add to his clients built on his vast knowledge and networks. Over the years, he has built an extensive database of the properties under his coverage. With this database, Quah can drill down to a specific development and see at a glance which units are available, which units are leased out, and current rental rates.
He admits that maintaining such a database, which requires constant updating and checking in with his network of trusted co-broking agents, is not easy. But by doing the hard work, he can provide immense value to his clients. “They can skip the hassle of calling various agents across different listings, saving so much time.”
Taking it further, the database allows Quah to narrow down units that suit clients’ requirements quickly. “For example, if a buyer is looking specifically for a unit with high rental returns, or they have been eyeing a particular type of unit within a development, I can quickly filter the information through those lenses to find those exact units.”
Building relationships
Quah’s clients get free access to his invaluable database when they use his services. This is because agents that service buyers typically earn commissions not from their clients but from the co-broking fees received from the salesperson representing the seller in a deal.
He is providing his expertise without guaranteeing that he will be remunerated for his efforts. But Quah does not see that as a deterring factor: As an agent focused on tackling what he views as an underserved market, he believes what is more important is to build good relationships. “Even if a client doesn’t purchase a property with me today, we may work together again somewhere down the line,” Quah adds. “As long as I maintain good relationships and work hard, everything else will fall in line.”
Quah's down-to-earth approach has proven successful, resulting in a loyal client base.
One such client is Cayla, who first met him when she was looking for a unit in Sophia Hills, the 493-unit condo at Mount Sophia. Quah quickly narrowed down the type of unit she was looking for and arranged viewings for shortlisted units within a short time. Cayla says she appreciated his thoroughness and ability to return quickly with potential properties. “He went above and beyond, showing me different units, even those being marketed by other agents,” she remembers.
She also appreciated how seamless it was to work with him. “He took the time to help me understand what would be a good buy or not, and always gave a clear picture about the property, rather than just trying to sell it.” She purchased her dream home and remains friends with Quah, whom she has also recommended to friends and family.
For Quah, his work with Cayla is just one example of the many relationships he has built and will continue building. As he continues to offer his unique suite of services targeted at buyers, he plans to expand his coverage to cover other areas, starting with Districts 10 and 11. At the same time, he hopes to build a team dedicated to buyers. “By growing a team, I’ll be able to help more buyers get access to quality advice when buying a property.”
For more information,
Contact DOUGLAS QUAH | 93389174
Branch Division Director (R024659C)
ERA REALTY NETWORK PTE LTD
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