By Pam Bailie
“Before you sell property, you need to sell yourself.”
Making a good first impression and building long term relationships are just some of the qualities that define our top performer and Emerald Circle agent, Cathy Compion.
As much as it is a great privilege to be acknowledged as one the most successful agents in Southern Africa’s leading property group and being awarded Emerald Circle status, Cathy is unwavering in her belief that she could not have done it without her loyal family, inspirational colleagues and most importantly, her trusted clients.
“I have had a truly amazing year and one of my greatest triumphs must be attributed to the rapid off-plan sales of the new lifestyle development, The Regency Hotel and Apartments in Pretoria. All thanks must go to Retha Schutte, Regional Pam Golding Properties Executive, who entrusted me with the exclusive mandate to sell this exceptional development.
However, as our founder Pam Golding always said, “it not just a sales job. It’s about living the part, having empathy.”
“Our brand has a strong reputation and I have never come across any person who did not know who Mrs Pam Golding was. The legacy this awesome woman has left behind is phenomenal and I am honoured to be part of this family. As agents I know that we all share the same values and strive to always be insightful, intuitive, authentic and honest.
Having achieved success in the Old Pretoria East area since 2000, Cathy says that it all starts with putting your clients first and building trusting, long-standing relationships to ensure future business and ongoing referrals.
“The relationships I have built with the clients, resulted in many referral opportunities as well as the same clients returning to buy more than one investment property. Our unique “Pam legacy”, which is one of genuine warmth and a passion for people, are qualities that my clients relate to. Along with an uncompromising commitment to delivering on our clients’ needs is what sets us apart when it comes to exceeding all expectations in real estate.”
Cathy lives in Waterkloof Ridge and has become a household name in the community thanks to her outgoing personality and keen involvement on many levels. As a resident agent she says she is definitely not a ‘secret agent’, and in her opinion, making a good impression is what gets people taking about you and connecting with you.
“I think that as a resident agent you become part of a wider family. We have children at the same local schools, attend the same churches and do shopping at the same retailers. Having invested in posters and ads in the area, I am already ‘known’ when I arrive at a client’s home. I am often warmly greeted with, ‘Hey, aren’t you the lady on the poster?’ It’s a worthwhile investment and great ice-breaker.”
“I am able to relate to people in one way or another and will try to communicate and share information on a level comfortable to my client. I often find myself counselling and supporting clients emotionally when selling their homes. However, I have found that timing is of the greatest importance and when necessary I can be firm or even walk away from someone if circumstances are not acceptable to me or my company’s code of ethics.”
“However,” comments Cathy, “the old-fashioned way of staying in touch remains a crucial routine in my day to day activities – telecanvassing, flyers dropped in the area with a follow up call the week thereafter and congratulating my clients on their birthdays or special achievements.”
When asked what the ‘Pam Golding Difference’ means to her, Cathy highlights the digital advances and additional services that offer a unique support system to successful agents.
“Having worked in other established real estate companies before, I know that Pam Golding Properties is far more advanced in terms of IT, Social Media, branding and agent support as well as digital marketing. Additional services such as Savills, Zoopla and now BidX1 make us the obvious choice, because we offer so much more than our competitors.”
“I enjoy loading my listings on our in-house Alchemy site and make use of the activity report to keep my sellers informed of activities on their property. In this way I can price council clients with proven data and facts.”
Cathy is convincing in her argument that sellers stand to lose out if they don’t sell their homes on exclusive mandate with her.
“I have various marketing options to offer motivated sellers and am committed to providing each of my clients with a unique property experience. Each real estate transaction is different and deserves a specialised marketing plan which I can only commit to if I am entrusted with an exclusive mandate. I always share my previous successes in this regard and show just how serious I am about keeping my promises to market their property effectively, find the perfect buyer and get the best price possible for them.”
As our top, not so secret agent, Cathy has the final word when it comes to what makes her cringe the most about unprofessional estate agents. “There are a few things, like lack of integrity and knowledge, incorrect information and spelling errors on advertisements; but the worst are the pictures that some agents put on the Internet. From open toilets to dirty pools and unmade beds, cluttered kitchens and bathrooms. My word, what a way a advertise your client’s property!”
And that could well be the single most important reason to have an experienced, dedicated agent like Cathy when selling your home.
In closing, we share a client testimonial sent to Cathy’s principle, Retha Schutte.
“Dear Ms Retha Schutte, it is with great pleasure that I wish to congratulate you on your colleague who has become my friend, namely, Cathy Compion. I have experienced only dedication and the utmost professionalism from her. I have had dealings with many agents in the past, however, Cathy stands way above the rest!” Santie Boonzaier
To contact Cathy you may call her on 084 555 5616 on view her profile on the Pam Golding Properties website.
