Most people need to make a living of sorts, and every job has its ups and downs. It does, however, help if you enjoy the work you do.
Lourdes MuscatI wouldn’t have done this job for so many years if I didn’t derive satisfaction from it. In my job, it is important to deliver a service to clients with passion. You need to stop thinking about non-commercial properties as merely houses, but also as potential homes or investments. That is when you start to factor in the vital detail that you are helping families or individuals choose the most suitable home, or the investment they need most.
This is what I love most – the happiness that stems from choosing the most fitting places for the right families or single investors. Experience in the business has really enabled me to develop a sense of what is best for different family units with varying circumstances and feeling of really having been able to help someone with such a crucial decision is priceless. There is also the genuine bond that arises out of sharing experiences with a family over the home they have recently acquired – for instance, their delight for their new garden or the wonderful feeling of being able to enjoy a new space with a beloved pet.
Of course, jobs in every line of work bring challenges with them, and property consultation is no exception. Among the frustrations I have to deal with on a regular basis is Malta’s traffic situation as I navigate from one property or client to the next or even difficult clients.
The latter is something anyone who provides a service needs to get accustomed to. However, a little empathy goes a long way to doing this job well. This is where a heightened sense of professionalism comes in – not allowing the pitfalls of the job to affect you personally.
One of the best things about my job is that there is no fixed schedule and the excitement of not having a mundane routine. A typical week might include a Monday morning meeting to discuss and review the team’s progress with respect to the properties listed and the exchange of experiences, as well as calling clients to follow up on the places shown and give/receive feedback. Making sure that the administrative work is kept up to date is also necessary to keep things running smoothly – so constantly keeping track of the paperwork concerning the listings is usually included.
It is important to deliver a service to clients with passion
Naturally, an essential portion of the duties involves making viewing appointments and showing properties to prospective buyers, but a good amount of my work is of an advisory nature, making sure clients realise that the property is being sold for the right reasons and at the appropriate price.
A client making a rash decision when selling or buying property is the last thing I want, so, together with my colleagues, we have a personal connection with the properties we find or sell. I also feel strongly about the fact that we are team players, always ready to thrash things out together and lend each other a helping hand.
Another advantageous aspect of my job is the ability to work flexible hours. If my day starts to feel stressful, I can always fit in some kind of activity to help me let off steam and relax, such as attending a yoga or zumba class.
My favourite properties are typical Maltese townhouses because of the myriad features such wonderful buildings have, such as large apertures allowing in plenty of natural light, colourful balconies, a structure and materials that allow the houses to keep cool in the oppressive Maltese summer heat or walls that can easily be plastered.
Another element people forget about these buildings is that these old houses point to a facet of Maltese identity which is part and parcel of our heritage and environment – the fact that we are islanders. Taking a proper look at how they have been constructed allows both local and foreign buyers an insight into how the Maltese lived in bygone times.
I feel lucky to be involved in a sector that plays such a fundamental role in people’s happiness, important investments and sense of place.
Pierre Faure Real Estate is currently looking for the right people to join their team. Those looking for a new career path can write to info@pierrefaure.com.