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Home of the REB Top 100 Agents

Translating soft skills into sales

By Orana Durney-Benson
29 November 2023 | 10 minute read
annabelle feng RT edgar reb gsd643

Annabelle Feng, RT Edgar Boroondara director, knows that soft skills are the key to succeeding in Melbourne’s diverse housing market.

With over 15 years of experience in the dynamic world of property, Ms Feng is an agent with her finger on east Melbourne’s cultural pulse.

Her experience is clearly serving her well: in 2023, Ms Feng ranked 18th in REB’s Top 50 Agents Victoria, with a staggering $207 million worth of property sales sold under her watch that year.

Unlike many other veteran agents, she did not start out as a young gun agent, having kickstarted her career as a radio broadcaster in China and New Zealand. Ultimately, however, it was the Melbourne housing market that won this globetrotter’s interest.

Now, the high-performing agent calls the leafy neighbourhood of Boroondara in Melbourne’s east home, an area renowned for its historic charm, diverse blend of housing types and resilient property market.

“The transition from radio to real estate was smoother than most would think,” said Ms Feng. “Skills in effective communication and storytelling, honed in radio, seamlessly transferred to real estate, where marketing involves showcasing properties to potential buyers.”

“The ability to connect with diverse audiences remains a crucial element for success in both industries,” she said.

In recent years, property experts around the country have been underscoring the importance of soft skills in building effective client relationships. For Ms Feng, these interpersonal skills have been one of her greatest assets throughout her real estate career.

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In particular, Ms Feng’s bilingual communication skills have given her a remarkable edge in the East Melbourne market.

“Over the past decade, the Melbourne property market has experienced a notable shift, and what makes it unique today is the rapid growth in population, fuelled by increased immigration,” she stated.

“Being bilingual in English and Chinese provides a significant advantage in the eastern Melbourne real estate market, where a growing number of Chinese-speaking residents and investors are present.”

Ms Feng shared that her linguistic proficiency allowed her to establish deeper connections with clients who prefer communicating in their native language. In turn, she sees this bilingualism as a way to foster trust and navigate cultural nuance with skill and sensitivity.

Looking forward, she hopes to use the same core skills in communication and connection to enrich the real estate industry.

“I aspire to be a leading figure in the industry, leveraging my experience to mentor and guide emerging professionals,” Ms Feng shared.

“Ultimately, I want to leave a lasting positive impact on the real estate landscape and the communities I serve, ensuring a legacy of trust, integrity, and exceptional service.”

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