Juggling Motherhood and a Career in Real Estate: Balancing Work and Family Through the Seasons

Anthea
Oct 22, 2023
6 min read

Updated: Oct 27, 2023

Juggling Motherhood and a Career in Real Estate: Balancing Work and Family Through the Seasons

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Seasons come and go, at times like a whirlwind, occasionally overlapping. Writing this article was a poignant reflection and constant reminder of God's grace through it all.

Shalom! I am Anthea, wife to an educator, mum to two daughters, a licensed property agent... and this is my journey through the seasons.

Corporate Season

"Control+Alt+Delete" on the keyboard pretty much starts and ends the work day in my corporate life... eons ago!

I was accounting trained and audit was naturally the first stepping stone in my corporate career. Seeing how different businesses operates and observing stock-takes were the norm. A couple years in, I decided to move on to a middle office role at a Financial Institution on the Fixed-Income desk and thereafter an investment analyst in the Capital Markets team with a proprietary fund.

Corporate life then came to an abrupt halt, I was about to give birth to my firstborn.

The Beginning of Motherhood

From conversations of valuations, lines of support and resistance to chats on ergonomic baby carriers, Five in a Row curriculum… From reading literatures by Jim Collins to books on baby led weaning... such was the dramatic change from corporate life to a full-time stay home mum, what some may otherwise term stay-at-home-mother (SAHM).

The shift in emotional and mental mindset was another level to unlock, and it took me almost six months to snap out of mild depression and to begin appreciating and enjoying this new season of motherhood.

The initial agreement my spouse and I concluded on, was a decision for me to stay home as a full-time mum at least for the first year to be the primary caregiver to our daughter. As we reviewed our decision periodically, the duration as the primary care-giver just got extended each time until I was expecting my second child in the fifth year.

Stay Home Mum for a Decade

What I initially envisioned to be a year long career break became a decade long...

The season of motherhood is so precious on hindsight, something my words cannot fully do justice to. The joys and privilege to be able to spend the girls' formative early years with them negates all the mundane chores and chauffeuring duties.

Throughout this period, I found the time to indulge in my interests in the arts and crafts as well as LEGO together with the girls. Learning new sets of skills such as cooking, baking, curating age appropriate curricula etc. There was opportunities to conduct classes for the toddlers in the estate and baking sessions.

With their five year age gap and evolving changes, upgrading home furnishings and spaces is inevitable to suit their growing needs and to provide an ideal environment for them to grow and blossom in.

One of the two main highlights after becoming a mum was attending Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in a day women's class. The relevant and applicable studies stretched and strengthened my faith. The community of sisters is a refreshing addition to my life. God called me into serving in the BSF ministry and it has been such a joy serving in a community which I have benefitted tremendously from.

Embarking on a New Journey into Real Estate

Thoughts of heading back to the workforce became more apparent as the girls are growing older. Kind of like a mid-life crisis, fleeting into another season. I was totally unprepared to head back to a role that I was used to, paired with long working hours because my priority was still my family.

My hubby suggested I take up the Real Estate Salespersons (RES) course to become a property agent since the timing is flexible and the barriers to entry in this profession is relative low. My first instinct was shutting the idea off as I had no intention nor desire to be a salesperson! I did however research on the RES course and just confirmed my initial thoughts that this was not the path for me, as the hours to fulfil the RES course was simply not feasible on my radar coupled with my ongoing mum duties.

The inflection point came during the lockdown period during Covid-19 and it was an opportune time to take up the RES course as lessons were conducted via Zoom. Unsure if taking the course will eventually lead me to take up the license, I enrolled to take up the course nonetheless to hone my skills and knowledge, because I was certain the knowledge would be useful for me as a home owner.

Indeed, the RES course was insightful thanks to the lecturers who made lessons interesting and relevant by citing real life examples of their own past encounters. The course enabled me to understand how to read the URA Master Plan and what it means for the future of Singapore's property landscape, appreciate why certain policies, rules and regulations have changed over the years and much much more...

It was also during the course that I came to realisation that being a property agent is more than just earning commissions through property conveyancing but journeying with your clients as they make one of their biggest purchases of their lives. With that, I signed up for exams upon course completion and successfully became a licensed property agent! This was my second highlight after becoming a mum!

Career as a Property Agent

Property agents Anthea Soon and Vivian Chong

As I approach this new season, I had to look for an agency, an up-line, that I would associate myself with and I knew I needed the support from like-minded folks. I was thankful to have found Vivian Chong. Her stance on empowering women after a career break attracted me to reach out to her and the rest is history. With that, I became part of the larger community of Navis and Huttons.

Property agent training on advisory sales masterclass

This was the beginning of another season. Like all newbies in a new role; training is essential to equip ourselves as a real estate agent. My financial background became an asset and set a good foundation for me as a real estate agent.

Many people underestimate the complexities and demands of being a property agent; to them, it is nothing more than showing the property to prospective clients and then providing an expansion of the unique selling points... Well, I would say that is just the tip of the iceberg after becoming one. There is just so much more to that and its up to the individual how far and beyond you would like to assist and journey with your client.

From the onset of understanding the needs and wants of your clients, to preparing the financial assessments to determine affordability, advising on timelines etc.

One of my clients recently asked what she should be looking for as we went home "shopping". Other than the usual affordability, location, capital appreciation potential, etc., I highlighted that the initial vibe she feels upon entering the space is important as she knows that she will be spending most of her time at home. Buying a home is more instinctive than methodological, and we do have to trust our senses in making our decision.

After viewing one of the units, which I was not quite impressed with, she commented that it was probably at the top on her list as she felt a certain calmness immediately upon entering. Here I was knowing the general "requisites" yet I was reminded of the need to understand and listen to my client. After all, that is my role as a real estate agent, to find the most ideal home for my client.

This has truly been an amazing journey through the seasons that could not have been possible if not for it the lovely support from family and friends. Truly thankful for the new communities I have identified with along the process and blessed in my journey of learning and growth. In my continuous journey, through ever changing seasons, I know that this is my calling and season for now, and I look forward to new adventures with my potential clients in making their dreams a reality.