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Name: Leonie Ter Bruges
title: Agency Managing Partner, Costa Blanca Norte
experience: 23 years
Place: Costa Blanca, Spain
Brokerage company name: Costa Blanca Northern Agency
Team size: 4
How did you get started in real estate?
I moved to Spain from the Netherlands 25 years ago to run a family business in a local town in the Costa Blanca region. Through this business, I met one of the largest builders in the area, who offered me a sales position in 2001.
After eight years of selling beautiful new construction projects, I joined an established brokerage in the area and focused more on the resale market, and I have been in the real estate industry ever since.
How did you choose your brokerage firm?
We had a successful real estate business in the area, but we knew we wanted more. After meeting the team at The Agency, we knew we had great synergies and we liked what the brand was doing to stand out in the market, so we started working on the partnership.
What aspects of working in real estate do you wish more people knew about?
I think the perception among most people is that real estate is easy. I have to say it’s the complete opposite. It’s challenging, diverse and ever-changing.
It’s an incredible career, but it’s a calling. This is more than just a job. You never really stop, there’s always someone wanting to talk about property, there’s always something to do, there’s always a scenario where you can learn and improve your skills.
What is your most important piece of advice for a newly licensed broker?
Learn everything. Don’t be afraid to start small and most importantly, listen. The more you know, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, one day, you will need that knowledge and it could be the difference between making a sale or not.
What makes a good leader?
Stay calm and don’t make rash decisions. Listen, observe, and absorb things in the room while assessing the situation before interacting and making suggestions. This approach has always worked well for me as I have led teams throughout my career.
Know who should be in an upcoming Agent Spotlight? Please send nominations to brokeredge@inman.com.
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