$5m coffeeshop sold in three days: How property investor and ex-entrepreneur uncovers properties’ hidden value for premium returns

As a member of ERA Realty Network’s Plush, a high-end sales group that caters to the needs of high-net-worth individuals, Amy Zeng understands the importance of consistently being at the top of her game. After all, qualifying for the group is no small feat. Members have to broker the sale of a property worth more than $5 million and earn a minimum annual commission of $200,000 in a year.

But for Zeng — recognised in ERA’s Best Luxury Real Estate Agent category — being a top realtor at ERA is more than just about achieving high commissions. It is also about earning the trust of her clients and delivering results in the luxury market, an achievement she can lay claim to after nearly two decades with the property agency. Even early on in her career, the senior marketing director has had a knack for closing deals at higher-than-expected valuation, a skill she attributes to her career in China as a property investor where she invested in properties from the age of 20, as well as a businesswoman where she ran her own pawnshop.

“Running a pawnshop taught me to quickly assess value and spot opportunities others might miss. These skills have become invaluable in real estate,” she explains.

Her proudest transaction was in 2010 when she closed a deal for a coffee shop at North Link Building at $5 million in just three days, double the property’s initial valuation. She has continued to close standout deals over the years, including a $10 million coffee shop at Boon Lay Shopping Centre, sold within a month at 25 per cent above valuation. Now, after more than 800 properties transacted, ranging from Housing Board flats and good class bungalows to shophouses, industrial spaces and offices, Zeng has shown that her record-breaking deals are the result of a proven methodology. In her recent transactions, she achieved above-valuation results on both residential and commercial properties, including a $3.45 million home at Elias Terrace sold around 10 per cent above valuation and a $6.1 million cafe unit at Holland Road Shopping Centre sold roughly at 20 per cent above valuation.

The key to her success, she says, is a disciplined, tailor-made approach – focusing on quality rather than quantity. She takes the time to listen deeply and understand the real intentions behind each client’s words, knowing that buyers do not always reveal their true motivations. Wherever possible, she qualifies buyers before viewings to assess their seriousness and prioritises genuine prospects over casual shoppers. Her ability to read between the lines, combined with quick analytical thinking and strong numerical skills, allows her to evaluate offers accurately and respond decisively – handling every transaction with clarity, structure and care.

“I integrate three Qs – emotional quotient, intelligent quotient and financial quotient – to uncover the hidden value of every property, so that my clients can make the right decisions with clarity and confidence,” she explains.

“This, together with my experience in negotiation, is the hallmark of my brand as a trusted high-value deal closer.”

To meet growing demands in Singapore’s luxury property market, Zeng regularly travels to China to participate in property expos, connect with real estate companies and engage with migration and wealth-planning service providers – including family offices, private banking teams and fund managers. Her close ties with the Chinese real estate market has proven to be advantageous, as sellers value her ability to bring in China-based buyers, many of whom she says are “well-capitalised, decisive and often willing to pay a premium for the right assets”.

She also believes that maintaining one’s health is just as fundamental as achieving financial freedom. In between appointments, property viewings and negotiations, she schedules casual catch-ups with clients-turned-friends, and sets aside time for workouts and walks to keep her energy levels high.

Naturally, her commissions are reinvested back into her property investments, so that she can continue to grow her portfolio.

“Smart investing is about leveraging, whether it is the bank’s capital, the tenant’s rent or the agent’s expertise, to maximise cash flow and long-term appreciation under proper risk management.”

Find Amy Zeng on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

Read more about the real estate agents shaping Singapore’s luxury property market.