Paying attention to needs and wants: How this agent  helps clients find the right homes to suit their lifestyle and future plans

A home is more than walls and a roof – it’s the backdrop for life’s milestones. That’s the perspective realtor Alvin Chua brings to every property showing.

“I’d tell my clients, ‘Picture your kids chasing each other in this landed house, or hosting Chinese New Year dinners in this home’,” says the 44-year-old senior marketing director at ERA Realty. He adds that this has been a simple but effective strategy, because he’s not pushing a product, but painting a picture of a life.

“Clients don’t buy square footage; they buy feelings of security, ambition or nostalgia,” he explains. “So I listen like a detective, picking up on their unspoken wishes – whether it’s a balcony for morning kopi or a study for late-night hustle.”

Uncovering this human side of real estate was what drew Chua to the industry. While shadowing a fellow agent as a newbie, he found himself drawn to the “buzz of possibility”.

“What I saw was that real estate isn’t just about selling houses; it’s about handing someone the keys to their next chapter. My first closing, which helped a young family move into their next phase in life, made me feel like I’d helped shape their future.”

This mindset helped him navigate the early challenges of his career, when cold calls and open houses often came up empty.

By bringing properties to life through storytelling and creative staging, he carved out a niche in a highly competitive market – one that has since earned him recognition as a Realtors Roundtable 2024 Member by EdgeProp Singapore, an accolade celebrating top-performing agents for their professionalism, consistency and excellence.

As his career progressed, so did his understanding of what clients truly need – guidance that blends insight with empathy.

Chua likens his role to that of both strategist and therapist. Whether he’s decoding loan options and housing grants for first-time home owners or sharing mood boards for clients to visualise a property’s potential, he takes a hands-on approach that extends well beyond the typical home viewing.

To cater to luxury buyers, for example, he keeps a close eye on evolving market trends. This awareness allows him to understand what truly matters to each client – from lifestyle needs to future aspirations – and to match properties that fit those criteria.

But whether it’s a luxurious condominium unit or cosy Housing Board flat on his plate, Chua’s approach remains the same. He says: “I don’t just show four walls and a roof. I weave a narrative that turns a listing into a client’s future.”

Find Alvin Chua on Facebook and Instagram.

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