Expert Advice with Cathal O’Neill: The Winner Tells All
In the competitive UAE real estate market, taking the spotlight and making it to the top might sound challenging. Not for Cathal O’Neill, the Bayut dubizzle Stronger Together Agent of the Year award winner from Dubai for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021.
Achieving this feat not once, but two times in a row, is definitely something that requires discipline and passion beyond the ordinary. In this edition of Expert Advice, Cathal O’Neill, Associate Director at haus & haus Real Estate, sat down with us to share his recipe for success, how he handles new leads and the story behind his drive to go above and beyond in his role.
Watch the full video below or keep reading for highlights from the episode:
The real reason behind his winning streak
Echoing the widespread belief that passion fuels success, Cathal shared that his zeal for helping families find their homes has played a vital role in shaping how he works. Being a part of the dynamic, fast-paced UAE real estate industry adds to this passion, as he pushes himself to do better every day.
He then stressed the importance of having a structured day to set yourself up for success. As we discuss at Bayut Academy, there is no better way to increase your productivity and efficiency than knowing how to manage your time well. Cathal ensures that his day is well-planned a night in advance, so it runs smoothly.
The key to handling new leads
A discussion on success in the real estate industry would be incomplete without talking about leads. We asked Cathal to spill the beans on how he handles the first communication with his new leads, a skill that marks a good agent from the rest.
Cathal revealed that he begins by listening carefully to his clients’ needs, as it takes him a step closer to understanding their needs and property requirements.
Being an empath – or having the ability to see a situation from another person’s point of view – is a crucial trait you need as a real estate agent. Cathal shared that being empathetic to property seekers is important when working with new leads.
He discussed his take on being a problem solver for property seekers, or an agent who understands their needs and helps them find their dream home. Every property seeker wants to work with an agent who understands exactly what they’re looking for, and Cathal clearly ticks all these boxes.
Leveraging Bayut’s innovative solutions to succeed
Cathal revealed that TruCheck™ is his favourite tool offered by Bayut. A validation tool used by agents to showcase a property’s availability and authenticity, TruCheck™ has proven to generate five times the leads and 20 times the impressions compared to a regular listing.
Cathal confirmed this by saying that, in his experience, validating a property listing helps increase its exposure, enabling him to get more leads and helping him commit to his clients better.
When asked if he had any advice for his younger self, he answered with a twinkle in his eyes that he’d tell himself to enjoy the ride. We’re certain he has a fantastic ride ahead too!
Making a mark in the real estate industry requires a combination of skills, in-depth market knowledge and a keen understanding of your areas of expertise. But the most pivotal element to an agent’s success is customer service that exceeds expectations. We congratulate Cathal O’ Neill for raising the bar and taking home one award after the other.
About Cathal O’Neill
Cathal O’Neill is the Associate Director of haus & haus Real Estate. Hailing from Ireland, he launched his UAE real estate career after his move to the country. His speciality is Jumeriah Park and Jumeriah Village Triangle.
Cathal has created a name amongst his clients for his proactive yet empathetic approach to finding their perfect property. His honesty, perseverance, and in-depth market knowledge guarantee his consistent success in his real estate career.
About haus & haus Real Estate
haus & haus Real Estate is a premier real estate agency in Dubai that offers property leasing, sales and investment services in Dubai. Their expert team of RERA-certified real estate professionals ensure that their client’s needs are met, delivering the best possible service while keeping their requirements in mind.