The pages of our newspaper regularly publish articles about what is happening in the Israeli real estate market, how the situation is developing, what trends are emerging, what analysts say and, of course, what the experts advise.

Today we asked Slava Birman — one of the owners of the leading real estate agency in Rishon LeZion — to answer our questions.

– How long has your company existed, and do you remember how it all began?

– These days we are celebrating our tenth anniversary. Of course, I remember how my partners and I built our business brick by brick, got it on its feet — you could say we raised our brainchild. Today they call us the “monsters of the secondary market” in Rishon LeZion, but back then, ten years ago, we cautiously took our first steps, learning from our own mistakes how to survive amid the fierce competition that was, and still is, in this field.

– Is it true that many real estate agencies have closed recently?

– That’s right. The thing is that today more than 50 agencies operate in our city, but, unfortunately, far from all of them do their work well. Quite often people come to us who have had a negative experience with some broker. They no longer trust any realtor without exception. The loss of trust is the main problem in our work, because it is very hard to win it back.

It is understandable that working with a person who has had problems with some real estate agency in the past is not easy at all.

– Based on your experience — what needs to be done to stay afloat in the market, so as not to repeat the fate of these closed agencies?

– To survive despite the competition, you need to improve your service, oversee your employees, constantly train them, and raise the level of their professional knowledge. And that means development, constant movement forward. We are not afraid of healthy competition — the strongest survive in it!

– How many people work in your company?

– Today we have about twenty permanent employees — you could say family members. It is very important for us to maintain warm relationships within the company, which fosters team cohesion and mutual support.

Every agent who comes to work immediately begins to feel… at home. We regularly organize all sorts of joint events, picnics, paintball games and much more.

Every employee gets an individual approach and, unlike at most firms, is not left alone with the difficulties that arise during the work. We have specialists ready at any moment to help, advise and guide a new employee and, if necessary, to work alongside them at the initial stage.

– Many people fear that in your profession, so to speak, there is no confidence in the future, and prefer to earn less but, as they say, for sure?

– It is exactly the opposite. A realtor’s career opens up unlimited opportunities for a person in the future. You gain acquaintances and connections with leading economists, bankers, lawyers, construction firms and investors. There is a real opportunity to earn a decent living and set your own work schedule. Over ten years we have brought up more than one generation of professionals, and many of them today are themselves owners of real estate agencies in Israel or managers at the largest construction companies.

– What is required to get a job at your firm, and do you need additional staff?

– Yes, we do. We have now announced that we are hiring new employees in connection with the opening of a new branch in the central part of the city. The renovation of the premises is being completed right now, and in the coming days we will see a modern, beautiful office equipped with the latest technology. For all new employees an intensive training course will be organized — and, I should note, completely free of charge. Unlike many other real estate agencies, we do not set ourselves the goal of getting a few thousand shekels for teaching our profession; on the contrary, we are ready to invest time and money in people who want to become part of our big family and, with their heads held high, bring home tens of thousands of shekels every month!

– Can women also work at the agency?

– Of course! In our business women sometimes earn more than men. I remember a case when a young woman joined us who had spent several years working at a supermarket checkout, earning four thousand shekels a month and working from eight in the morning until eight in the evening — and within just 2 months she earned a whole year’s salary with us!

– What are the requirements for hiring?

– The simplest ones: having a car, an elegant dress code, knowledge of Hebrew and, of course, a desire to earn! I am often asked whether sales experience is needed. No, it is not. In my opinion, it is sometimes easier to teach a person from scratch than to retrain them.

– And the last question — what are the career prospects for your potential employees?

– There are actually many prospects. The company’s plans for the coming years include opening several more branches in the satellite towns of Greater Tel Aviv. Agents who have gained experience will in time become senior managers and branch directors, because only people who started from the basics and went through all the stages of the career ladder can hold managerial positions at our firm.

So if your readers feel the desire to start building their future in real estate, I will gladly meet with them and answer any questions.

To schedule a meeting, call: 054-252-3339