Agent Edward Lim is celebrating 10 years with the LJ Hooker network, a milestone that further highlights a remarkable career shift from deepwater drilling rigs in the Atlantic Ocean to the thriving world of real estate.
Recognised in the top 1% of salespeople by the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA), Mr Lim has reflected on the transition that took him from being an oil and gas engineer working in some of the world’s most remote locations to selling property in Perth.
He moved from Malaysia to Australia to complete a master’s degree in petroleum engineering at Curtin University in the hope it would lead to a promotion but, at the time, the industry was in a downturn.
Rather than return to his old job, Mr Lim decided to try his hand at real estate joining LJ Hooker Victoria Park | Belmont on 3 August 2015.
“I was already into property investing and I’d spend my days off attending seminars, going to property viewings and chatting with agents, and it had sparked an interest,” he said.
“I still remember my mum’s reaction when I told her of my decision! She was surprised as I just graduated with High Distinctions but she had quiet confidence in me. She reminded me of the sales skills I’d shown when I first went to university, when I would promote credit card packages to her friends and even my lecturers.”
But even with his background in managing teams in the jungles of Indonesia and the scorching deserts of Oman, Mr Lim admits his initial change to real estate was challenging.
It took three months to sign his first listing, but rather than see this as a weakness, he chose to focus on his strengths. He started cold calling, doing letterbox drops, direct mail, and anything else to build his database and his presence.
“I was brand new to the country with zero contacts, and I didn’t even know the name of the banks here,” he said.
“There were moments, especially in my second year, when I thought about quitting, but I persevered and kept going. Things are much different now, but I’ll never forget those early days and the lessons that came with them.”
Today, Mr Lim sells between 10 to 12 properties a month with his outstanding efforts also recognised by the LJ Hooker network. He was named 2024 LJ Hooker Champion — Silver Medallist (Top 1 % Salesperson) and is a 2024 Captains Club Member (Top 2.5 % LJH Salesperson). He was also ranked as the #33 top agent in Western Australia in a ranking by REB.
Head of Network, Chris Keating, congratulated Mr Lim on his 10-year anniversary and his efforts that have made him one of the iconic real estate brand’s top performers.
“Some people grow up with a passion for real estate and come into the industry straight from school; others come from other professions and bring with them invaluable skills and experiences,” he said.
“Edward is a wonderful example of the latter. He is incredibly hardworking, diligent and a wonderful ambassador for LJ Hooker. He is also one of our busiest agents with a high volume of turnover and has a commanding knowledge of technology, which he utilises to stay ahead of the competition.”
Mr Lim hasn’t yet decided how he will celebrate his 10-year milestone. He is incredibly thankful to those who have mentored him throughout his career, including LJ Hooker Managing Director Paula Lagrenade and real estate coach Tom Panos.
“To do this job, you need the right tools, such as having scripts, dialogue and knowing how to do listing presentations, but to be successful, you need more than that,” Mr Lim said.
“The right mentor keeps you on track, helps to set realistic goals, create a solid action plan and keeps you motivated, particularly when things get tough. The kind of support and accountability is an absolute game-changer.”
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