Meet Hoppler’s Newest Contributing Writer: Robert G. Sarmiento

Hoppler is proud to announce our newest contributing writer Robert G. Sarmiento. He is a licensed broker, resource speaker, and industry expert. Robert believes in the value of imparting knowledge and wisdom to every real estate professional. We sat down with Robert to talk about his career and his passion for real estate. 

How did your career in real estate start?

I sold a family property when I came back to Manila in 1991. My mom had always been in Real Estate; she enjoyed the trade and was a big influence to me.  I then opened my own real estate brokerage firm back in 1992.

What made you decide to pursue a career in real estate?

I just came back from San Francisco and in a month’s time, closed a property of my mom at a posh residential subdivision. It was then the highest price per square meter sold. Looking back at the deal, it felt natural to me. I enjoyed the process and challenge that went with it.

I also love photography so taking photos of properties I handle made it really fun. In addition, I get to travel a lot and meet all kinds of people.

What is your vision for the Philippines real estate sector in the next 10 years?

My vision is based on the assumption that all the Build Build Build projects of the current administration would go as planned. It’s a fact that foreign direct investments are up and will continue to grow.  If only more incentives could be given to foreign investors, then the game would change, and we could finally catch up with our ASEAN neighbors.

Industries are opening up, relocating, or expanding their operations to newly industrial / commercial hubs.  Agri-business is on the rise from all over the country.  I also believe that more and more Chinese investments will be coming, creating an instant residential condominium market, attracting more tourists, and increasing progress in the construction industry.

Describe your work style.

Real Estate is more of a hobby and a passion to me.

When I focus on a certain project, I have to get positive results.  I wake up at about 3:45 am every morning and review my day’s activity. I actually plan the night before the following day. I love to teach, share my knowledge, learn new things, and mentor – but most of all I’m motivated to know that lives are being enhanced and that the real estate market is active.

As Hoppler’s newest Contributing Writer, what is your message to your readers?

I have been doing real estate newsletters since 1992, but I am still a student, learning as times are continuously changing.  My articles are informative, factual, and based upon analysis. Readers will get to realize the cause and effect of things that happen in the real world.

There is so much to know. I believe I have been blessed with some interesting deals from the past that have made my learning curve faster. I love sharing both mine and my associates’ experiences with real estate practitioners.

As a first mover in the online real estate blog space, where do you see online real estate going in the coming years?

When I first started, business was generated through print ads, such as Buy and Sell and Manila Bulletin. I already had a website then. My newsletters back in 1992 were made through email; however, Google soon changed that process.

Social media platforms such are Facebook, Viber, and Whatsapp are now the medium for generating business. The direction real estate practitioners are heading to is to make the sales process as easy as possible to a client by virtually presenting the property online, thus, saving time and effort.

In your opinion, how is technology reshaping the way real estate professionals do their job?

Real estate investors and buyers are much more educated in searching and buying properties.

It’s normal for a client to view several properties through other brokers’ posts and online advertisements. The internet has really changed how things are done.  If you aren’t online, you are missing out on the business.

What is your advice to new real estate professionals?

Times have really changed. Even the variables going into projects – be it in brokerage or project selling – are different.  There is so much competition. That is why offering creativity and value are so important in today’s market.

Just ask yourself, how does one stand out from the rest?  It’s a must to understand and find your niche.  Relating and getting your message across that market is critical.  It’s about quality activities rather than quantity.

What motivates you? What is your passion and/or advocacy?

Helping and seeing the success of others motivate me. Success drives me. I enjoy what I do but I also think of our personal clients, networks, especially our office staff that rely on me to accomplish our goals.  They are family to me and my wife. We all work as a team and that’s very difficult to find. Seeing them fulfilled, independent, and committed to what they do is a great feeling.

My passion and advocacy remain professional and ethical.

Any advice to real estate professionals so they can achieve a work-life balance?

Pray for wisdom and success as I can attest to the fact that transactions are blessings from above. Follow a mentor, find the passion, and love what you do. Aim high for your goals, plan, and develop good business ethics. Finally, enjoy what you do and reward yourself when achieving desired results.

If there is one thing you want to impart to your readers, what would it be?

I am genuinely concerned about what happens in the real estate industry and its effect on all practitioners. I speak my mind through my blogs, but there is also a right way of saying things to get the message across effectively. I’ve always felt the responsibility to keep everyone informed about the real estate market. Knowledge really is power, and how you use it makes the difference on the level of success you could attain in this industry.

Watch out for Robert’s upcoming articles on Hoppler’s blog soon!