On Friday, 26 March 2021, Bank Windhoek's Annual Coastal Estate Agents Awards ceremony hosted in Walvis Bay recognised Pro Direct Real Estate, Ramos Realtors, and Mupupa Realtors as the top three coastal Estate Agencies.
Pro Direct Real Estate Agent, Maryka Vermeulen, was the overall winner when she took home two Golden Awards as Achiever of the Year in both the Residential and Commercial categories. She was also recognised for submitting Loan Business of N$18 Million and above to the Bank.
Another top achiever was Mupupa Realtors' Helvi Mupupa, who was awarded the Silver Award in the Residential category and submitted Loan Business of N$6 Million and above. MyHome Properties' Werdi Engelbrecht won Bronze in the Achiever of the Year – Residential. Engelbrecht also received recognition for offering Loan Business between N$4 Million and N$6 Million.
Nel's Estates' Max Schwieger won Silver in the Achiever of the Year category – Commercial. He was also recognised for submitting Loan Business of between N$4 Million and N$6 Million.
Bank Windhoek's Executive Officer of Retail Banking Services and Specialist Finance, James Chapman, acknowledged the estate agents for their resilience and their faith in the coastal property industry. "Thank you for entrusting us with your businesses. As we journey together through these challenging times, I know that our relationship will get stronger and that we will continue to be connectors of positive change," Chapman said. He added that as a relationship-driven bank, Bank Windhoek would continue to partner with its customers, to make the economy, and the country better.
Agents share their success formula
Vermeulen, who was thrilled and surprised by the recognition, said that with the current challenging property market impacted by COVID-19, her survival depended on changing her business strategy. "Instead of using the traditional method of taking customers to view properties, we were marketing and advertising our properties through WhatsApp and video calling. As a result, we could sell to more customers, both home and abroad," said Vermeulen, who plans to expand her business and employ more agents.
Mupupa said that she was overwhelmed with the recognition. Asked how she navigated the challenging business environment, Mupupa alluded that her best method was word of mouth. “It helped us a lot. We treated all our customers well so that they could recommend our services to their peers, family, and friends," she said.
Schwieger shared that perseverance carried him through. “You have to carry on with whatever you are doing and provide your customers the best service at all times," he said. Vermeulen, Mupupa, and Schwieger encouraged Bank Windhoek to continue providing quality service and building long-lasting relationships with its customers.
List of other agents who received merit awards for business submitted – Residential and Commercial:
- Veronique Mbindawina - Ramos Realtors
- Claudia Lofty-Eaton - Ramos Realtors
- Daphne Swanepoel - Daphne Swanepoel Properties
- Karen McCloud - Home Page
- Claudia Walker - Luna Properties CC
- Robert Willson - Seeff Properties
- Ruth Grebien - Grobbies Estates CC
Bank Windhoek's Annual Estate Agent Awards offers recognition to residential and commercial estate agents, agencies and developers, from the northern, central and coastal regions for their commitment, loyalty, and support to Bank Windhoek and its customers.
