Winner Of PropertyGuru’s Reality Competition Tried To Sell His Parent’s House Online When He Was 16

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What makes a good salesperson? Impeccable product knowledge? Passion? Eloquence? Or sheer charisma?

Singaporean real estate agent Zaccheus Sabai seems to have all of the above.

8days.sg caught up with the 29-year-old freshly crowned winner of Home Run: Singapore, PropertyGuru’s five-episode reality series where 14 property agents face off in high-pressure challenges to make their mark in the country’s fiercely competitive real-estate scene.

It’s not hard to see why Zach won, despite having only two years of industry experience and going up against competitors with decades under their belts. His enthusiasm for the job, and the work he’s put into his craft, speaks for itself.

Zach, who is a "property investment specialist", tells us he was in Bali attending an intense week of industry-upgrading sessions when he first saw the casting call for Home Run on PropertyGuru’s Instagram.

He signed up immediately — candidly admitting that “it’s great for visibility as well”.

Winning wasn’t something he expected.

“In this industry, it’s really about standing out. There were so many strong players on the show, and I didn’t even think I’d make it to the finals, let alone win. I just wanted to keep my head down, do my best, and see how it goes,” he says.

For Zach, it seems like a career in sales was always the end game.

“Growing up, I used to buy and sell things on Carousell a lot. I played the jazz guitar as a student, and I loved buying guitars and reselling them to make some pocket money,” he shares.

“That was where I first started honing my sales skills and I really enjoyed the interactions. Later on, I did the same with motorbikes because I love riding. That experience also taught me how to market a product to maximise its value.”

As a kid, he would cycle around good-class bungalow estates just to admire the architecture, fascinated by different types of homes. And as a teenager — long before he entered the real estate industry — he actually tried to sell one.

“I attempted to sell my parents’ house on Carousell when I was 16, which is crazy. I didn’t even have a license then. I told my parents the house was old and we needed an upgrade... and [they were supportive]. 10 years later, I did eventually sell it,” he laughs.

Despite his early interest, Zach didn’t jump into property right away.

The 186cm-tall Chinese-Indian good-looker used to model and also worked as a Singapore Airlines cabin crew member.

“To me, those careers were really just for the experience. I modelled in my teens and during university to pay some of the bills. I became cabin crew right after national service, before university. It was a chance to earn some pocket money, enjoy travelling for two years, and being cabin crew, we really learn how to be socially aware and how to be hospitable to people,” he says.

Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from RMIT University, Zach later moved into the tech industry before finally switching to property at 27.

When asked if being young and good-looking gives him an edge, Zach is candid.

“I think being presentable helps ease the initial conversation. But clients today are very well informed and everyone knows good looks don’t close a sale or influence a purchase decision.”

When asked about the most memorable home he’s sold, Zach recalls a recent viewing with an affluent family.

“This was a very special sale because the clients were looking for a place as a 21st birthday gift for their daughter. I shared about investments, but the dad told me he just wanted a home she would feel comfortable in and be proud to own. That was a very different approach because I usually dive straight into numbers and data to find the best deal,” he says.

He continues: “Money wasn’t an issue — his budget was S$3 million — and it was a whole new experience [for me]. Within a day, during the first showing, he looked at his daughter and asked, ‘So, how? Do you like the property?’ She said yes, and he just whipped out a cheque and that was it. He wasn’t concerned about the returns or resale value. He just wanted her to like it.”

Of course, Zach has also dealt with the other side of the job: trickier clients. There are sellers who refuse to budge on their asking price despite his advice, and buyers who accuse him of “wanting to earn more money” when he suggests an alternative property.

These days, being a real estate agent isn’t just about selling homes. Agents must also build their personal brand online. He’s seen clients look through an agent’s Instagram page before deciding whether to engage them.

“We’re in a digital world, and there are so many agents now that it’s important to set yourself apart,” he says.

He knows he needs a “specialised identity” or niche too set himself apart and admits he’s “still in the process of building that”.

When asked about viral videos of agents sharing horror encounters during viewings, Zach laughs. “I guess a big part of Singaporean culture is ghost stories, right? It’s something we resonate with.”

“I think it’s a really  great idea because real estate content can be very dry. Many people don’t really understand the day-to-day work that's involved. When we break it down into stories and videos, which is something I hope to do in the near future,  people get to know the agent and their vibe better.”

Thankfully, Zach hasn’t had any creepy experiences of his own. “Now that we’ve mentioned it, it’s something I’ll keep in mind,” he chuckles. “I’d rather not see any ghosts at this point, but I’m happy to share interesting encounters.”

You can watch Home Run: Singapore on mewatch, or catch an episode below.