The Hawker Who Made Over RM10 Million In Real Estate

We frequently hear inspiring tales of people who faced challenges before achieving success. From Walt Disney to Bill Gates to Elon Musk. However, there’s a remarkable story of a hawker who sold vegetarian food before transforming into a successful real estate agent, raking in millions of ringgits before turning 30.

With sheer determination, resilience, and a strong belief in himself, Alvin Chan has now established himself as one of the leading performers in Malaysia’s real estate scene. If you need a boost to stay on track and chase your dreams, let Alvin Chan’s journey inspire you every step of the way.

A wake-up call

Before he was a successful agent working at his own pace, Alvin was once a vegetarian food stall hawker. Starting at the age of 19, he worked tirelessly from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., only to switch gears in the evening, donning formal attire to distribute flyers in shopping malls until late at night.

It was a grueling routine, but he maintained an open mind for opportunities. 

One day in 2017, a Facebook property ad caught his attention. Though he couldn’t afford the property at the time, the agent suggested he explore real estate as a part-time job. He attended a briefing and was impressed by the professionalism and sharp appearances of the real estate agents. “A group of people came wearing a suit, clean shoes and looking very presentable. I was ‘sold’ right away with their confidence.”  

Excited by the promise of flexibility, unlimited income, and the chance to step away from the hawker lifestyle, he decided to give it a shot and thus began his journey with IQI Global.

The reality-check of real estate  

Getting into real estate is a breeze, but staying on that tough road is where the real challenge kicks in.  In his first three months, Alvin didn’t close any deals.

“One biggest common misconception about real estate agents is that they earn money quickly and effortlessly. However, the reality involves discipline, resilience, and consistent effort,” said Alvin.

The lack of a stable salary was daunting, especially with monthly expenses and financial commitments. During low points, he doubted himself. However, he learned to focus, manage his time effectively, and trust the process.

Even though he faced some tough times and had his doubts at first, he didn’t give up. He got the hang of the industry, improved his sales techniques, and really tapped into the world of digital marketing. By the end of his first year, he had sold his first serviced suite and super link house, and he had even closed RM4 million in sales within two days.

From zero to hero  

Surprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit a lot of people hard, turned out to be a great chance for Alvin to stand out. He focused on online marketing, making engaging property tour videos that caught the eye of potential buyers. This fresh strategy resulted in impressive sales and took his career to a whole new level.

Alvin also mentioned that he leads a small team of agents who use Facebook ads for marketing and focused on online strategies. With this, he managed to maintain his momentum. Between 2020 and 2023, he made it as Melaka’s top project performer, and in one memorable instance, he closed RM10 million in project sales in a single day.

Talk about rising from ashes, right?  

To this day, Alvin continues to focus on growing his team and his success. He became the proud owner of luxury items like BMW and a Rolex, traveled around the world, and received esteemed accolades, including honors from the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) and recognition from Britishpedia’s Successful People in Malaysia.

Owing it to IQI Global  

Alvin found IQI Global’s systematic approach, digital empowerment, and global market reach the perfect platform for his real estate journey. Beyond work, the agency’s culture has allowed him to enjoy life, travel with his family, and build lasting relationships with his team.

“If I have one advice to my younger self, it would be ‘Becoming a real estate agent sooner,” Alvin muses.

He emphasises the importance of continuous learning, building strong relationships, and keeping up with the latest trends. With his unwavering passion and strategic approach, Alvin continues to make significant strides in the real estate industry. His story serves as an inspiration to anyone who dreams of achieving success, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Inspired by Alvin Chan’s journey? Start your own path to success today with IQI. Believe in yourself, surround yourself with supportive people, and never give up. Take the first step now and see where your determination can lead you.

This article is a collaboration between iMoney and IQI Global. IQI Global is Malaysia’s largest prop-tech agency with 50,000 agents worldwide and has offices in 25+ countries, and we offer a one-stop-solution for every real estate agent with our fantastic tool called Atlas Super App.