SINGAPORE – KW Singapore, a franchise of US-based real estate agency Keller Williams, is facing significant disruption following the fallout from the controversy surrounding the PropertyLimBrothers (PLB). More than 100 property agents are expected to leave the boutique agency, triggered by leadership changes at both KW Singapore and PLB.
The departures began after Melvin Lim, founder of KW Singapore and also co-founder and chief executive of PLB, stepped down from leadership roles in both companies in late January. This followed a widely publicized controversy concerning personal conduct, according to reports. Jonathan Lee, KW Worldwide Asia Pacific Hub growth consultant, has been appointed to lead KW Singapore on an interim basis.
As of , KW Singapore had 157 registered agents, according to the Council for Estate Agencies public register. The impending exodus of over 100 agents represents a substantial loss of personnel for the firm. In addition to those leaving, 38 salespersons have already sought to join PropNex since January, signaling a shift in allegiance within the Singaporean real estate market.
Impact on PropNex and ERA Singapore
PropNex, currently the largest agency in Singapore with over 14,000 registered agents, is benefiting from the instability at KW Singapore. PropNex co-founder and executive chairman Ismail Gafoor noted the arrival of “two millionaire producer agents, as well as multiple rising millionaire achievers and experienced team managers” from KW Singapore. Gafoor emphasized the importance of “reputation, stability and credible opportunities” in attracting agents, suggesting that KW Singapore’s recent challenges have prompted a reassessment among its workforce.
ERA Singapore is also seeing an influx of talent. Rayne Chua, KW Singapore’s top agent, new launch director, and brand ambassador, is joining ERA. Chua stated she was “looking for an organisation that genuinely invests in people” and that ERA “stood out as the right fit with values aligned to my own and a strong emphasis on structured training and robust tech platforms that support advisers at every stage.” She added that her move was “driven by where I felt I could best position my business for the long term.” We see currently unknown how many other agents leaving KW Singapore will also join ERA.
Industry-Wide Implications
Industry observers believe the departures will significantly impact KW Singapore’s sales force. Huttons Asia chief executive Mark Yip commented that losing more than 50 agents would “definitely have an impact, whether it’s (on) the bottom line or psychologically.” He further noted that when a large number of agents leave as a team, they typically gravitate towards larger agencies that can provide greater resources, including training and technological support.
The situation at KW Singapore reflects a broader trend in the real estate industry, according to ERA Singapore chief executive Marcus Chu. He has observed agents becoming “more deliberate in their choice of agency,” particularly given rising operating costs, compliance requirements, and client expectations. Agents are increasingly evaluating which platforms can best support them with scale, technology, and training.
Separate Entities, Intertwined Leadership
While PLB and KW Singapore are legally separate entities, the close leadership links between the two firms contributed to the speed and scale of the agent departures. As of , PLB had 79 registered agents, and it is currently unclear if any of them have also left following the recent leadership changes.
The leadership reshuffle at KW Singapore included the removal of Grayce Tan, formerly the company’s director of growth, from the leadership team, effective immediately. The company has not yet publicly commented on the reasons for Tan’s departure beyond stating the change in leadership.
Market Position and Competition
As of , the Singaporean real estate agency landscape is dominated by PropNex (over 14,000 agents), followed by ERA (8,504 agents) and Huttons Asia (5,793 agents). KW Singapore’s future position within this competitive market remains uncertain given the substantial loss of agents and the ongoing leadership transition. Keller Williams Worldwide has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
The events at KW Singapore underscore the importance of strong leadership and a stable reputation in the highly competitive real estate sector. The movement of agents to larger firms like PropNex and ERA suggests a preference for established organizations with robust resources and support systems.
