Colibri Real Estate alumni Yankun Zhen was recently named a RISMedia Rookie of the Year award finalist. Zhen, an immigrant who was taught at an early age the importance of helping others, attributes his success to hard work and consistency.
RISMedia’s Rookie of the Year Program
The Rookie of the Year program aims to recognize real estate agents who are new to the field but have already made remarkable strides. Nominees for the Real Estate Rookie of the Year award were evaluated based on their 2023 sales volume and transaction data, commitment to professional education, technological skills, and community engagement. This marks the program’s third year, and 25 regional finalists were announced.
“We are delighted to again partner with RISMedia to recognize new agents who have demonstrated they are thriving in their careers and, as such, making a difference in their communities and in their profession,” said Jennifer Dixson Hoff, Colibri Real Estate’s General Manager, Professional Portfolio and Partnerships.
From Humble Beginnings to a Passion for Real Estate
Yankun Zhen’s mother taught him the importance of always lending a helping hand to others, a trait he holds on to as a real estate agent in California.
“I enjoy educating people during the process and explaining everything to them so they have a better understanding of what they’re getting into. And just seeing the smiles on their faces after they go through the whole process, and now finally becoming homeowners themselves, is just so rewarding to me,” Zhen said.
He also hopes to help his own family by working as a real estate agent. Zhen had the rewarding experience of helping his sister buy her first house.
“I’ve Been an Entrepreneur My Whole Life”
Another reason Zhen felt drawn to real estate is because he wants to be his own boss. He understands the pros and cons of entrepreneurship, having owned his own shoe business before becoming an agent.
“You have your months where you make a lot of money, and you have your down months where you’re like – what am I doing? It’s the same thing with real estate.”
Regardless of the ups and downs that come with the industry, Zhen loves what he does.
“This doesn’t even seem like a job to me. I’m just spending time every day with other people who are ready to buy a house or sell their house. But trust me – it’s not easy,” he said.
Tips for Success in Real Estate
Since being recognized as a Rookie of the Year finalist, others have asked him for tips for success.
“And I always tell them it’s just consistency and hard work. Maybe my advice is not as exciting as people want it to be. Put in the hard work, like open houses, making your calls, and follow-ups, because it’s your daily tasks that make you a good agent,” Zhen said.
Additionally, Zhen said to not pay attention to how much money you will earn for a transaction but instead focus on how to better assist your clients.
“My first year, I closed 14 deals with around $7 million in volume, but I prefer to say I helped 14 families,” Zhen said.
Zhen’s Experience with Colibri Real Estate School
Zhen found Colibri Real Estate through an online search.
“I liked how it was so simple to see what I needed on the Colibri Real Estate website. I did the online only pre-licensing course because I just wanted to be on my own time. I had a set schedule every day and just tackled it,” he said.
While Zhen was able to use the information he learned from Colibri to become a California real estate agent, he understands that he’ll need to continue learning throughout his career.
“There’s so much stuff to learn within real estate. I’m forever going to be a student. I don’t think anyone has the knowledge of everything within real estate. So, whether that is me taking more courses or learning from other people who are more experienced within the industry, I’m going to be learning every day,” Zhen said.
Zhen’s Dream Life as a Real Estate Agent
In addition to helping his sister, Zhen is proud of helping many families with their real estate needs. He also had the unique experience of assisting a celebrity in buying a home.
“I helped a WWE wrestler buy a house. I literally used to watch that show every week, so it felt like, wow, am I daydreaming right now? In real estate, you never know who you may help the next day,” he said.
Yankun Zhen is a real estate agent with Fast Real Estate in California
“It’s just so amazing where this career has taken me,” Zhen said. “I want to show people that if a guy like me from Oakland, California, who grew up with absolutely nothing, could succeed in real estate, then anybody can do it.”
Start your real estate career with Colibri Real Estate School’s at-your-own-pace real estate courses. Colibri has trained over 500,000 real estate agents, including Zhen, and can help you earn your state’s real estate license in a matter of months. Get started today!
