A conversation with Żaneta Panek – owner of the MATLUK furniture company – up and running in MIASTORAMA – the Real Estate Agency in Tarnowskie Góry, nominated for the title of Charismatic Woman, about life and professional challenges, her approach towards clients and continuous development.
Have you always been so charismatic?
Not at all. At school I used to be quiet and rather closed-minded. I enjoyed Polish language classes, mainly because we had a very good teacher: open towards learners on the one hand and very demanding on the other. To some extent, she had become a role model for me because I also consider my personality to be open and simultaneously demanding towards others and myself. Quality is essential. I’ve become charismatic because life had shaped me that way. I used to go through rough patches. At the age of 21, I suffered from laryngeal cancer, which changed my perception of the world and people, and taught me humility. Overcoming difficulties pushed me to a place where I am now.
How did you acquire and developed your skills and competence?
My first job was at the exchange office. I don’t like sitting still, I need movement, so the job quickly appeared to be too monotonous. A few years later, I opened a furniture company. Furniture’s actually my husband’s pair of shoes. He served as a policeman and making furniture used to be his way to wind down. He’s been doing it for 20 years now. The MATLUK company was established 12 years ago. It owes its name to both our sons: 18-year-old Matthew and 7-year-old Luke. I’m the owner and my husband makes the furniture. However, I discovered it still wasn’t my thing and felt something was missing and because I mothered a little child I decided to try working as an estate agent. It finally turned out to be my cup of coffee.
What kind of furniture do you manufacture?
Built-in kitchens and wardrobes, free-standing furniture for rooms or bathrooms. We buy finished products, order the boards, divide them up, and my husband assembles the furniture at the clients’ homes. We get orders mainly from referrals. Our customers are so nice.
Coming back to the Estate Agent, how did it all start?
I got hired at a real estate office in Piekary Slaskie and found myself in it. Completely. So, I did my real estate agent’s licence, attended many courses and trainings, acquired knowledge on my own, but felt constantly unsatisfied. I love challenges, I do take them, but avoid being unprepared. After 2 years, I submitted my CV to the MIASTORAMA Real Estate Agency and started cooperation with its owner Ewelina Pindur, who is very supportive of the employee development. We’ve been working together for 8 years now. As a company, I hired Agnieszka Pakuła, but there are also agents cooperating with Ewelina. We operate mainly in Silesia, however Ewelina manages branches also in the Tricity. We are open and flexible, so, if a client recommends me in Krakow, I will go there and take the order. Real estate has become my passion. I always put 100% of myself in what I do. I can’t do otherwise. My clients are hugely respected and taken care of. I reliably do the work a client has asked me to. I’m honest and always inform clients about any difficulties or obstacles that may arise during realisation.
What exactly do you do?
We intermediate in real estate trading, selling, searching, renting, we handle transactions, draw up opinions about properties. We deal with both primary and resale markets. We work with developers. Our offer includes houses, flats, tenements, premises and plots of lands for everyone. We ensure the security of transactions, arrange the documents needed to conclude the transaction, check the property’s legal status and help in solving intricate property issues. In this area, I can boast of really thorough knowledge. One day, I had a house for sale that exceeded the boundaries of the plot, located in the community, encroaching on the road. Clients often don’t know how to address and rectify all these complexities and that’s when an estate agent might come in handy, because only an agent is not afraid of these challenges and, importantly, knows how to meet them. I also deal with home staging, which means preparation of a property for sale or rent in such a way that professional preparation of the property took the littlest effort. The agent’s aim is to leave the best possible impression and make the property viewer feel at home. Home staging helps the potential customer to envisage how they can arrange furnishings in their new place, assess the space needed and approximate the space still available after the property furnishing. „Contrary to appearances, few buyers are imaginative enough to visualise their own home within four bare walls.”. I work with a renovation team who can work instant wonders, with a photographer who can skilfully show the beauty of the property.
When it comes to property rental, what matters most?
We work on occasional and institutional rental. We attach a great deal of importance to protecting our customers against vandalism and dishonesty of various kinds, as they often occur. This is why we focus on vetting tenants. Thus, since recently, there has been a legal obligation of thorough verification, and if a customer fails to do so, they will lose the case in court.
What does this verification consist of?
Verification is nothing more than the client stating their workplace and employment period. He is obliged to give me the contract and inform the employer that I will be calling. I often act intuitively, I need to have this gut feeling that the person is the right one. I’ve been in this industry for 10 years and I’ve never had a client who wouldn’t pay.
How do you charge the client?
One party is charged a fee and the other party usually doesn’t incur any costs. However, there are clients who require a fee from both parties, they decide. We charge a commission for sale-purchase depending on the scope of work, but no less than 4%.
What about insurance?
First of all, our agency is insured, but I also have a separate one as a real estate agent.
What are you most proud of?
Of my children, of course. The older son is fond of photography and thus attending a photographic technical school. I am also proud of myself, of the knowledge I have gained in the field of real estate. I am happy to share it, I have no fear of competition or of someone using all this against me. I publish a lot of information on my Facebook profile. I am open-minded and far from fear of collaboration with other estate agencies.
Your colleague, Agnieszka Pakuła, speaks of your confidence, non-existence of impossible situations, emphasises that you leave nothing for later and give power to your team. What are your plans, then?
I’m focused on continuous development and training. We are well-trusted in Silesia, but I’d like us to be even more visible as a real estate agency, so I’m now going to put attention to advertising and promotion.
How do you recharge your batteries?
After a day full of stressful situations, I like to simply stay at home and read a book or watch a good film when the evening comes.
Dorota Kolano
Beata Sekuła
