In celebration of National Women’s Day, we shine a light on women in real estate and profile three young women who have made the property industry their career of choice. While they may all be younger than thirty, their backgrounds are diverse – ranging from school leavers to graduates – proving that there is no single or direct path to a successful career as an estate agent
Among the things they have in common is their pride in the REMAX brand and their passion for the property business.
“As the industry continues to evolve, we are proud to see such exceptional young women driving innovation and growth within the REMAX network,” says Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of REMAX of Southern Africa. “Their success is a testament to the opportunities this industry holds for ambitious, hard-working individuals, regardless of age.”
Meet our young rising stars & find out what they attribute to their early success…
Bella Fulford – Age 26, RE/MAX Living (Cape Town)
Find a mentor …[they] … will save you years of trial and error and help you grow faster.
Bella Fulford is the highest-earning REMAX agent under 30. At only 26, she has already been named among the Top Achievers three years in a row. On top of that, she recently closed on a R95 million listing.
Fresh from graduating with a degree in psychology, Bella joined REMAX at 22 years old. Even though her father is in commercial real estate, she hadn’t seriously considered this as a career choice. A friend, however, suggested a closer look, and it was “the psychology behind sales and decision-making” that sealed the deal. “I’d studied how emotions drive choices, even ones we think are purely rational, and that excited me,” she says.
Where should aspiring agents start?
Bella attributes her success largely to her business partner and mentor, Philip Gullan, from whom she’s still learning, and whose example continues to sharpen her skills. Her advice to fellow agents is clear: find someone who challenges and uplifts you and never hesitate to go out and meet clients face-to-face. Your desk won’t do the selling—your relationships will.
“You won’t start at the top. But if you stay consistent, keep learning, and keep going, the results will come,” she confirms.
Bella’s Top Tips for Agents
Bella doesn’t define her success by the commission she earns but rather by the choices she’s made and challenges she’s overcome. Most of all, Bella advises, “Don’t be afraid to do things differently. And most importantly, your clients aren’t sitting at your desk, so get out there and meet people.”
Angela Morite – Age 20, REMAX Exclusive (Klerksdorp)
In this industry, patience and understanding are absolutely essential
At just 19 years old, Angela has earned more than any other REMAX agent her age. She joined the industry at 18 and has made remarkable strides in a short amount of time. This year alone, Angela has registered five property sales with three more pending. She’s also working on numerous other deals, including a R2.3 million property.
Her meteoric rise reflects not only tenacity but personal strength and a maturity beyond her years. Despite being new to the real estate world, Angela’s handled setbacks like client uncertainty and listing delays with poise — “In this industry, patience and understanding are absolutely essential, especially when navigating client timelines and different buying motivations,” she says.
Where should aspiring agents start?
“Real estate was a surprising career path for me, because growing up, I never really knew what I wanted to become. Real estate wasn’t even on our radar at the time — I was completely clueless about it. I had only applied to one university and although I was provisionally accepted based on my Grade 11 marks, I was later rejected. That’s when I began calling different real estate agencies until I found myself at REMAX and ever since, I keep on seeing the Lord’s hand in everything.”
Angela’s journey illustrates that even if you don’t have a set plan, listening to your instincts can set you on the right path.
Angela’s Top Tips for Agents
“I’ve come to understand that comparison often becomes the thief of joy and can bring unnecessary negative emotions, so I choose to stay in my own lane and trust my path,” Angela says.
Apart from focusing on your own journey, Angela credits supportive colleagues like her Broker/Owner Louise Snyders for her success, as well as her deep faith, which gives her the “strength to trust the process, even in moments of uncertainty.”
Meg Dyssel – Age 25, RE/MAX Advantage (Johannesburg)
One REMAX sticker changed my life…
Also among this elite group of top earners under 30 is Meg Dyssel. Since she began her property journey in February 2024, Meg has closed 17 property sales, including a R5 million listing that she sold within four weeks. She continues to build strong client relationships that lead to referrals and repeat business, focusing on the number of families she helps rather than her earnings.
Meg was en route to a birthday celebration when serendipity stepped in and altered her trajectory. Although she has a background in education and has built a successful online beauty business, she was looking for new and bigger challenges that matched effort with reward. After spotting a REMAX sticker on a stranger’s laptop at the airport, Meg’s gut spoke louder than any job advertisement. A few days later, she applied to REMAX Advantage, drawn, she says, “by the brand’s reputation for professionalism, strong support system and global reach.”
Where should aspiring agents start?
If you’re toying with becoming an estate agent, Meg’s journey is a testament to the value of trusting your instinct. It might be daunting to step into something new, but if it’s where your passion lies, then its entirely worthwhile to take a risk on it. For Meg, real estate is “the perfect combination of my passion for people and sales” — and it’s that passion that’s helped her achieve so much success so early on in her career.
Meg’s Top Tips for Agents
Her success, says Meg, is based on clear goals and getting through the daily grind with “discipline, drive and consistency”, recognising that “success doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence and dedication, it absolutely comes.&rdquo
With the support of friends, family and her mentor, she’s developed systems that help her to work smarter, not just harder, as a business owner, “not just an agent”. In real estate, you don’t get a set salary every month — it’s up to you to go out and make your next sale and earn your commission. Treating it as your own business rather than just a job is an important frame of mind that will help you achieve greater success in this industry.
Universal Tips for Success in Real Estate
Although Bella, Meg and Angela’s journeys to the real estate industry have been very different, as people, they all have certain things in common: they’re committed and dedicated, willing to both learn from their mistakes and rise to the challenges that face them every day. This makes them resilient and successful.
While they were attracted to the strong REMAX brand, equally, if not more important, is the collaborative culture and support they receive from key mentors. The easily accessible training and cutting-edge tools embedded in the RE/MAX Hub have helped their careers to blossom.
We’ve distilled their key messages &ndash
For Aspiring Real Estate Agents
- You don’t need a real estate background to succeed, just drive and belief.
- Don’t wait for the “perfect moment”: sometimes it’s about taking a leap of faith.
- Real estate can offer flexibility, uncapped earnings and a powerful sense of purpose, especially when supported by a brand like REMAX.
Wondering if you’re cut out for a career in real estate? Read this article.
For Real Estate Agents Looking to Grow
- Find a mentor and never stop learning. Bella’s story shows how having the right mentor can fast-track your success. And, as Meg says, every setback is a lesson, so learn from your mistakes.
- Treat your work like a business, not just a job. Create systems, track performance, and seek strategic support. Keep your eye on the goal, which may mean sacrificing short-term comfort for long-term growth.
- Don’t compare, celebrate. Angela’s wisdom reminds us that growth is personal and that comparison steals joy.
Ready to join the RE/MAX family?
REMAX Southern Africa doesn’t just sell property, we build careers. REMAX is not just a strong brand but a global community of members who collaborate and support each other – especially women who aspire to owning their own businesses, like a real estate franchise.
We’ll leave you with Meg’s advice: “You go, girl. You are more capable than you think!”
If you’re interested in becoming a RE/MAX agent, please get in touch or reach out to your local RE/MAX office, and we’ll get back to you.
