Changing lives with property Mogul TT Mbha

We chat to property mogul and Mzansi Cribs host TT Mbha about the property business, his TV show and how to add value to your property without breaking the bank.

Popularly known as TT, his show is a favourite among Mzansi Magic viewers. Easygoing, friendly and approachable, TT was born and bred in Pimville, Soweto. The 42-year-old was raised to be humble and respectful, irrespective of anyone’s social status. ‘I was raised like a typical kasi boy who had to play soccer,’ he laughs, ‘but I soon discovered my love of public speaking, tennis and water polo because I’ve always been a different child with different interests.’

It was not by chance that he found himself in the type of business that allowed him to interact with people and help them find the homes of their dreams. His real estate career started when he interned as an estate agent in 2014. He worked under the wing of a qualified estate agent for a year, then wrote his board exam the following year to qualify as a professional practitioner. In 2016 he qualified as a master practitioner in real estate.

IGNITING THE DREAM
Since then, he has gone on to forge a hugely successful real estate career, having founded Black Real Estate and Mzansi Cribs, both of which focus on real estate marketing and sales. When asked why he chose a career in property, TT recalls his fascination with houses from an early age. ‘I would find myself walking around Pimville all day in the scorching sun, admiring beautiful homes, especially corner homes. This is where my love for real estate was ignited,’ he says. He is passionate about sales and marketing. ‘They cannot be separated,’ he grins. ‘A good marketing plan creates a solid foundation for a good sales plan. I enjoy putting together the marketing plan first and using that to finally close the sale on the back of a solid marketing plan.’

Real estate is said to be a cut-throat industry. So what’s the most valuable lesson he’s learnt over the years? ‘You’re only as good as your last transaction,’ he says. ‘So being comfortable is never an option in business because the competition will always be on your tail to get your customers onto their books.’ That said, one of the perks of being an estate agent is the fat commission. TT clearly remembers his first commission of 90,000⁰⁰ – and how he didn’t get to splurge a single cent of it! ‘I made a clause blunder on the offer that cost me my entire commission,’ he says ruefully. ‘Unfortunately, I paid my “school fees” from my very first deal and I will never make such a mistake again because the lesson came at a high price.’

UMUNTU NGUMUNTU NGABANTU
TT says one of the biggest misconceptions about the property business is that only white people are successful in the real estate business. ‘I got into the industry to put an end to that misconception by proving that against all odds, qualified black property practitioners like myself can compete head-on, at the highest level, with white estate agents.’