William Yip’s transition from working in museums and art galleries to becoming a successful real estate agent wasn’t something he ever anticipated.
In fact, it was a chance encounter that led him to the industry when a life event pushed him to sell his home.
“I lost my job, so I had to sell my house,” William says. “The real estate agent came over with her manager, and they suggested I try real estate. I had never thought about it before, but here I am.”
That was back in 2012. Since then, William has carved out a unique space for himself in the real estate world, as founder of Team Yip and co-investor of First National Real Estate Collective in Johnsonville, Wellington.
His approach to the profession is far from the typical high-pressure sales mentality often associated with real estate.
“I can’t say I get excited about houses,” he admits. “But I get excited about helping people. It’s a wonderful platform to do that.
I see myself more as a facilitator, someone who helps people solve their problems rather than a traditional salesperson.”
What makes William stand out even more is how he navigates the industry with Asperger’s.
His condition, often misunderstood, has become a source of strength in his work.
“Having Asperger’s means I have empathy but no sympathy,” he explains.
“That helps me problem-solve without getting bogged down by emotions.
I know when my clients are stressed, and I genuinely want to help them. But I don’t get emotionally overwhelmed by it, which lets me stay calm and focused.”
This ability to stay detached yet invested in his clients’ success is something he sees as a major asset, especially in an industry where emotions can often run high.
“A lot of my clients are going through difficult situations … divorce, bankruptcy, or financial stress.
My role is to hold their hand and guide them through it. If I can stay calm, it helps them stay calm too.”
William is refreshingly candid about his challenges and says meeting new people and talking on the phone aren’t easy for him.
“I don’t like meeting strangers or talking on the phone,” he says with a laugh.
“In fact, I avoid phone calls whenever I can. If it can be done over email or text, I’ll always choose that.”
William’s team structure reflects this and he surrounds himself with supportive colleagues who complement his strengths and weaknesses.
“I take someone with me to appointments, like my colleague Linda (Huynh). I might not be able to handle certain aspects of client interaction on my own, but I work around that by having a strong team.”
Linda, who is a sales agent and auctioneer at Team Yip says William definitely doesn’t follow the stereotypical real estate playbook.
“William doesn’t fit the mould of your typical CEO. He’s not driven by KPIs or traditional success metrics. It’s all about levelling people up, both in their careers and their personal lives.
He genuinely wants everyone around him to succeed.
William’s approach to building his team is as unique as his career path.
He doesn’t focus on hiring top-tier agents or experienced professionals, instead, he looks for people who are willing to learn and grow.
“We don’t hire from the top,” he explains. “I look for people at the start of their career or those who have been struggling in the industry but have potential.
It’s more work, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see someone grow and succeed.”
Finally, William, who is involved in over 400 community groups, says, success isn’t measured by luxury cars or big commissions – it’s about making a meaningful impact.
“It’s not about Lamborghinis and fancy houses. It’s about helping people. The more you give, the more you get, and I believe the more you get, it’s because you’re giving.”
