Agent success story: How Derrick Tee turns property decisions into future options 

For Derrick Tee, a good property decision is not measured by the transaction alone. It should also leave clients with greater financial flexibility, clearer options and confidence in what comes next. 

This belief led him from an 11-year career in banking into real estate. After ending his corporate career as a commercial banker, Derrick realised that he wanted to use his financial knowledge in a more personal way by helping individuals and families navigate some of their biggest property decisions.

Today, he focuses on residential property, working mainly with private condo owners, landed home sellers and HDB upgraders. Whether clients are buying, selling or planning their next move, his approach centres on careful analysis, practical advice and long-term planning.

Property, possibility and purpose

Derrick’s belief in property as a wealth-building tool was shaped by his own life experience. Growing up in a below-average income household, he saw how carefully planned property decisions helped relatives and family members build their net worth over time. It showed him that property could offer much more than capital gains. When approached thoughtfully, it could provide financial security, greater flexibility and more choices for the future.

Having spent years in the corporate world, Derrick also understands how difficult it can be for working adults to achieve both financial freedom and the freedom to spend more time with the people who matter most. Today, that understanding continues to shape the advice he gives his clients. 

In fact, this is also a philosophy that Derrick has applied to his own life.

Like many Singaporeans, Derrick never imagined moving beyond an HDB flat after growing up in one. However, after seeing others around him upgrade successfully, he decided to take the same step. His first HDB home, purchased in 2015, yielded a gain of about S$200,000. He later upgraded to a private property with his in-laws, where his share of the gains amounted to around S$350,000.

Those experiences strengthened his belief that successful property decisions are rarely accidental. Instead, they come from careful planning, disciplined entry points and a clear understanding of the next move.

Buying with the next move in mind

For Derrick, the right property decision must make sense both financially and personally. While the numbers matter, he also considers each client’s goals, priorities and comfort level, especially since a purchase can affect their finances and way of life for years.

“When you’re buying, it’s not just about entering the market,” he said. “It’s about knowing whether this is the right time to enter, and then finding the right project to buy.”

For this reason, Derrick does not encourage clients to purchase simply because the market is active or a new project is attracting attention. Instead, he first looks at whether the timing suits their financial position, whether the home supports their needs and whether they have enough holding power to remain comfortable after the purchase.

The next move is also considered from the start. A property may suit the buyer today, but Derrick believes it should also give them enough flexibility to sell, upgrade or right-size when their circumstances change.

By planning beyond the immediate purchase, he aims to help clients avoid decisions that may feel exciting in the moment but become restrictive later.

“There’s no point buying something and then feeling miserable for the next three to five years while paying for it,” he said. “That’s what I always want to help my clients avoid.”

Beyond location: why entry price matters

Once a client is financially ready to make a move, Derrick turns his attention to another important question: are they entering at the right price?

While location can shape demand, he believes it should never be assessed without considering the premium attached to it. A home near an MRT station, popular amenities or the waterfront may naturally cost more, but buyers still need to determine whether that higher price is justified.

“I would say entry price is king, rather than location,” Derrick said. “Location has its advantages, of course, but the property still has to be priced correctly.”

To assess this, he compares the property with nearby resale homes, future developments and the wider supply pipeline. He also studies factors such as transport links, schools, township growth and changes in floor plan design that may influence demand and value over time.

More importantly, Derrick considers whether the premium paid today leaves enough room for future appreciation. A desirable address may attract buyers, but if too much of its potential has already been priced in, the owner may have fewer options when it is time to sell.

By weighing location against price and future demand, Derrick aims to help clients choose homes that offer both present-day appeal and stronger long-term potential.

Helping clients make better decisions, not just faster ones

Derrick applies the same focus on timing, affordability and long-term potential across the clients he advises. One case that reflects this approach involved a client who was navigating both the sale of her existing home and the purchase of her next property. 

She owned a 1-bedroom loft unit at The Garden Residences. Although the home had an appealing layout, a sizeable portion of its volume came from the void space above the living area. This area had been factored into the unit’s price, but it could not be used as practical floor space, making the property more challenging to market. Nevertheless, Derrick was able to secure a buyer. 

The more important decision, however, came after the sale.

The client initially planned to purchase a sub-sale unit, as this would have allowed her to move into her next home sooner. After assessing the property, Derrick felt that its potential upside was limited. Although it offered greater convenience, he advised her not to proceed.

Instead, he recommended a 3-bedroom unit at Grand Dunman, where she eventually secured one of the remaining available homes.

The transition was then carefully planned to minimise disruption. After completing the sale of her loft, the client arranged to rent the same unit from its new owner while waiting for Grand Dunman to be completed. As a result, she could remain in familiar surroundings rather than move into another temporary home before collecting her new keys, which are expected by the end of the year.

The decision has also placed her in a stronger position financially. Within a little over a year, Derrick estimates that the Grand Dunman unit has recorded a paper gain of around S$200,000 to S$300,000.

For Derrick, the case reflects an important part of his advisory approach. The quickest or most convenient option is not always the one that best supports a client’s future. Sometimes, making the stronger move means stepping back, reviewing the wider picture and being prepared to take a different path.

Repositioning complex homes for stronger outcomes

While some clients need guidance on what to buy next, others require a fresh strategy to bring out the value of the home they are selling.

In one case, Derrick marketed a 2,200 sqft home where close to 1,000 sqft consisted of open roof terrace space. Since almost half of the area was not considered functional indoor space, buyers could easily view it as a drawback rather than a benefit.

Instead of playing down the issue, Derrick and his team addressed it directly. They used clearer visuals to help buyers understand the space, explained its potential and outlined the approvals that could be required to make it more usable.

The strategy paid off. The home was sold for around S$80,000 to S$100,000 above the previous benchmark for similar roof terrace properties. The transaction set a record for that specific house type, which is said to still stand today. Moreover, the sale was completed within four months, a relatively tight timeline for a property of this profile.

Derrick applied a similarly focused approach in another landed sale. The property had already been marketed by another agent for several months without reaching the seller’s desired price. After taking over the listing, he refreshed the marketing strategy, refined its positioning and arranged viewings for more than 20 prospective buyers.

“It wasn’t just about the price and timeline,” he explained. “We also negotiated the terms carefully to protect the client’s interests.”

Within less than a month, the property was sold for around S$70,000 above the earlier selling point.

Supporting clients through different stages of life

Derrick works with clients at different stages of their property journey, from singles and young families to upgraders in their 30s and 40s, as well as right-sizers in their 70s.

Some are preparing to move into a larger home, while others are considering downsizing after spending many years in the same place. Each move comes with different financial needs, family considerations and personal priorities. As a result, Derrick takes time to understand what matters most to each client before recommending the next step.

For older homeowners, this support may also include staging and simple home improvements before a property is listed. Homes that have been lived in for decades may benefit from small updates, better visuals or clearer positioning to help buyers see their potential. By preparing the property carefully, Derrick aims to present it in its best light and better reflect its value when it reaches the market.

He also works with buyers entering the new launch market, including those purchasing private property for the first time. For these clients, the process can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming, so Derrick focuses on making each step easier to understand. 

Whether someone is upgrading, buying for the first time or preparing to right-size, his role is to provide steady guidance that reflects where they are in life and what they hope to achieve next. 

A growing track record in a competitive market

While Derrick prefers not to define his work by numbers alone, his track record reflects steady and meaningful progress. He has completed more than 50 property transactions to date, including co-broking deals with other agents. His experience also includes multiple landed home sales, including a record-setting single-storey landed transaction in Opera Estate by land rate, as well as a range of more complex residential cases.

His work has also earned him recognition within PropNex. In 2025, Derrick ranked among the Top 10% of Producers at PropNex and is currently within the top 7% of approximately 14,000 agents across the network.

Over time, he has developed particular experience in landed homes, property upgrading and new launch analysis. Landed property, he explained, requires a deeper understanding of planning rules, building restrictions and other technical details that may affect both a sale and the home’s longer-term potential.

This growing experience has allowed Derrick to handle a wider range of property moves, including cases that require more careful planning, specialised knowledge and attention to detail.

Earning trust through patience and transparency

Yet beyond the results and recognition, clients often remember Derrick for the way he supports them throughout the process.

Patience, responsiveness, honesty and a strong grasp of the numbers are among the qualities mentioned most often in Derrick’s reviews. Clients have highlighted how he takes time to provide well-researched guidance, explain complex details clearly and give them the space to make their own decisions.

Others have praised his organisation, prompt replies and willingness to go the extra mile, especially during buying and selling journeys that can involve tight timelines, difficult choices and plenty of uncertainty.

Together, these qualities help clients feel supported throughout the process. They know that their questions will be addressed, their interests will be considered and they will be given an honest view of both the opportunities and the risks before moving forward.

“Ultimately, the goal is not only to complete the transaction successfully, but also to ensure that clients feel comfortable with the decision they have made and where it may take them next,” Derrick explains. 

Derrick Tee

To speak with Derrick Tee about your next property move, contact him at +65 9851 7868.