A Taste of Life as a Real Estate Agent: Joy Debienne’s Internship at Living Stone

A breath of fresh air. New insights. That’s the impact of a real estate internship at Living Stone. Real estate intern Joy Debienne stepped into the world of real estate and immediately got a taste of everything: rentals, sales, client contact, site visits, administration… A mix of it all, learning everything at once. It was intense, challenging, but above all incredibly educational. Joy discovered just how versatile a career as a real estate agent really is. And one thing is certain: theory is important, but gaining experience? That’s worth its weight in gold. Join Joy as she looks back on her internship at Living Stone. 

Experience & Responsibilities

Joy’s internship was a mix of everything the real estate industry has to offer. She mainly focused on listing properties online, taking 360° photos, reviewing and following up on applications, accompanying clients on property tours, and managing lease agreements with tenants and landlords.“No two days were the same,” she says.

Joy enjoyed the property tours the most. “You get to see different houses and apartments every time, meet new people, and share your expertise with potential tenants or buyers. Every visit and every client has their own story.”

She also looks back with pride on how quickly she was able to start working independently. “After just one week, I was already able to conduct visits and follow up on applications on my own. I had expected it to take longer, so this immediately gave me a boost of confidence.”

Skills & Growth

During her internship, Joy developed many new skills. “My communication skills improved significantly, both over the phone and in person. At first, I found phone calls nerve-wracking, but by the end I felt much more confident. My organizational skills also improved. You quickly learn to multitask and keep track of everything.”

The internship also changed her perspective on real estate.“Real estate is so much more than just renting or selling properties. It involves a lot of administrative work, follow-up, and customer contact… It’s a perfect blend of commercial and administrative work. I hadn’t really realized that before.”

Clients & Partnerships

Customer interaction was a major part of the internship. “Every customer is different, so you quickly learn to adapt your communication style. Patience is very important. My bilingualism was also a big advantage, especially with French-speaking customers.”

Working with my colleagues went very well.“The team is young, energetic, and very open. I felt welcome right away and could always ask questions. That’s how you build a rapport and learn faster.”

There were also some unexpected situations. “Sometimes we schedule a visit, people sign up… but then don’t show up. That was quite surprising to me and shows that you always have to be flexible and ready for the unexpected.”

Team & Atmosphere

From the very start of her internship, Joy immediately felt welcome at Living Stone. “Everyone was very open and asked questions spontaneously to get to know me better, which made me feel at ease right away.”

The atmosphere within the team played a key role in that.“We work hard, but there’s also room to laugh and just be yourself. For example, I remember one afternoon when we all had spaghetti together—made by two colleagues. It was a really fun time, with lots of talking and laughing, and it helped me get to know everyone better.”

Joy also found it particularly valuable to accompany her colleagues to meetings. “Those were moments when I could learn a lot, but at the same time really experience the pleasant and positive work atmosphere.”

What made the difference for her was how approachable the team was. “Everyone is friendly, helpful, and easygoing. You really feel at home here, and that makes it much easier to ask questions and continue growing professionally.”

For Joy, it’s clear: “I would definitely recommend Living Stone to future interns or colleagues. Not only because it’s a strong team, but mainly because they really make time for you and give you the chance to grow and become independent.”

Tips & Advice

What advice would Joy give to future interns?“Are you passionate about real estate? Go for it! Ask questions, take the initiative, and be yourself. You learn the most by just doing things. Just go for it.”

If she could start over, she would be more daring from the very beginning and let go of her reserve. “At first, I was a bit reserved because everything was new, but that turned out to be completely unnecessary. By taking the initiative early on, you learn so much more.”

Her tip for getting the most out of an internship at Living Stone: “Show that you’re motivated and can work independently. That way, you’ll get more opportunities and learn much faster.”

Personal reflection

What qualities are important for success in real estate? “Good communication, flexibility, passion, and professional expertise. Those really make the difference.”

The internship gave her a realistic picture of the industry. “Theory in school is important, but practical experience is even more valuable. Now I feel better prepared to effectively enter the real estate world in the future.”

Join the team!

Joy Debienne’s internship shows just how challenging and rewarding a (BIV) internship in real estate can be. Are you passionate about real estate and interested in gaining hands-on experience as part of a young, dynamic team? Apply now to Living Stone via melissa.wispenninck@living-stone.be and start your own real estate adventure!