Becoming an estate agent

[J hague]

Hi I am currently studying at college on a course in construction and property management and with it been nearly half way through I have started to consider future career paths. I have always had a interest in property from a very young age which has lead me to contemplating a career as an estate agent. I have a driven personality and excel under pressure. I have a very mature attitude even though still been fairly young and will happily accept a lot of responsibility. Also I can easily fit into a team but also I can be very competitive which using these mean i can fit into many different working environments.
I would love some information about careers as estate agent from first hand account of the life a estate agent through to information about such things as Workload, Training needed, Qualifications needed and Salary.
Any information would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Josh.

[drhouse]

Originally Posted by J hague

Hi I am currently studying at college on a course in construction and property management and with it been nearly half way through I have started to consider future career paths. I have always had a interest in property from a very young age which has lead me to contemplating a career as an estate agent. I have a driven personality and excel under pressure. I have a very mature attitude even though still been fairly young and will happily accept a lot of responsibility. Also I can easily fit into a team but also I can be very competitive which using these mean i can fit into many different working environments.
I would love some information about careers as estate agent from first hand account of the life a estate agent through to information about such things as Workload, Training needed, Qualifications needed and Salary.
Any information would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Josh.

Anyone wanting to be an estate agent in the current climate has to be brave or daft. Anyway it can be exciting, boring, nerve jangling, depressing, confidence boosting, scary, pleasurable, disgusting and that is only a very small part of it.

Firstly qualifications. You need none, zip, nada. Quite shocking isn't it. However if you want to do it properly join a good firm who will commit to training you. Some of the nationals are really good at this but so are some independents. You need to speak to them to see what they would offer. There are NVQs available. The NAEA - National associations provide a good course for a recognised qualification but it is not cheap - best scenario is you find an employer to pay for it.

Workload varies. In December I spent my time looking at You Tube, I still am but much less so now as it is picking up a bit. However, I am the boss so can do what I like as an employee you will be given loads of pointless tasks !

Salary - depends where you are. Most will pay a basic (low) + commission. When I was employed with a national I made a fortune in commission but the market was good. If that had been last year I couldn't have survived on a basic salary. Bear that in mind. Actually i made more money employed than with my own company but that was my choice.

Pros - lots of variety, meet loads of different people, can be exciting - I still get a buzz from matching the right house to the right person.
Cons - Can be boring, meet some not so nice people, have to look at some minging properties and then try to sell them.

However, if you see Estae Agency as a fast track to getting cheap properties to develop .....NO. You will be found out and your name will be mud before you know it.

Although I love what I do if I was starting out right now I wouldn't do it. The market is too tough.

[J hague]

Many thanks for info. Going to have to have a long think before decide anything, moveing in a few weeks and after that I am going to try to get some placement in a estate agents to get a taste of the industry before makeing any decisions.

[kevinc]

I am also looking into starting a career as an estate agent! Having studied for 2 degrees and worked for a construction consultancy, this is a change of career path really.

I believe there is the technical awards that you can study for and then become a member of the ARLA if you want to get into lettings or property management.

I do hope to see some more comments coming!

[propertydiamond]

I would say some experience is most definitely important, you learn loads just by viewing and doing in that environment. Reading up on property and finance is a good idea and keeping abreast of the economic climate etc can only help.

[CCLH91]

If there's one thing I've learnt in any sales environment, especially sellings services, is that its not so much about your expertise in the area but about knowing whats good about yours and bad about others (even ona very basic level) and then alot of the gift of the gab. That'll get you started, then you've got closing,questioning &listening but you'll get that in your induction training so dont worry too much about that really.
All the qualities you described sound sweet as a nut. But can you talk for england and just chat crap? R u outgoing in NEW situations? If you answer yes to those two then without a doubt, you mate, are goin to make money. Personally i learnt the confidence however i could already chat for england but only really around friends so i hope you do t tale me as being demeaning, just imformative in a harsh, gritty truth kinda way lol

[mariya]

Hi J hague,
You are looking for career in real estate, it’s great. Very good opportunities in UK.This career gives you innovative ideas, confidence, and not boring if you come with positive attitude. Important thing is that in this field daily you can meet different kind of people that will help you in understanding their thinking, way of talking. This will help in professional as well as personal life also. I have been working in this field from long time. When I was started at that I was thinking for the same. But now I am well settled and happy. Sometimes I had faced some problems also, but in same time I had found the solution. So don’t worry . Start with great energy.

[Select Estate Agents]

It's a great job to get into... I love the freedom of not being stuck in an office and the opportunity to interact with new people...

Just remember not too become the stereotypical agent... people respect honesty and integrity. Be straight with people and you will got far

[J hague]

Hi all

Thankyou very much for all the information and advice.

I have recently got a job at a medium size estate agents which i am currently doing aswell as a college course in constuction and the built enviroment. I am really enjoying it and wouldnnt want to do anything different at the moment although i am concidering chartered surveying in the future. I deal mostly with viewings and go on my boss on vauations while i also spend alot of time with the office to myself which as spring comes seems to be getting alot busyer.

Jamie

[Luke Owen]

would suggest work experience comes before anything else, even if it is a saturday job at your local estate agents