Estate agent

[milly143]

How would I go about becoming an estate agent and do I need any quals? What kind of money do they make?

[willow74]

There are no specific qualifications for entry to an estate agency.  A large number of non-graduates are employed but the number of graduates recruited nowadays is increasing.  It is essential to become a qualified estate agent in order to progress.  There are several ways of doing this.

The College of Estate Management
The college offers a correspondence course and no academic qualifications are required to enrol.
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Minimum entry requirements for this course are 5 subjects including 2 'A' levels and GCSEs (A-C) in Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications).  Exemption from RICS exams is possible with approved qualifications
National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)

Membership of the association is open to people practising as estate agents, either by themselves or with others.  The main grades of membership are:

Fellow - person must be 25 years old, have at least 5 years experience in estate agency and hold the NAEA Intermediate Certificate of Practice in Estate Agency.  Equivalent qualifications will be recognised.

PERSONAL QUALITIES
Estate Agency work is different from most other forms of selling.  For all parties involved the decision to buy or sell is a big one.  The ability to get on with and influence people is of great importance.  Estate Agents must be able to analyse situations, make shrewd judgements and have practical approach to problem solving.

Estate Agents act as a link between seller and buyer so they must be positive and confident about their judgements.  A capacity for figure work and a good telephone manner are necessary.  S/he should also be able to write clear, concise sales literature in accordance with legislative guidelines.

 

[willow74]

Salary wise it is part basic part commission based.  basic tends to be low at about �13000pa + Car.  Commission is dependent on how good you are.  i would say you would clear �25k a yr average. good agents about �50k

[willow74]

After all my waffling check this out

http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile247/

[Miss Zippy]

Basic salaries are low and even with commission on top, this will only take you up to national average earnings of around �25k if you're lucky (I used to work in an estate agency part time whilst a student).  Bearing in mind you need to work long unsocial hours, it's not well paid.

[Miss Zippy]

Sorry, crossed with Willow74's latest answer.

[milly143]

Thanks for all your help Willow, great answer. It's just an avenue I have always been interested in so I will certainly look in to it.

[Careers_Advice_Service]

Hi there,

Willow - the link you posted has now changed to http://careersadvice....lename=Estate%20Agent .

Thanks,

Careers Advice Service