Estate Agent
What is the work like?
Estate agents, also known as sales negotiators, market and sell property for clients
As an estate agent, your main aim would be to negotiate between buyers and sellers, and use your knowledge of the local property market to get the best price for the seller or client. Your work would include:
- viewing properties and taking photos and measurements
- advising clients about the buying and selling process
- valuing properties
- marketing and advertising properties for sale
- showing potential buyers around
- negotiating a price that is acceptable to the buyer and the seller
- arranging conveyancing
- managing rented properties and collecting rent.
A large part of your work would be in residential sales, but you could also be involved in business and commercial property, lettings and property management, auctions and selling land.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Most employers are more interested in your skills and experience than your formal qualifications. You should have good 'people skills' and sales skills, and you will find it useful to have previous experience of customer service work.
You may be able to start as an administrator in an estate agency, and work your way up as your experience grows. Some estate agents are qualified building surveyors, although this not essential (see the related profiles for more information).
You may be able to get into this job through a property services Apprenticeship. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
You would normally start as a trainee sales negotiator, and learn on the job from experienced staff. Your training may include the chance to achieve industry-recognised qualifications such as the work-based NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Sale of Residential Property.
Alternatively, you could take exam-based National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) Level 3 Technical Awards in:- Sale of Residential Property
- Residential Letting and Property Management
- Commercial Property Agency
- Real Property Auctioneers.
You could study for these qualifications as a new or experienced estate agent.
With experience, you can progress to NFOPP Level 5 Diploma courses in:
- Residential Estate Agency
- Residential Letting and Management
- Commercial Property Agency.
You can study for the NFOPP qualifications by distance learning, or part-time at some local colleges. See the NFOPP website for more details.
The National Association of Estate Agents (which is now part of NFOPP) also offers a range of short courses to help your professional development throughout your career.
You could also choose to take further training to qualify as a home inspector, domestic energy assessor or surveyor. For more information, see the relevant job profiles or visit the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) website.
Where can I go for more information?
Surveyor CourtWestwood Way
Coventry
CV4 8JE
Tel: 0870 333 1600
6 Tournament Court
Edgehill Drive
Warwick
CV34 6LG
48 New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4EP
Helpline: 08000 567160
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
You would usually earn a basic salary, plus extra commission based on a percentage of your sales.
- Starting salaries for trainees can be around £12,000 to £15,000 a year basic, plus commission.
- With experience this can rise to £20,000 to £30,000 a year basic, plus commission.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job you would work around 35 to 40 hours a week, normally between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Some agencies also open later in the evening or on Sundays. Part-time work is often available.
You would be based in an office or high street agency. You would spend a lot of your time visiting properties to show people around and make valuations.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent spoken and written communication skills
- strong negotiation and sales skills
- the ability to deal with people from all backgrounds
- good business sense
- an interest in property and the housing market
- good organisational and time-keeping skills
- a friendly, trustworthy and professional attitude
- computer skills
- the ability to work under pressure and meet sales targets.
A driving licence is useful and sometimes essential.
What opportunities are there?
Prospects are currently good, although demand for estate agents depends on the state of the property market, which can vary from region to region.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, on employers' own websites, by specialist recruitment agencies and in trade magazines like Estate Agency News and The Negotiator (links open new window).
With experience and a good track record of sales, you could be promoted from sales negotiator to senior negotiator and manager. The larger chains of estate agents may offer more opportunities for promotion. You could also become self-employed as a partner in a firm, or set up your own agency.
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