Estate agent

Estate agents arrange the sale of property.

Also known as:

Valuer – buildings

Work activities

Estate agents work with clients who want to sell land or property (sellers) and those who want to buy it (purchasers). Estate agents arrange the sale of property. Many also offer property management services. Firms of estate agents may specialise in residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural property.

Most estate agents also act as negotiators between purchasers and sellers. They help purchasers to decide what they want to buy, advise on the amount of money that they may borrow, make sure that a price is agreed that is acceptable to both purchaser and seller, and arrange conveyancing.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

Estate agents need to:

Be understanding and patient, as buying and selling property can be stressful for people.
Have the confidence and skills needed to encourage sales.
Be able to put people at ease, as you will spend a large part of your working week dealing with clients, face to face.
Be of smart appearance.
Have a good level of numeracy.
Keep up to date with any legal changes in the industry.
A driving licence is useful, as estate agents have to visit properties and clients.

A number of key skills have been identified by employers in the sector:

Management skills.
Communication skills.
Knowledge of industry-based green/environmental issues.
An understanding of current government policy.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Estate agents earn in the range of £20,000, rising to £40,000 with experience. A company car is often provided with petrol allowance.

Estate agents work a 35-40-hour week. You may have early starts, late finishes and weekend work, usually on a rota basis.

Employers throughout the UK are estate agents’ offices ranging from multiple branch organisations to smaller partnerships and family-owned firms. Opportunities for estate agents occur with agencies in every town and city throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced estate agents to open their own agency, though this may require considerable investment.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

To get into this career, you need to have a reasonable level of education. However, employers often focus on personal qualities and skills rather than qualifications. A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship in the role of junior estate agent could be a great place to start.

Your training will mainly be on-the-job with supervision by an experienced agent. Many estate agents attend external training courses to further their careers. The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA Propertymark) offers qualifications and courses in residential estate agency, and commercial property agency. There are a number of foundation degrees and HNDs in estate agency available throughout the UK.

Experienced estate agents can move into managerial roles. Some estate agents take further training and work in other property-based careers, such as surveying.

Qualifications

To become an estate agent, you need to have had a good general education. GCSEs at grades 9-4 in English and maths would be very useful if you want to enter this career. You also need good communication skills and to be of smart appearance.

If you wish to enter this career through an intermediate apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills gained in, for example, sales, marketing, customer service or surveying, are useful.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA Propertymark), via the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP), offers a range of relevant qualifications by distance learning.

Self-employment in independent practice is possible for experienced estate agents.

Related careers

Auctioneer
Domestic energy assessor
Insurance claims investigator
Licensed conveyancer
Sales negotiator
Surveyor
Valuer