What is an estate agent?
An estate agent is a licensed professional who represents buyers or sellers in real estate transactions. They arrange the selling, renting, or management of properties and other buildings. They also liaise with clients, solicitors, and other property professionals to negotiate sales and lettings on residential or commercial properties.
How to become an estate agent?
A degree is not an essential entry requirement for this career but increasing competition for employment means that taking a degree, foundation degree or HND.
You may be able to start as a trainee sales negotiator and learn on the job or you could also start as an administrator in an estate agency or lettings company and work your way up.
Local knowledge of the area where you’ll be working would be an advantage. You could start by taking qualifications offered by an industry body like NAEA Propertymark.
Introductory qualifications can be done whether or not you’re working in property. There are also courses aimed at people in the industry who want to develop their career.
Estate agent duties
Estate agent duties are diverse and depend on the employer and specialty, but some responsibilities are common to most:
- Handling enquiries about properties from potential buyers
- Valuing properties
- Producing reports, brochures, promotional information and other written material
- Travelling to properties and conducting viewings
- Advise clients and help buyers decide what they want to buy
- Make sure that the price agreed is acceptable to both buyer and seller
- Keep up to date with trends in the relevant property market
Estate agent skills
To be an effective estate agent, you’ll need certain skills and competencies. The following are often cited in job vacancies:
- Negotiation skills
- Good communication skills and the ability to maintain a positive relationship with clients and colleagues
- Strong organisation skills
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- Customer service skills
- Ambition, drive and charisma
How to find an estate agent job
These jobs are advertised online, in local newspapers, and at your local jobcentre. To find all the estate agent jobs near you, you need to:
- Search for estate agent jobs on popular job websites such as; Indeed, Total Jobs and CV Library
- Use the DWP’s Find A Job Service
- Check local newspapers and local Facebook groups, especially groups dedicated to local jobs
Estate Agent Job Titles
When you search for estate agent jobs online, be aware that the jobs might be advertised using a different job title. Popular job titles for estate agent jobs include;
- Property agent
- Property sales negotiator
- Property sales consultant
What does an estate agent do?
An estate agent’s job varies depending on the job role and the company you’re working for. Check the duties and responsibilities of estate agent job advertisements to find jobs that best suit your skills and experience.
The day-to-day tasks of an estate agent include;
- Visit sellers and landlords to value properties
- Communicate regularly with potential buyers and tenants to share details of properties that meet their requirements
- Arrange viewing appointments and show properties to buyers or renters
- Get feedback on viewings
- Negotiate between buyers and sellers
- Generate sales leads for mortgages and conveyancing
- Deal in person, on the telephone and through email with solicitors, financial advisers and surveyors
- Manage auction sales
- Work to meet sales targets
- Update computer records