Estate Agent recruitment agency listing

An estate agent sells houses to prospective buyers. Their work involves advertising properties and matching properties with potential buyers.

Qualifications and key competencies

While formal qualifications can provide prospective estate agents with an advantage, most employers are more interested in candidates skills and experience. Experience in sales is particularly valued, as is knowledge of the housing market. For those without experience in sales, joining an estate agency as an administrator or secretary can be a valuable route to securing trainee estate agent jobs.

For those wishing to gain formal qualifications while in employment, NVQs in the Sale of Residential Property are available. The National Federation of Property Professionals and The National Association of Estate Agents also offer technical awards and certificates.

Key skills and competencies

Estate agent jobs can be found in independent and chain estate agencies in urban and rural locations. Most estate agents work between 35 and 40 hours a week, although hours vary greatly between employers. While estate agents work out of offices, much of their work involves travelling to properties. Since a great deal of driving is required, a driving licence is usually essential for all estate agent jobs. Recruitment agencies are a rich source of jobs for both prospective estate agents and qualified professionals.

Salaries

The starting salary for a trainee estate agent is around £12,000 a year, rising to around £30,000 a year with experience. Estate agents based in large cities and towns tend to receive higher salaries than those working in rural locations. Successful staff members wishing to broaden their career prospects may train to become property surveyors.