Estate Agent – Job Description

Estate agents are a heady mix of salesperson, customer service adviser and go-between. As a result, you’ll need to be good with people and numbers, have an in-depth knowledge of the property market and the law and be confident and able to think on your feet.

Everyone knows about an estate agent’s primary role showing prospective buyers round properties. Estate agents also need to convince sellers that their agency is the one to use, arrange property advertising, send out details to potential buyers and then make viewing appointments. Liaising with mortgage arrangers and advisers is another major part of the job.

Estate agents come in all shapes and sizes, both physically and educationally. There are no set entry-level requirements. Good GCSEs (and above) will always help you to stand out, but your general manner is as important as a bunch of certificates. As a result, trainee estate agents can be school leavers or more mature people looking for a career change.

Once in the job, the learning begins. For younger workers aged between 16 and 24, apprenticeships are a possibility, leading to an NVQ in the Sale of Residential Property. Diplomas in residential and commercial disciplines as well as letting and property management are often studied for, while shadowing experienced negotiators and agents.

Degrees in property studies or real estate management are also available, requiring two to three A levels or equivalent qualifications.

Browse our current vacancies in:

Banking, Real Estate and Mortgage

Other recommended resources:

National Association of Estate Agents
The portal for all estate agents in the UK to train, develop their careers, exchange best practice guidelines and technique and keep themselves updated with the latest policy and protocol. Membership gets you in on the action as well as support and guidance throughout your career, whatever level you are at.

National Homes Network
Run by estate agents, for estate agents, the National Homes Network is a great resource for support and information aimed at maintaining high standards and advancing best practice guidelines. They host a National Homes magazine which brings you the latest estate agency news as well as interior and landscape design and architecture – knowledge and up-to-date understanding of trends in which can really help an estate agent stand out.

The Property Ombudsman
An industry regulator, membership to the Property Ombudsman can help you keep on top of policy and procedure and avoid any issues or complaints. All estate agents are required by law to register with an Estate Agents Redress Scheme, one of which is hosted by TPO. But they’re not all about complaints and catching estate agents out – they also protect your side of the agreement.

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Some, but not all, estate agents are members of the RICS. You can gain chartered status through this organisation, as well as training and up-to-date industry-relevant information.

Independent Network of Estate Agents
An independent organisation bringing together estate agents to share ideas and information. They also develop software to improve the lives of estate agents and allow access to local properties for purchase

Asset Skills
An employer-led skills body serving the property industry. If you are interest in getting into an estate agent role, this resource is really useful for information and insight as well as routes into the profession.

Estate Agency News
An online news resource bringing you the latest in the estate agent business, with industry-relevant news and information as well as opinion and debate.