Property and Real Estate
Real Estate Agent
If you’re a ‘people person’, and dream of an exciting and varied work life that financially rewards you for the hours you put in, you should consider becoming a real estate agent.
Real Estate Agents are licensed professionals who help people who want to buy, sell or rent property. They help people prepare their homes for sale or rent, and they also help people find a property to buy or rent. Some real estate agents work with commercial property (like factories, retail and office property), and some manage rental property on behalf of the owner.
Watch the video from Seek Learning A day in the life of a Real Estate Agent
Salary range:
According to Payscale, median salary is $48,385 but those with more experience can earn $77,585 per year and with commission up to $97,871.
Qualifications Required:
Wherever you live, in order to work in Real Estate, you must first be registered or licensed. Most people who start out in real estate get a Certificate III or IV in Property Services (Real Estate) and undertake some on-the-job training.
To become a Principal (someone who runs their own agency) you’ll need an Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma, or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Here’s how to get started
Getting some initial experience within the industry could be a helpful stepping stone - applying for work experience or administration roles with a real estate agent will give you an insight into the job and add some credible experience to your resume.
But before you can work on your own you need to become licensed. There are plenty of study options out there - TAFE, for example, offers online courses specific to NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and WA. Check in with your local TAFE to see what courses they offer.
What does the work look like?
No two days will be the same. You could spend your time showing houses and apartments to potential buyers, providing quotes to possible sellers, or even managing rental property which could be anything from arranging repairs to following up with tenants who haven’t paid the rent.
You’ll generally be dealing with people all day long, and you’ll need a good grasp of money and finances because you’re helping people with their biggest investment – their home.
Great real estate agents often have these skills:
Effective communication
Active listening
Organisational skills
Attention to detail
Negotiation
Good time keeping
Resources:
Bendigo TAFE offers the Agents Representative Certificate: http://www.bendigotafe.edu.au/Courses/Pages/Agents-Representative-Certificate.aspx
Real Estate Institute of Victoria https://reiv.com.au/
Job Outlook for Real Estate Agents: https://joboutlook.gov.au/Occupation.aspx?search=Career&code=6121