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Estate agent

Alternative titles for this job include Property agent

Estate agents sell and rent out commercial and residential property, acting as negotiators between buyers and sellers.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an estate agent

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training offered by a professional body

University

It's not essential to go to university to do this job but you may have an advantage with a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree.

Particularly relevant subjects include:

  • business studies
  • civil and structural engineering
  • estate management
  • property development or management
  • surveying
  • urban and land studies

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

Some estate agents offer an intermediate apprenticeship as a junior estate agent.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to start as a trainee sales negotiator and learn on the job.

You could also start as an administrator in an estate agents or lettings company and work your way up.

Local knowledge of the area where you'll be working would be an advantage.

Other Routes

You could take a course through an industry body like Propertymark.

There are courses for people looking to take their first steps into the industry as well as professional development courses for people with experience.

More Information

Career tips

Estate agents often work on commission. This means that you have a basic salary and also earn a percentage of the sale or rental price of any property you sell or rent. You might start on a guaranteed salary for a few months and then move to a commission based salary.

You may also have the chance to add to your earnings through bonuses linked to meeting individual or company sales targets.

Further information

You can find our more about working as an estate agent from Propertymark.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • persistence and determination
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You may:

  • value properties
  • contact people looking to buy or rent about potentially suitable properties
  • arrange viewing appointments and show clients around properties
  • get feedback on viewings
  • negotiate between buyers and sellers
  • generate sales leads for mortgages and conveyancing
  • call, email or meet with solicitors, financial advisers and surveyors
  • manage auction sales
  • work to meet sales targets
  • update computer records

Working environment

You could work in an office, at a store, at a client's business or at a client's home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You may specialise in residential or commercial properties.

With experience and a good sales record, you could be promoted from sales negotiator to senior negotiator and then branch manager.

Larger chains of estate agents may offer more opportunities for promotion than smaller companies.

You could also become self-employed as a partner in a firm or set up your own agency.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Estate Agent Apprentice

  • Wage: £14,196.00 Annually
  • Location: Ilfracombe

Junior Estate agent apprentice

  • Wage: £10,900.00 Annually
  • Location: Friars Alley, Lichfield

Courses In England

Building, Installation and Property Maintenance Skills - Level 3

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Blackpool

Building and Property Maintenance Diploma Level 2

  • Provider: WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Bury St. Edmunds

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