What does a day in the life of an estate agent entail?
A day in the life of an estate agent entails hard work and commitment. One must try and have a timetable and stick to it.
I spend at least an hour a day phoning prospective sellers and real sellers and then another hour phoning lists of buyers.
As a result, you often have a phone glued to your ear. My advice is to always play it low key and just be friendly.
Why did you decide on this career?
I never actually made the decision to become an estate agent. The job fell into my lap and things then snowballed from there.
How did you get into this career?
I came back from overseas with absolutely no money and with children to educate and feed. I was looking for a house and an estate agent then suggested that I become her assistant. I took her up on the offer and when she subsequently moved on, my boss said I should give it a go. The rest is history.
What's challenging about the job?
You really need to be able to take knocks. Just when you think a sale is about to go through, suddenly it does not.
The other challenging aspects are that people constantly let you down and don't always tell you the truth. The most challenging part of the job, however, is to not let it bring you down.
What do you enjoy the most about it?
This is a people-orientated job and I enjoy meeting all the different types of clients as well as seeing all the various kinds of houses. Each one tells a story.
I also enjoy the property-related education that I have learned from being an estate agent such as the legal and financing aspects.
What type of person will make a success of this position?
Anyone that strives towards success and is prepared to work hard and consistently would make a good agent.
What subjects do you need to pass in high school to be able to study towards this career?
No subjects are particularly necessary, but your English should be good. Also, a course in computers would be essential. It may not be on the curriculum but your people skills are of the utmost importance.
What does one study at tertiary level to be able to get into this career?
There are many various estate agent courses available.
What growth prospects are there in this career?
The growth prospects within an estate agency career is to try and do the best that you can in your specific area and then become a specialist in that area. You could also go into the training or management of other estate agents.
What career opportunities exist for an agent?
You could move into training or management.
What is the starting salary for an agent?
There is no starting salary. When you have passed the exam to become an estate agent, you become an assistant. It then depends on you to demonstrate your skills and to do your best.
l The writer is an agent at Vered Estates.
Huge rewards in property dealing
What does a day in the life of an estate agent entail?
A day in the life of an estate agent entails hard work and commitment. One must try and have a timetable and stick to it.
I spend at least an hour a day phoning prospective sellers and real sellers and then another hour phoning lists of buyers.
As a result, you often have a phone glued to your ear. My advice is to always play it low key and just be friendly.
Why did you decide on this career?
I never actually made the decision to become an estate agent. The job fell into my lap and things then snowballed from there.
How did you get into this career?
I came back from overseas with absolutely no money and with children to educate and feed. I was looking for a house and an estate agent then suggested that I become her assistant. I took her up on the offer and when she subsequently moved on, my boss said I should give it a go. The rest is history.
What's challenging about the job?
You really need to be able to take knocks. Just when you think a sale is about to go through, suddenly it does not.
The other challenging aspects are that people constantly let you down and don't always tell you the truth. The most challenging part of the job, however, is to not let it bring you down.
What do you enjoy the most about it?
This is a people-orientated job and I enjoy meeting all the different types of clients as well as seeing all the various kinds of houses. Each one tells a story.
I also enjoy the property-related education that I have learned from being an estate agent such as the legal and financing aspects.
What type of person will make a success of this position?
Anyone that strives towards success and is prepared to work hard and consistently would make a good agent.
What subjects do you need to pass in high school to be able to study towards this career?
No subjects are particularly necessary, but your English should be good. Also, a course in computers would be essential. It may not be on the curriculum but your people skills are of the utmost importance.
What does one study at tertiary level to be able to get into this career?
There are many various estate agent courses available.
What growth prospects are there in this career?
The growth prospects within an estate agency career is to try and do the best that you can in your specific area and then become a specialist in that area. You could also go into the training or management of other estate agents.
What career opportunities exist for an agent?
You could move into training or management.
What is the starting salary for an agent?
There is no starting salary. When you have passed the exam to become an estate agent, you become an assistant. It then depends on you to demonstrate your skills and to do your best.
l The writer is an agent at Vered Estates.