Estate agent
Estate agents sell and let commercial and residential property. Some also manage rental properties on behalf of owners.
Typical Salary
£23,000 – £40,000
per year
Working Hours
35–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an estate agent, you'll:
- value properties and advise on market rent levels
- arrange viewing appointments and show clients around properties
- negotiate between buyers and sellers
- work with professionals like surveyors, solicitors and conveyancers
- organise property maintenance and cleaning
- make sure the buying, selling and letting process meets legal requirements
Skills needed
- 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
- persuading and negotiating skills
- persistence and determination
- 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
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- training with a professional body
Career progression
With experience and a good sales record, you could be promoted to senior negotiator and then branch or lettings manager.
You could specialise in particular types of sales or rentals, like commercial property, holiday homes or student lets.
You might also become self-employed as a partner in a firm, or set up your own agency.