The profession of a real estate agent is attractive to many people because it offers many opportunities and a lot of variety. Real estate agents are by no means only responsible for the sale of apartments, houses and plots of land; upon request they also conduct market analyses to determine the exact value of a property. This article shows which tasks real estate agents have in detail and how interested parties can become real estate agents.
What are the responsibilities of a real estate agent?
More and more people want to become real estate agents . Being a real estate agent has now become one of the most popular professions – especially for career changers. In this profession everything revolves around real estate. The range of tasks extends from advising and determining the value of properties to handing over the keys after a successful house purchase. In addition to buying and selling, real estate agents are also responsible for renting and leasing properties and plots of land. Anyone looking for a suitable property to buy or rent will find the right place with a real estate agent, as will someone who wants to sell or rent out their property. The field of activity of a real estate agent is wide-ranging.
Responsibilities include:
- Sale and rental of properties and land
- Market analysis
- Property valuation
- Support and advice for prospective clients
- Taking over negotiations
- Rental and leasing
- Preparation of exposés and sales documents
- Conducting property viewings
- Credit check
- Preparation of a handover report
What qualifications should a real estate agent have?
Besides a general interest in the profession, aspiring real estate agents should possess some basic qualities. Above all, they should be good with people and be able to express themselves well orally and in writing. They should also not shy away from customer contact and should bring a high level of commitment and empathy. In addition, real estate professionals should have sales talent and acquire commercial and legal knowledge as part of vocational training or further education.
What are the advantages of real estate agents?
Of course, property owners can also sell their house or condominium on their own, but it's not just safer, but also easier, to hire a real estate agent. Due to their often broad portfolio, agents take over many tasks – from attractive advertising and market analysis to valuation and the actual sale. Those who are not familiar with selling real estate are not immune to mistakes, which in the worst case can have legal consequences.
How do I become a real estate agent?
The profession of the real estate agent belongs to the so-called "regulated trade", which requires appropriate knowledge and skills. In principle there are two options to work independently as a real estate agent. A prerequisite is the being at least 18 years of age. The easiest way to get started is if you already have a university or University of Applied Sciences degree is in place. In this case, one year of practical experience is sufficient to be able to work as a real estate agent after registering the business with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
Another option is the career change in the profession, which is likely to be of particular interest to older people. Here too, prospective real estate clerks must demonstrate a practical activity, the length of which, however, depends on the respective school leaving qualification or prior education. The duration is
- for a law or economics degree, one year,
- after a general upper secondary school, two years,
- after a vocational school, one and a half years,
- after completed training as an office or real estate clerk, two years and
- after a three-year training, two years.
When is the qualification exam to become a real estate agent?
In connection with training to become a real estate agent, the so-called qualification exam is often mentioned. This is an exam that, for lateral entrants, follows the practical activity. The most important exam contents include the areas of activity a real estate agent must be familiar with, such as
- Tenancy law,
- Fundamental rights,
- Housing law,
- Zoning and development regulations and
- Commercial law.
Conclusion: Qualifying as a real estate agent is also possible via lateral entry
Being a real estate agent is an interesting profession with many opportunities. In principle there are several routes to becoming a real estate agent — either after a university or university of applied sciences degree, or after a school or vocational school diploma with a corresponding year of practical experience. In this case, an additional qualification exam must be taken, which covers the main areas of activity of a prospective real estate agent.
