I need some advice please! Do you know what being an estate agent is like?

Question

Im 16 and im going to college in a year, but i have to choose my course in about 7 months. i havent a clue what i want to do! its not that i dont know what to do, its that theres so much i want to do. Im very ambitious and i know it sounds stupid, but i want a very well paid job, where i can meet lots of people, that i love. Im really interested in property and i like the idea of an estate agent. The thing that worrys me about it is that it might be very hard to find a job because if i do the property studies course to be an estate agent, i will be very limited in what job i can get. Does anyone know first hand what its like? All answers appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

well you don't need qualifications to be an estate agent all you need is

a drivers licence

confidence

Patience

ability to bottle up your emotions

my partner has been ana estate agents since he was 18.

his typical working hours are 8am-7pm with viewings sometimes till 8pm.

he works 6 days a week, sometimes 7, 3 days off a month is what he usually gets.

his take home wage is £1000 a month, the most he has taken home is £2000 but that was when the market was good.

its a myth that estate agents are well paid, unless you own the business and its successful.

london wages are usually better, but then living costs in london are higher aswell.

my partner gets stressed out alot, running around after vendors who waste his time or finding houses for fussy indesisive viewers.

i wouldnt reccomend it unless you plan to be your own boss one day,

you say you want a well paid job where you get to meet lots of people that you love, then i DEFINITLY wouldnt suggest estate agency, i know about 6 poeple in the buisness and mostly there just stressed.

Answer 2

Ive been an estate agent in Plymouth for 5 years I'm 24 years old.

You must be able to Drive that's the only paper qualification you need.

Personality wise you will need to:

work under pressure

meet targets

be flexible and be able to get along with the general public

sell mortgages, life insurance, and of course house's!!

Friendly and enthusiastic

be able to handle calls where everything is you fault, market, falling prices, no viewings.....

Be able to stand up for yourself when it comes to office poltics - in a commission based office full of girls, arguments will happen!!

We have a very stress full life, i started at 8.30 today finished at 7,30pm.

We have a bad rep so you always start on the back foot, However proving we are not a stereo typical estate agent is so satisfying and selling a house, mortgage and finding the perfect house for a buyer gives you a real buzz, its makes it all worthwhile.

Times are very hard at the moment but there are jobs around.

Basic pay for me is 12.500k i earnt 22k in 2006 - 17k 2007 and it will be even less this year - but that it the risk you take in sales.

Its a fun job that keeps you very busy

any questions just let me know xx