Job Description

Working as an estate agent, you`ll usually specialise in either sales or letting of residential or commercial properties, businesses or land on behalf of your clients. You`ll value and market properties, with the aim of negotiating the best price for your client.

Your role will involve frequent liaison with banks, building societies, mortgage brokers, surveyors, solicitors and other estate agencies during transactions. You may also handle sales taking place via auction.

Types of estate agent
You`ll usually specialise in one area of estate agency, such as:

residential sales
residential lettings
commercial sales
commercial lettings
rural estate.
Responsibilities
As an estate agent !

-collect information about a property and arrange for photographs to be taken
-visit and talk to sellers about their property and its special features
-estimate the value of a property
-market and promote properties for sale
-represent the sellers in negotiation with prospective buyers
-monitor sales as they proceed and liaise with all interested parties including mortgage brokers, solicitors, surveyors and other estate agents
-advise clients and help buyers decide what they want to buy
-make sure that the price agreed is acceptable to both buyer and seller
-keep up to date with trends in the relevant property market.

If you work in the lettings area of estate agency you`ll need to:

-vet prospective tenants by collecting references and doing credit checks
-ensure properties meet legal and health and safety requirements, e.g. gas safety certificates
-draw up tenancy agreement contracts
-collect or organise rent payments
-act as a property manager and resolve any issues that arise with properties.

Salary
Starting salaries for estate agents are in the region of £14,000 to £16,000 on-target earnings (OTE) for trainee posts.