Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Estate Agent- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Working Life
It is the job of Estate Agents to advise clients looking to buy/ rent a property or those looking to sell/let it and then act on instructions. The work includes providing marketing strategies, valuations and negotiating to get the best deal for clients.
It’s a varied area that will bring you into contact with a wide range of people and organisations: you could work with both landlords (developers and investors) and tenants (occupiers), and with a number of colleagues in your firm.
The work may involve anything from producing marketing reports to negotiating deals and managing your own projects. You’ll spend plenty of time out of the office, measuring properties, producing marketing information, speaking to agents and negotiating deals. You’ll also be working closely with other departments (such as valuation, rent review and investment) so that you can provide detailed information to your client.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
- Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
- Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.
- Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.
- Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.
- Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
- Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.
- Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
- Interview clients to determine what kinds of properties they are seeking.
- Contact previous clients for prospecting of referral business.
Further Information
- Estate Agent- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Estate Agent- from: YouTube [UK]
- Estate agent- from: GradIreland
Interests - Estate Agent
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Entry / Progression - Estate Agent
There are many pathways into the role of estate agent / auctioneer. Prior experience in sales, marketing, customer service offer key skill building paths for this occupation.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: business administration, customer service, management.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: business management, sales, marketing, commerce, property management, services, auctioneering, estate management.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Finance, Sales, Auctioneering Apprenticeships.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business, auctioneering, economics, finance.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: sales, business, real estate, management, financial advice.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Pay & Salary - Estate Agent
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €70k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience. Uncapped rates can be based on commision and on target earnings.
Data Source(s):
Abrivia/ Morgan McKInley/ Sigmar/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Azon
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Estate Agent
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Buyers and procurement officers, Marketing associate professionals, Estate agents and auctioneers, Conference and exhibition managers and organisers, Property, housing and estate managers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Employment growth was above average for this occupation, having grown steadily between 2018 and 2021; employment levels have declined annually since (and by 3,000 in 2023). Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) were mainly for buyers and procurement officers. Approximately half of the new employment permits issued in 2023 were for the ICT sector (although the share in employment in this sector was small); roles included marketing executives, procurement and supply chain roles and account managers/strategists.
Difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to procurement and supply chain roles. Skills identified in the Spotlight on Skills data included bid preparation, procurement, and tender writing skills.
Useful Contacts - Estate Agent
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The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland
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Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers
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Society of Chartered Surveyors
