Engel & Völkers
  • 3 min read

Do you know what the role of an estate agent is?

If you are thinking of leaving your current job and retraining to reinvent yourself professionally, the real estate sector could be a good option.

This job might catch your attention, but you may have doubts about what exactly your role would be. In that case, this article will be very helpful, as we will list the functions of a real estate advisor, as well as the necessary requirements.


What is a real estate advisor?

A real estate advisor is a professional—or expert in the field—who is dedicated to helping or advising clients in the processes of buying and selling various properties, such as land or buildings. This ensures that transactions are carried out effectively.

These professionals—also known as real estate consultants or agents—have extensive experience in the market and offer various services to clients.

After the real estate crisis, the property business world changed. Not only did prices vary greatly (and continue to do so depending on economic and international conditions), but coinciding with the digital boom, the way properties are promoted and transactions are made has also changed.

What are the functions of a real estate agent?

During their workday, this professional is responsible for performing tasks in various areas, such as commercial, legal, and administrative.

This has greatly facilitated real estate operations, and consultants are praised for directly increasing the number of transactions.

Since one person is exclusively dedicated to consulting tasks, duties are diversified, and interesting connections are made between clients from different parts of the world.

This has been crucial because there are always investors from different countries looking for investment opportunities, and it is essential to have someone who can attract that capital by offering a property that fits their needs.

If you're considering starting out and becoming a real estate consultant, these would be your duties:


Connecting with the global market

Thanks to the ease of national and international communication provided by the internet, a real estate consultant has the opportunity to more easily connect buyers and sellers from around the world. Therefore, commercial functions will be one of your priorities.

Searching for new real estate properties

The agent must know how to navigate the market and seek advice to expand the real estate agency's portfolio of properties. 

Knowledge of appraisals and pricing

Mastering the art of appraising and understanding price fluctuations based on current indices is essential for increasing efficiency in this profession. This provides quick solutions both to the real estate agency and to clients interested in making a transaction.


Mastery of the real estate business through the web

Web promotion on real estate portals is one of the most efficient ways to buy, sell, and rent properties today. Mastering this world and everything related to real estate marketing positions consultants as versatile assets, making them indispensable.

Knowing how to edit photos and having good shots also makes properties more attractive (and helps close a sale that satisfies both buyer and seller).

Phone contact with potential clients

You will need to act as a real estate salesperson. Managing contacts, whether through phone calls, emails, or other means, is crucial for keeping communication channels open and maintaining the interest of those who want to make a transaction.


In-depth knowledge of the properties

Mobility and first-hand knowledge of the properties remain one of the basic principles for understanding the condition of the property involved in any transaction.


Contract preparation and negotiation with interested parties

Preparing contracts and successfully negotiating with both parties is a key tool for facilitating the transaction and earning money from it.

As an independent real estate advisor, learning different aspects of this business allows you to increase your income over time.


Closing the sale and final signature

Knowing the mechanism for closing a sale and signing contracts is necessary for a purchase, sale, or rental transaction to be successful.

Depending on the real estate agency where you develop your work, you will need to perform some or all of these functions, and possibly others as well.

International real estate consulting firms operate with fixed standards, and their list of requirements is generally broad, which can be beneficial for someone just starting and unsure of how much to charge.

A local company can also be a good way to start on this path, and depending on the characteristics of each real estate consultant, it may be an interesting alternative.


Requirements to be a real estate consultant

To perform your role well and be a successful real estate agent, it is important to develop certain skills, such as:

Knowing the market

It is important to stay up to date to be a good real estate agent and know the trends so you are aware of the latest developments, as well as your clients' demand or the housing prices in different areas.

Listening to clients

Since you will be responsible for advising, it is essential that you know how to listen and convey what the client needs. Only by doing so can you gain more clients and build trust.


Ability to adapt

It is a highly dynamic market, so it's important to be able to easily adapt to both market changes and new laws.


Organization

A real estate advisor must be organized. This will help you manage all administrative tasks and procedures that you will need to handle.


People skills

If charisma and persuasion are your strengths, they will serve you well in building good conversations that can lead to selling more properties or homes.


How to become a real estate advisor

It is advisable to undertake some training to develop skills and understand the industry. This will help you acquire the knowledge and expertise needed to master your role, and above all, it will make it easier for you to stand out as an independent worker or join a team.

How much does a real estate agent earn?

In this regard, it is important to mention that the more experience, client portfolio, and training you have, the higher your salary will be. All of this will help you earn higher commissions, thereby increasing your income.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the salary for a real estate advisor is usually higher than the average salary in Spain. According to the National Institute of Statistics, the average salary was €26,948.87 per worker in 2022, based on data published on June 20, 2024.

Moreover, according to Macdonald & Company in this report, the average salary of a real estate agent in Southern European countries is around €75,000 per year.


Working as a real estate advisor

The profession of real estate advisor is a very interesting option for those looking to reinvent or reorient their professional career, as in the case of Sonia Catalán, a success story who stood out without prior experience in the real estate market, thanks to the tools provided by Engel & Völkers, and her dedication and hard work.

So, if you’ve made the decision and know you want to work as a real estate advisor, or if you have experience in this sector, at Engel & Völkers we’d be happy to meet you and receive your application to work with us in the industry.


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Engel & Völkers Spain

Avenida Diagonal 640, 6B

08017 Barcelona, España

Tel: +34 900 747 281