Engel & Völkers
  • 5 min read

What to study to work in a real estate agency?

Working in a real estate agency is one of the most promising career paths today. The recovery of the real estate market is a reality at this time.

Additionally, there is an increasing number of buyers, sellers, and tenants who require the services of an experienced professional for the sale or purchase of a property.

In this article, we will explain what studies are needed to become a real estate agent in Spain, what it is like to work in a real estate agency, as well as salary and benefits.


What to study to work in a real estate agency?

Nowadays, no specific qualification is required to become a real estate agent in Spain.

It is also not necessary to be registered with any professional association or pass any exams. Although ideally, it would be beneficial to have a university degree or training related to the real estate field.

However, there is still the possibility of registering with the Official College of Real Estate Agents (Agentes de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, API in Spanish), which will undoubtedly facilitate your entry into any agency.


What do I need to register with the Official College of Real Estate Agents (API)?

In this case, it is necessary to hold any type of university degree and pass the exam convened each year by the Ministry.

Therefore, you should be clear about what you want to do in order to know what qualification you need in the real estate field.


Advantages of registering with the Official College of Real Estate Agents (API)


Having this qualification offers a series of benefits that should not be overlooked:


Recognition

This qualification will give you greater consideration when working in an agency.


Advisory role

Additionally, it enhances the real estate agent's ability to advise clients on legal, technical, and tax matters.

Judicial appraisals

It should not be overlooked that being registered also provides access to opportunities for conducting judicial appraisals, which can generate substantial extra income.

Providing training

A qualified professional in the real estate sector - with experience - can also offer training courses to individuals interested in expanding their knowledge in this field.

Staying updated

Don’t forget the opportunity to access all kinds of circulars and specialized publications in the real estate field, including new regulatory and legislative developments received by registered members.


Liability insurance

Last but not least, it is important to note that all registered members have liability insurance that protects them while performing their duties as real estate agents.

Do I need to register with the Real Estate Agents Registry (API)?

In certain autonomous communities, such as Catalonia, it is mandatory to be registered in the Real Estate Agents Registry of Catalonia (Aicat) in order to become a real estate agent in the region.

Therefore, it is advisable to know the specific legislation of the autonomous community in which you will carry out your professional work.


In addition to a qualification or course as a real estate agent that facilitates entry into the sector, it is beneficial to possess a series of skills:


Negotiation

It is important to know how to be the negotiator for both parties in a transaction, as you will need to communicate with both the seller and the buyer, trying to ensure that both benefit equally.

Financial and banking knowledge

Potential buyers will ask you about financial terms that they are unfamiliar with, and it is your job to master them in order to advise and inform them.


Empathetic and friendly attitude

One essential skill is the ability to listen to and understand your clients. This is the only way to achieve favorable results.

Real estate legislation

Knowing the laws related to housing is your duty to comply with them and inform your clients.

Communication skills

You must be able to convey the most complex information in the clearest and simplest way possible, as clients typically know little about legislation or terms in the real estate sector.

Real estate marketing

You will need to stay up to date with new technologies and the behavior of potential buyers: knowing whether they search on real estate websites or social media, and what they are looking for in order to know how to attract them.

What is it like to work in a real estate agency?

Working in a real estate agency is dynamic, fun, engaging, and, above all, multifunctional. Except in the case of large real estate companies, which have specialized staff for each task, the work in an agency is usually very varied.


Duties of a real estate agent

In fact, among the daily tasks that real estate agents handle, the following can be mentioned:

Property acquisition

To a large extent, the viability of an agency will depend on the stock of properties available for sale or rent.

Advertising properties

Once there is a good stock of properties, it is essential for the real estate agent to advertise them properly so that potential clients are aware of the offers.

In this aspect, you will need to prepare the property for visits (home staging), take photographs, videos, and upload them to the specific real estate portal.

Client interaction

As a real estate agent, you will need to show properties to potential clients, provide information, address objections, or negotiate prices.

Administrative tasks

Do not forget the administrative procedures involved in this job. These range from obtaining an energy efficiency certificate for a property to scheduling an appointment at the notary for the signing of a sale and preparing documents, among other tasks.

Why work in a real estate agency?

There are many compelling reasons that make working in an agency one of the best professional activities currently available:

High income

The activity can be frantic depending on the stock of properties available, leading to a huge volume of profits.

Work with great independence

Being a real estate agent is a job with a lot of flexibility and great independence, as you can plan your work as it suits you best.

Efficient and effective management

The management method of this type of business is usually very efficient and yields results at great speed. This is the case of Sonia Catalán, a mother of three, who started without experience and is now a reference of success in the sector.

Access to referral systems

The best real estate agents have access to an extensive database that connects major agencies and allows the exchange of information and properties among them.

Benefits of working in a real estate agency

Developing your work in a real estate agency brings various and numerous benefits, such as:

Continuous training

Every day you learn something new thanks to the vast field of business in which you work, involving diverse activities.

Social relationships

Daily, your social skills as a real estate agent are enhanced, increasing both the quantity and quality of personal relationships by being in direct contact with many people.

Life experience

You also gain experience that can be beneficial when purchasing your first home or even a vacation residence.

Cultural exchange

The number of people, mainly from European or Middle Eastern countries, interested in buying properties in Spain is increasing every day. Thus, you will be in contact with people from different cultures.

Quality of life

Most importantly, the quality of life is noteworthy due to the flexibility enjoyed in the real estate sector.

How much does a real estate agent earn in Spain?

Many people considering starting their professional activity as real estate agents wonder what salary they can expect for this work.

Thus, we will reveal the salary of a real estate agent, and to do so, we must be rigorous and refer to official sources. In this regard, data prepared and published by the consulting firm Macdonald & Company can be consulted, which several years ago compiled figures on the average salaries received by professionals in the real estate sector across Europe.

Based on this data, we can state that the average salary of a real estate agent in southern European countries, including Spain, is around 75,000 euros per year.

Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that this figure can increase by up to 15% if the real estate agent holds a university degree. Without a doubt, this is a unique job opportunity.

As you can see, studying to become a real estate agent in Spain and working in an agency is a professional path with great prospects.

Therefore, if you are interested in the real estate sector, we encourage you to join our team in Madrid.

There are many compelling reasons that make working in an agency one of the best professional activities currently available:

High income

The activity can be frantic depending on the stock of properties available, leading to a huge volume of profits.


Work with great independence

Being a real estate agent is a job with a lot of flexibility and great independence, as you can plan your work as it suits you best.

Efficient and effective management

The management method of this type of business is usually very efficient and yields results at great speed. This is the case of Sonia Catalán, a mother of three, who started without experience and is now a reference of success in the sector.

Access to referral systems

The best real estate agents have access to an extensive database that connects major agencies and allows the exchange of information and properties among them.

Benefits of working in a real estate agency

Developing your work in a real estate agency brings various and numerous benefits, such as:

Continuous training

Every day you learn something new thanks to the vast field of business in which you work, involving diverse activities.

Social relationships

Daily, your social skills as a real estate agent are enhanced, increasing both the quantity and quality of personal relationships by being in direct contact with many people.

Life experience

You also gain experience that can be beneficial when purchasing your first home or even a vacation residence.

Cultural exchange

The number of people, mainly from European or Middle Eastern countries, interested in buying properties in Spain is increasing every day. Thus, you will be in contact with people from different cultures.

Quality of life

Most importantly, the quality of life is noteworthy due to the flexibility enjoyed in the real estate sector.

How much does a real estate agent earn in Spain?

Many people considering starting their professional activity as real estate agents wonder what salary they can expect for this work.

Thus, we will reveal the salary of a real estate agent, and to do so, we must be rigorous and refer to official sources. In this regard, data prepared and published by the consulting firm Macdonald & Company can be consulted, which several years ago compiled figures on the average salaries received by professionals in the real estate sector across Europe.

Based on this data, we can state that the average salary of a real estate agent in southern European countries, including Spain, is around 75,000 euros per year.

Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that this figure can increase by up to 15% if the real estate agent holds a university degree. Without a doubt, this is a unique job opportunity.

As you can see, studying to become a real estate agent in Spain and working in an agency is a professional path with great prospects.

Therefore, if you are interested in the real estate sector, we encourage you to join our team in Madrid.


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