
As we embark on a new year, many of us use this time to consider if we are truly happy in our current job roles.
January is renowned for being the most popular month of the year for a career change. According to recent studies by Deloitte, two in five millennials and members of Gen Z don’t believe their mental health has been properly cared for by their employers during the pandemic – no doubt this would lead many to rethink their position.
On a broader scale, these figures reflect fundamental, changing expectations for individuals when choosing a career path. No longer is salary enough – the ‘lifestyle’ surrounding a job is now just as important.
If you have a passion for people and property and are looking to switch career, real estate could be the perfect move for you. But with so many different job roles within this sector, which is the most suitable for you?
In this article, we explore what it takes to work within real estate and some of the different avenues you can take within this industry.
What skills are required?
If you wish to work within real estate, it’s important to first ensure that you have the skills required to be successful in this industry.
To help you get started, here is a list of qualities needed:
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Good communication skills
- Property market knowledge
- Strong people skills – you must be friendly and approachable to clients
- Excellent customer service skills
- Strong organisational and admin skills
- UK driving licence to attend property viewings
What are the different roles?
There are several different job roles within real estate, each as different as the next. The area you decide to go into is entirely dependent on where your passions lie and what you feel suits you best.
Here are a few different real estate jobs you could consider:
Estate agent – An estate agent acts as the bridge between buying and selling homes. This includes property valuations, dealing with buyers and sellers on a daily basis, and having a strong knowledge of the current property market in order to value house prices with industry expertise.
Property developers – If your interests lie more within the field of construction projects and building the perfect home, developing property could be the ideal fit for you. This requires having excellent knowledge of locations, the land you wish to build on and how to renovate or build a property to a budget. As a developer, it’s important to take out the relevant real estate insurance to protect both commercial and residential projects from start to finish.
Letting agent – If you have a particular knack for dealing with people of all backgrounds, you may enjoy a career as a letting agent. This involves helping landlords to find the right tenants for their properties and, in turn, making sure every tenant's needs are met throughout their duration at the property.