Estate agent or auctioneer - requirements

As an estate agent or property auctioneer, you’ll be involved in the valuation, sale and rental of properties, working with solicitors, homeowners, buyers and other professionals. Read on to learn more about estate agents and auctioneers, what it involves and what you’ll need to study to get a role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be an estate agent or auctioneer?

An undergraduate degree isn’t always needed to begin a career as an estate agent or auctioneer but it’s recommended as the field is competitive. Subject areas to consider include:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be an estate agent or auctioneer?

Most employers don’t ask for postgraduate qualifications for estate agent and auctioneer roles but having one can definitely increase your chances of working in more senior positions.

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include MAs in:

  • Surveying
  • Real estate
  • Built environment
  • Business administration

What skills do you need to be an estate agent or auctioneer?

You need strong negotiation and interpersonal skills as your role involves working with lots of different people on a daily basis.

Hard skills usually include:
  • Finance
  • Surveying
  • Mortgages
  • Sales
  • Business
Soft skills include:
  • Customer service
  • Communication
  • Self-motivation
  • Marketing
  • Enthusiasm

Do you need work experience to be an estate agent or auctioneer?

It’s quite common to find trainee negotiator roles without any previous experience. You could also get some work experience at an estate agency or auction house working in an administration or customer service role. Plus, relevant degrees may include a placement as part of the course which is excellent experience.

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