Real Estate is an exciting and challenging industry to build a career in. Buying or selling a property is a major event in a person’s life – it’s a big financial decision and often a big emotional decision. There are many roles in real estate – and in all of them you’ll need to really enjoy dealing with people and to have the commitment and patience to make the buying or selling process as stress-free as possible.

There are three major career paths in real estate:

Sales

While the financial rewards in a real estate career can be great, so can the demands on your time. Most people want to talk to you about buying or selling a home in their spare time – that is, after hours. So you need to manage your time. You need to be prepared to work some nights and weekends. You’ll also need to have completed an Agents Representative Course before you can be employed in a sales capacity in a real estate agency and be of proven good character. The Agents Representative Courses are run at many of the TAFE's around Victoria.

If you’ve got energy, enthusiasm, determination, initiative, intelligence and a dedication to providing service, then you’re well equipped to build a successful career in real estate.

Property Management

An investment property should not be regarded as simply a source of rent, but as a valuable and appreciating capital asset. As a Property Manager, you’re responsible for managing your landlords’ investment properties. You also need to look after the needs of your tenants. To do both these tasks well is very challenging as it requires balancing and meeting the needs of two types of customers – but it is possible. You’ll need organisation, tact, excellent people skills and a thorough knowledge of the applicable legislation.

Administration

There are several administration-based career paths in real estate.

Receptionist. Often known as the "Director of First Impressions", receptionists need to be expert jugglers. You'll be answering the phones as you talk to people who have just walked in off the street wanting to inspect homes, you'll be the first point of call for someone who has a problem, you'll be following up solicitors for documentation, talking to board companies about erecting boards as well as handling all the front office chores like mail, filing etc.

Sales Support. You'll be liaising with vendors (the people who are selling their properties) and buyers, ensuring that all the relevant paper work is done for every property, ensuring the files are completed, as well as being the right hand for one or many very busy, very demanding sales people. A challenging, busy but very satisfactory role.

Accounting. Part of the role of the bookkeeper or accountant in real estate is the same as it is in any industry. There are accounts to be processed and paid, there are salaries to be paid, there are financial returns to be prepared. And then there's Trust Accounting. Real Estate Agents receive large amounts of money as bonds, deposits etc and this money must be meticulously handled.

Marketing. No one is going to buy a property that they don’t know is for sale. That’s where marketing comes in. It can involve preparing window posters, boards, creating advertisements for local papers and property magazines, organising photography, placing the property details on the internet, organising letterbox drops, writing editorials. It’s a role that requires creativity and organisation.

Interested in a career with Barry Plant?

Barry Plant is an equal employment opportunity employer. If you're interested in a career please contact our Corporate Head Office