Real Estate Sales Agents

Sales & Account Management

Level 4412 of 1200 points

Job description

Real Estate Sales Agents

Job purpose

To act for clients in the sale, purchase and letting of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural property, appraising properties, advising on price, market conditions and financing, and negotiating and documenting transactions through to closing, so that clients' transactions are concluded on sound terms and properly recorded.

Skills

Practical knowledge of customer service and of sales and marketing method — showing, promoting and closing — with the law governing property transactions, records systems, the arithmetic of pricing, valuation and mortgage comparison, and building construction. A high school diploma is the commonest level of education among incumbents, with a substantial minority holding a post-secondary certificate, and preparation runs to one or two years of on-the-job experience and informal training alongside experienced agents.
Interviews clients to establish what they are seeking, advises on market conditions, prices, mortgages and legal requirements, and solicits listings from owners and previous clients. Acts as intermediary in negotiations between buyer and seller, generally representing one side, presents purchase offers for consideration, and confers with escrow companies, lenders and inspectors.
Compares a property with recent comparable sales to arrive at a competitive market price, appraises properties to determine loan values, matches listings to a buyer's needs and means, and evaluates mortgage options. Contract and closing procedure is precedented, but pricing and negotiating judgements are matters of assessment made frequently on incomplete evidence, and error carries financial consequence for the client.
Runs a personal pipeline of listings, viewings and pending transactions: coordinating viewing appointments, arranging title searches, promoting properties through advertisements and open houses, and bringing closings to the date agreed. Priorities are the postholder's own, but the timetable is set by clients, lenders and contractual closing dates.
Drives between properties for much of the working day, inspecting premises before showing them and accompanying buyers on inspections, indoors and outdoors in all weather and at close quarters with clients.

Responsibilities

No line management. Coordinates the other parties a transaction depends on — escrow companies, lenders and inspectors — maintains a referral network of lawyers, mortgage lenders and contractors, and may run training sessions for sales agents.
Holds no budget and commits no organisational spend. Determines competitive market prices, appraises properties for loan value, presents offers, and oversees the signing of documents and the disbursement of funds at closing. The sums involved belong to clients rather than to the organisation and are influenced rather than held; earnings follow from transactions completed.
Responsible for property on the agency's books: inspects the condition of premises, arranges maintenance or notifies owners of the need for it, and controls access to properties being shown. Ordinary care of a vehicle used for work and of listing systems.
Prepares the transaction documents — representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds and leases — and holds client records including the financial and credit information obtained in eligibility checks. The documents are legally binding and error carries consequence; their content and structure follow standard forms and legal requirements.

Effort required

Decisions are frequent and taken under time pressure — on price, on the handling of an offer, on the negotiating position — and exactness is required in contract and closing documents, against a high volume of telephone, e-mail and face-to-face contact.
Works in a competitive market in which income depends on transactions concluded. Negotiating between buyers and sellers whose interests are opposed brings conflict situations and dealings with people who are unpleasant, angry or discourteous; composure and self-control are required, and error has consequences for the client.
Extended periods driving an enclosed vehicle between properties, with a moderate share of the time seated. No lifting or exertion is recorded.

Working conditions

Work alternates between an environmentally controlled office, indoor property space, time outdoors at properties exposed to all weather, and extended periods in an enclosed vehicle. No hazardous conditions, noise or protective equipment requirements are recorded. Psychosocial exposure comes from close proximity to clients, conflict in negotiation and dealings with angry or discourteous people.
Hours are irregular for the great majority of incumbents, following client and transaction demands rather than a set routine, and most work more than forty hours a week. Competition is a feature of the market and the work is done to time pressure. Autonomy is wide: determines own tasks, priorities and goals, and answers for the effect of decisions on colleagues and company results and for the consequences of error.

Skills

40% · 193 points▾

KnowledgeLevel 3 of 8
54 of 144 points
Knowledge of facts, principles and general ideas in a job area. The job requires a range of thinking and practical knowledge to do tasks and solve problems by choosing and using basic methods, tools, materials and information.
Interpersonal and communication skillsLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Effective communication and interpersonal relationships. The job holder is required to adapt communication to different audiences and foster trust, cooperation and positive working relationships.
Problem-solving skillsLevel 2 of 5
38 of 96 points
Standard problems. The job involves solving problems with defined alternatives. Some judgement is needed, but help is usually available.
Planning and organisational skillsLevel 2 of 5
29 of 72 points
Basic organisational skills required. The job involves planning and organising one's own work within set deadlines. Some input into scheduling and prioritisation of tasks.
Physical skillsLevel 1 of 5
14 of 72 points
Minimal physical skills required. The job requires basic physical skills, such as handling light objects or using simple tools.

Responsibility

35% · 94 points▾

PeopleLevel 0 of 5
0 of 144 points
Does not apply. The job does not require any responsibility for people.
Goods and equipmentLevel 1 of 5
17 of 84 points
Limited responsibility for goods or equipment. The job involves the care and proper use of low-value tools or materials, with minimal responsibility for their maintenance or security.
InformationLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Moderate responsibility for information. The job involves managing information to ensure it is accurate, of high quality and secure. The job holder may make decisions about the handling of sensitive data.
Financial resourcesLevel 1 of 5
19 of 96 points
Very limited responsibility for financial resources. The job involves handling small amounts of cash or processing simple transactions, such as recording expenses or maintaining basic financial records.

Effort

15% · 77 points▾

Mental effortLevel 2 of 5
24 of 60 points
Moderate mental effort. The job involves tasks that require focus, such as analysing straightforward information or performing repetitive tasks that require attention to detail.
Psychosocial and emotional effortLevel 3 of 5
43 of 72 points
Moderate psychosocial and emotional effort. The job requires the regular management of emotional responses, such as dealing with sensitive or challenging individuals or situations.
Physical effortLevel 1 of 5
10 of 48 points
Minimal physical effort. The job involves light physical tasks, such as occasional lifting or moving light objects.

Working Conditions

10% · 48 points▾

Environment (physical, psychological or emotional)Level 2 of 5
34 of 84 points
Occasional exposure to hazards or stress. The job involves occasional exposure to mild physical risks (e.g. working with light machinery, occasional noise) or psychosocial risks (e.g. occasional interpersonal conflict or minor repetitive tasks). Exposure occurs two to three times a year.
Organisational environmentLevel 2 of 5
14 of 36 points
Occasional organisational demands. The job may involve occasional irregular hours (e.g. the requirement to work weekends or holidays), minimal travel or limited digital connectivity outside normal working hours.