How To Become a Real Estate Agent!

“Consider a Career in Real Estate? This is what you need, and have to do!”

The information below is to serve as a guideline to any person who wish to become a Real Estate Agent or Principal Agent for the first time.

Minimum requirements to become an Estate Agent:

Matric or equivalent Qualification with Mathematics, English, and one of the other 10 Official Languages in South Africa.

 Other requirements may include but are not limited to:

1. Cell phone;
2.  Suitable and Reliable Transport – for your own use and driving your clients, with a Valid Drivers License;
3. Laptop Computer / Notebook / iPad or similar Technology with Internet Connection and Knowledge on How to Use it for Real Estate purposes;
4. Must be willing and able to also work After Office Hours and on Weekends;
5. Must be willing and able to Support Yourself Financially until such time when you are earning from your activities as an “Estate Agent”.

The process to become an Estate Agent:

1. Select and join an Estate Agency – preferably one that operates in the same area that you stay – which is registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) ofSouth Africa;
2. Register yourself under the name of your Estate Agency as an “Intern Estate Agent” with the EAAB. The following documents must be submitted to the EAAB in order to be registered as an Intern Estate Agent:
1. A fully completed and signed application form with disclosure on the following questions:
1. Have you at anytime been dismissed from a position of trust by reason of improper conduct?
2. Have you at anytime been convicted of any offence involving an element of dishonesty?
3. Are you an insolvent who has not yet been rehabilitated?
4. Has the Board ever withdrawn a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued to you in terms of the Act?
2. Copy of your Identity Document;
3. Letter of employment from your Agency confirming employment and signed by the Principal;
4. Proof of payment of R529.80.
3. You may only start working as an Intern Estate Agent once you received your Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) as an Intern Estate Agent from the EAAB. It may take a few weeks until your FFC is issued and it is advised for you to spend your time wisely until such time. Setting yourself up for success is important and I recommend all new comers to attend the “SURVIVOR REAL ESTATE” Training Course during this time. This Training Course offers you your best start to a successful career in Real Estate. “SURVIVOR REAL ESTATE” Training Courses are offered every month in the Western Cape, and during selected months in the other regions. For more information visit www.bestrealestatetraining.co.za
4. Once you received your Intern Estate Agent Fidelity Fund Certificate from the Estate Agency Affairs Board, you may commence with your activities as an Intern Estate Agent. You are now also obliged to adhere to all relevant Acts applicable to the Real Estate Industry, together with the EAAB’s Code of Conduct. From this date you will have to serve a compulsory one-year Internship period working under the active supervision and control of a Principal Estate Agent, or of a Full Status (Non-Principal) Estate Agent who must have at least three years practical experience. A mentor-protégé relationship will thus be created between yourself and your mentor.

It should be noted that as from 15 July 2008, a one year Internship period, for the purpose of obtaining practical training as an Estate Agent, is obligatory for every newcomer to the Estate Agency Profession no matter what qualifications that newcomer may hold.

The Intern Estate Agent must keep a Logbook (also referred to as a ‘Portfolio of Evidence’) reflecting the various Estate Agency functions, and activities that have been undertaken and performed during the course of the Internship period. It is expected that after serving as an Intern Estate Agent for a continuous period of 12 months, the newcomer will attain the same degree of knowledge, skills, and practical ability, as Estate Agents who have already been active in the profession for quite some time.

5. For an Intern Estate Agent to qualify as a Full Status (Non-Principal) Estate Agent, the following requirements need to be met:The Intern Estate Agent is also required to complete the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate; on the National Qualification Framework: Level 4; with South African Qualifications Authority ID Number: 59097 – A qualification that is intended to enhance the provision of entry-level service within the Real Estate Profession, and to provide the broad knowledge, skills, and values, needed in the Real Estate environment. The Intern Estate Agent may be certified against this qualification after undergoing training through an Accredited Education Provider, OR by way of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route from an Accredited RPL Centre.

Having completed the Internship period and having attained the FETC: Real Estate; NQF: Level 4; SAQA ID No: 59097 (or an Acceptable Equivalent Qualification), you can proceed to undertake the Professional Designation Examination with the Estate Agency Affairs Board to obtain Professional Recognition as a Full Status (Non-Principal) Estate Agent.

6. Once all of the above have been completed successfully, application can be made to the EAAB for the issue of   your Full Status (Non-Principal) Estate Agent Fidelity Fund Certificate.

The process to become a Principal Estate Agent

(ONLY after completion of the process to become an Estate Agent above)

1. While waiting for your Full Status (Non-Principal) Estate Agent Fidelity Fund Certificate to be issued by the EAAB – this may take a few weeks, I recommend you to attend “THE ‘HANDS-ON’ MANAGER” Training Course for New Principals. “THE ‘HANDS-ON’ MANAGER” Training Courses are offered every month in the Western Cape, and during selected months in the other regions. For more information visit www.bestrealestatetraining.co.za This Training Course not just prepares you in becoming a ‘HANDS-ON MANAGER’ in Real Estate, it also provides you with valuable information to assist you with your next compulsory qualification as a Principal Estate Agent.
2. You need to attain the National Certificate: Real Estate; on the National Qualification Framework: Level 5; with South African Qualifications Authority ID Number: 21088. This qualification not only adds value to the understanding of the Real Estate Sector by Principal Estate Agency Practitioners, but also enhances their appreciation of the practical functionalities occurring within the workplace. The qualification is also intended to build on the skills that have been gained in the previous qualification, and will essentially consolidate the broad knowledge, skills, and values, required in the Real Estate Profession. You can be certified against this  qualification after undergoing training through an Accredited Education Provider, OR by way of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route from an Accredited RPL Centre.
3. The completion of the NC: Real Estate; NQF: Level 5; SAQA ID No: 21088 qualification (or an Acceptable Equivalent Qualification) constitutes a precondition for admission by the Professional Estate Agent to the Professional Designation Examination (PDE) for Principals with the EAAB. This second PDE is the final test of the Estate Agent’s ability to implement and apply the learning that has been achieved, and successful candidates will also be awarded another Certificate of Professional Recognition on this level by the EAAB.
4. Once all of the above have been completed successfully, application can be made to the EAAB for the issue of your Principal Estate Agent Fidelity Fund Certificate.

For more information contact Gerhard van Rensburg.

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