Career as an estate agent - London - Anyone do this?

SideWinder · 22 Jan 2018 at 19:52

"Anyone do this?" sounds odd but meh it's Monday and we're all tired.

So actually i wrote a thread asking the same thing 8 years ago...but since then i have now established myself for an international fashion website.

Anyways, i had popped into an estate agents to basically ask if the current flat i am renting is a good deal or not...could i find somewhere else basically which was better.

Long story short, we got chatting and they asked me to drop in a CV as i asked them what is was like.

They said long hours but salary would go a lot higher than my current (32k)...

Love to hear your experiences - specifically London based ones.

Oh i can't drive...better start learning i guess? Well, scooter actually.

Cheers.

Ahleckz · 22 Jan 2018 at 19:54

I've thought about this - heck, I used to be a car salesman so it seems the natural progression - as when I bought my flat they were all absolutely awful. I'm sure I could do a much better job. It's simple customer service and organisation in my eyes.
Will follow with interest.

Caged · 22 Jan 2018 at 19:57

dowie · 22 Jan 2018 at 22:00

Seems like a big risk if you're not moving from another sales role - have you ever done any sales work before?

Ayahuasca · 23 Jan 2018 at 10:29

Can make very good money from it if you can sell but that’s the same for most commission based roles.

There’s a guy I know in the North East who’s on around 60k a year in his mid 20’s, he’s got the gift of the gab though and has the looks to go with it.

Basher · 24 Jan 2018 at 13:13

Ayahuasca said:
Can make very good money from it if you can sell but that’s the same for most commission based roles.

There’s a guy I know in the North East who’s on around 60k a year in his mid 20’s, he’s got the gift of the gab though and has the looks to go with it.

The thing is, if you're really gifted at sales, this job probably doesn't offer the best bang for buck. There are MUCH higher paying sales roles, even for someone in their mid twenties.

Ayahuasca · 24 Jan 2018 at 13:19

Basher said:
The thing is, if you're really gifted at sales, this job probably doesn't offer the best bang for buck. There are MUCH higher paying sales roles, even for someone in their mid twenties.

Yeah, I sort of mentioned that in the post you quoted, he could likely move on and earn more but he seems to be more than comfortable at the moment so I'm not sure the urge is there.

Skillmister · 24 Jan 2018 at 13:27

High commission estate agency is dying. I've worked alongside them for the last 4.5 years, know a couple personally and work with a couple of ex estate agents. In that time the average commission for high street agents has gone from ~2% to <1% and I don't see how they can still get away with charging that to be honest. Online agents are becoming prevalent even in my rural area, let alone the cities. My dad's just sold with doorsteps.co.uk for £200. Purplebricks/YOPA etc are becoming so popular but their fees have increased over the last couple of years.

I think average fees are going to settle around £1,000 regardless of property value.

booyaka · 25 Jan 2018 at 10:13

I tend to agree with above - I think Estate Agents will be getting squeezed more and more - My Dad who is "proper" old school recently sold their house. He spoke to 4 estate agents who were all looking for around 1.2%-1.5% fee. I suggested he used and online estate agent.....he was not impressed with that idea. However in the end he went with Purplebricks - think it was around £500 fee in the end on a £250k property instead of £3-4k with normal estate agent. He's proper old school and would normally never have done that but said it was painless/very simple and just as many viewers etc.

Skillmister · 25 Jan 2018 at 11:22

booyaka said:
I tend to agree with above - I think Estate Agents will be getting squeezed more and more - My Dad who is "proper" old school recently sold their house. He spoke to 4 estate agents who were all looking for around 1.2%-1.5% fee. I suggested he used and online estate agent.....he was not impressed with that idea. However in the end he went with Purplebricks - think it was around £500 fee in the end on a £250k property instead of £3-4k with normal estate agent. He's proper old school and would normally never have done that but said it was painless/very simple and just as many viewers etc.

My dad is the same, he thought there was no way it would work but seeing as he wasn't in a rush I convinced him to give them a go - photos were taken the day after instructing them, it was on the market the day after and the first viewers that coming weekend agreed 1% under asking price.

Basher · 25 Jan 2018 at 12:55

booyaka said:
I tend to agree with above - I think Estate Agents will be getting squeezed more and more - My Dad who is "proper" old school recently sold their house. He spoke to 4 estate agents who were all looking for around 1.2%-1.5% fee. I suggested he used and online estate agent.....he was not impressed with that idea. However in the end he went with Purplebricks - think it was around £500 fee in the end on a £250k property instead of £3-4k with normal estate agent. He's proper old school and would normally never have done that but said it was painless/very simple and just as many viewers etc.

We used PB when we sold last year. I really can't understand why you'd use a high street agent. Their tactics are all the same; say the house is worth more than it is to get you excited/get the business, slowly reduce the price, take x% commission for doing next to nothing.

SideWinder · 28 Jan 2018 at 13:02

Cool - appreciate the replies.

Not reeeeeeeeally done sales so maybe i should stay put...

Ahleckz · 31 Jan 2018 at 21:02

Basher said:
The thing is, if you're really gifted at sales, this job probably doesn't offer the best bang for buck. There are MUCH higher paying sales roles, even for someone in their mid twenties.

I tried finding something else in sales that would pay me similar to car sales without a relevant qualification (my law degree is completely unnecessary but also not beneficial) but couldn't find a thing so ended up taking a paycut but a better job and stayed in the automotive industry. What are you suggesting?

Ayahuasca · 31 Jan 2018 at 21:31

Software sales?

Basher · 1 Feb 2018 at 03:22

Ahleckz said:
I tried finding something else in sales that would pay me similar to car sales without a relevant qualification (my law degree is completely unnecessary but also not beneficial) but couldn't find a thing so ended up taking a paycut but a better job and stayed in the automotive industry. What are you suggesting?

Software sales.

kitkat9933 · 1 Feb 2018 at 11:11

Software sales. Our fresh grads are on £30k base with £60k OTE easily obtainable. No real qualifications needed.

Within a few years in software sales, easily £75k base and £250k OTE obtainable.

Ahleckz · 1 Feb 2018 at 13:05

Must admit I've never really looked at that!

A brief look last night on a job site or two didn't show much up here in Glasgow, but are there any companies that are suggested to look for?