Interested in Studying Business Administration?
A real estate agent acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers or tenants and landlords. Your main task is to oversee the sales or rental process, from determining the market value of the property to showing it and negotiating the terms and signing the contract. You advise your clients on the current market value, pricing and legal framework. As a real estate agent, you use your knowledge of the market to find suitable buyers or tenants for properties and also to draw attention to potential properties. You ensure that all legal and contractual requirements are met and coordinate the necessary steps, such as the handover and processing of payments. In addition to traditional real estate brokerage, you also take on tasks such as leasing, project development and facility management, depending on your specialization. Working as a real estate agent is dynamic because it depends heavily on market developments and always brings new challenges.
The recommendation rate of our degree programs is based on Studycheck ratings.
★★★★☆ 96% recommendation
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
★★★★★ 100% recommend
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
3-5 years (Bachelor in Business Administration/Training as a real estate agent)
€30,000–€120,000 annually, depending on experience, company size and location
Opportunities for advancement to senior broker, project manager, team leader or in project development
A successful real estate agent needs a variety of professional and personal skills to work successfully in the industry. The most important professional skills include in-depth knowledge of property valuation, market analysis and the legal aspects of sales and rental law. Not only should you be able to determine the current market value of a property quickly and accurately, but you should also understand the legal framework in order to provide your customers with legally sound support in drafting contracts.
A real estate agent must also be familiar with the market's current trends. This includes the ability to monitor developments in real estate prices, sustainability and technology and to provide your customers with this information. It is crucial not only to consider the financial aspects, but also to have an in-depth knowledge of the location and infrastructure developments in the areas concerned. A good understanding of the various financing options and market conditions helps to provide potential buyers or tenants with customized offers.
In addition to professional skills, interpersonal skills are also very important. As a real estate agent, you should have excellent communication skills and be able to respond to your customers' needs. Negotiation skills are one of the most important qualities of a real estate agent, as you have to negotiate the best deal between the parties. Customers should be able to trust that you, as an agent, will adequately represent their interests.
In addition, organizational skills and self-motivation are required. A real estate agent juggles many tasks on a daily basis, from viewings to coordinating contracts and processing payments, which is why the ability to work efficiently and independently is essential. Flexibility is also important, as the working day is often characterized by changing appointments and spontaneous viewings.
Interested in Studying Business Administration?
As a real estate agent, you play a central role in the process of buying, selling or renting real estate. Your work begins with the market evaluation of the properties. You analyze various factors such as location, the condition of the property and current market trends to determine the optimal price. This is crucial to manage your customers' expectations and develop a realistic asking price.
You then take care of creating exposés. These not only include pictures of the property, but also detailed descriptions, legal information and an overview of the surrounding infrastructure. Your job is to present a property in a way that piques the interest of buyers or tenants. This includes marketing it through a variety of channels, from real estate portals to social media and traditional advertising methods.
A key part of your job is viewings. Here you will answer any questions prospective buyers may have about the property, the location and potential renovations. You will ensure that each viewing is conducted professionally and that the property is presented in the best light. You also take on the role of negotiator. You moderate discussions between buyers and sellers or tenants and landlords and strive to reach a satisfactory agreement for both sides.
After the sale or lease has been concluded, you take care of the contract preparation and ensure that all legal steps run smoothly. This includes reviewing purchase contracts and rental agreements, as well as coordinating the handover and handling all payment processes.
The work of a real estate agent is extremely varied and involves many different tasks that can change on a daily basis. The first step is to determine the market value of a property. You analyze comparable prices, take into account the location and condition of the property, as well as future developments in the area. Based on this information, you prepare a precise price recommendation for the property that meets both market conditions and your customers' wishes.
After that, you take care of the marketing of the property. You create a compelling exposé that includes not only pictures of the property but also all relevant data and documents. This includes legal information such as blueprints, land registry excerpts and a detailed description of the surrounding area. To successfully present the property, you use traditional media as well as digital platforms and social networks to reach a broad target group.
Another key part of your job is conducting viewings. Here, you show potential buyers or renters around the property, answer their questions and give a comprehensive overview of all the property's features and special characteristics. You address concerns or questions in a targeted manner and try to attract the right prospects.
Conducting negotiations is one of your most important tasks. You mediate between the parties, striving for the best price for your clients and ensuring a fair deal for all parties involved. Once a buyer or tenant has been found, you take care of preparing the contract and handling the formalities. This includes drawing up the purchase contracts, rental agreements and all the documentation needed to ensure the legal security of the transaction.
Interested in Studying Business Administration?
Entry into the profession of real estate agent usually takes place through a qualified training program. A classic apprenticeship as a real estate agent or a comparable apprenticeship in the field of real estate management is a common foundation that takes about three years. During this training, you will learn the basics of real estate valuation, law, contract management and financing. It is particularly suitable for those who want to work in a traditional brokerage role.
Alternatively, you can also enter the real estate industry with a bachelor's degree in business administration, real estate management, international business or a similar course of study in the real estate industry. These degrees provide a sound understanding of economics and market analysis, which is crucial for working as a real estate agent. In particular, a bachelor's degree in international business is beneficial if you want to work with international investors or operate in global markets. The program prepares you to cultivate cross-border business relationships and navigate the international working world.
In addition to the training or bachelor's degree, many countries require you to pass a professional examination to work as a real estate agent. A driver's license can also be an advantage, as real estate agents regularly conduct on-site visits.
Education:
Work experience:
Further training:
The salary expectations for real estate agents depend heavily on various factors such as work experience, commission model, market region and specialization. At the beginning of their careers, junior brokers usually earn between €30,000 and €50,000 annually. This amount consists of a fixed base salary and commission payments. The commission percentage is crucial because commissions make up a large portion of the income. In particular, in cities with high demand for real estate and for larger properties, the commission share can be significantly higher, which increases the total income.
With increasing experience and a growing network, experienced real estate agents can expect an income of €60,000 to €80,000 annually. At this stage, specialization, such as dealing with luxury real estate or commercial properties, also plays an important role, as these segments tend to offer higher commission rates. Successful agents who regularly sell or rent high-value properties can significantly increase their income through commissions and bonuses. In the high-priced real estate sector in particular, commissions of several thousand euros per transaction are common, which can significantly increase an agent's annual salary.
For senior brokers and real estate executives, such as heads of sales or project managers, salaries range from €120,000 to €150,000 per year. These positions often include not only a base salary but also bonus payments tied to the sales of the team or department. Agents in such management positions also have the opportunity to influence their commission rates and benefit from a share of the company's overall profits.
In large, international real estate companies or with project developers, annual incomes of over €150,000 are not uncommon. Here, the salary is often supplemented by significant commissions for the sale or rental of high-value properties or large project developments.
Interested in Studying Business Administration?
The career prospects for real estate agents are very positive due to the growing real estate market and the constant demand for qualified specialists in this field. Particularly in urban areas and emerging market regions, the demand for real estate agents is high because more and more people and companies are looking for suitable properties. Interest in commercial and luxury real estate is also growing, offering additional career opportunities for specialized brokers.
The increasing importance of digital marketing and real estate platforms is opening up new sources of income and job opportunities for brokers. As more and more real estate transactions are being conducted online, it is important for brokers to familiarize themselves with modern marketing techniques. This particularly applies to the use of social media and online marketplaces to reach a broad range of buyers.
Furthermore, there is an increasing demand for professional advice in areas such as project development, value enhancement and sustainability. Particularly in cities with growing markets, real estate agents have the opportunity to establish themselves as experts in niche markets and thus stand out from the competition.
As experience grows and a network is established, more and more career opportunities open up. This includes advancement to senior broker, office manager or self-employment as a real estate entrepreneur to run your own office.
The career opportunities for real estate agents are wide-ranging and offer numerous development prospects. At the beginning, many real estate agents work as junior agents or in assistant positions. These entry-level positions allow you to learn the basics of market observation, contract execution and customer care, and to create a solid foundation in the real estate industry. As you gain experience, you can take on increasingly demanding tasks, such as coordinating larger projects, advising on luxury real estate and processing commercial properties.
After a few years of professional experience, you can become a senior real estate agent or team leader. In these positions, you will not only be responsible for your own sales projects, but also for acquiring new customers and managing employees. As a senior agent, you will become an important point of contact for larger investors or companies and will handle high-priced transactions.
For particularly successful brokers, opportunities also arise to enter the field of project development or facility management. These career moves not only offer new challenges, but also the opportunity to further develop your expertise and tap into additional sources of income.
One of the most well-known and lucrative career options is becoming self-employed. Many agents decide to start their own real estate agency. This decision offers the opportunity to set your own commission rates, shape the company structure according to your own ideas and build a team of experts. As a self-employed real estate agent, you can align your career with your own goals and benefit from a strong market position.
Note on readability and salary information: To improve readability, we use the generic masculine in this article. This decision is merely a linguistic simplification. Of course, all personal designations in this text are to be understood as gender-neutral and apply equally to all genders. The salary ranges given refer to Germany.
Did you find this article helpful? Do you have any suggestions or questions about this article? Did you notice anything, or is there a topic you would like to know more about? Your feedback is important to us! It enables us to constantly improve our service and deliver exactly the content that interests you.
