Becoming a real estate agent: what you need to know

If you are wondering what you need to know to become a real estate agent, you probably also want to know what a real estate agent does, how to become a licensed professional (by obtaining what is commonly referred to as a license), and how much you can earn. Let's clarify one point right away: this is a job that can be extremely rewarding, both financially and personally. In this article, we have also summarized the personal characteristics of a real estate agent. At the end, we will also tell you who the Toscano agent is and what characteristics you need to pass an interview and start our training program.

Let's get started!

1. What does a real estate agent do?

Before we figure out how to become agents together, there is one thing you need to know: what exactly does a real estate agent do?

Real estate agents are highly versatile freelancers who can work independently or for a real estate agency. For many people, this is the ideal job for starting their own business or working for a real estate agency.

Real estate agents deal with real estate. More specifically, they deal with the sale or rental of homes, industrial buildings, offices, shops, land, and all types of real estate. Their main task is to find potential buyers for those selling a property. It is a highly valued job because it involves a dynamic daily routine with activities to be carried out alone, with clients, and with your team (if you work in a group).

Among the other tasks of a real estate agent are a series of activities that are fundamental to the success of their career or business. Let's take a look at some of them.

1.1 Property search and acquisition appointments

Every real estate agent's initial and ongoing task is to search for properties to sell. This sets in motion a series of initial contact activities with clients who want to sell. Once the assignment has been obtained, the real estate agent can take care of promoting their property. We are talking about marketing and networking activities, which we also teach in our training program. In fact, at Toscano, every new recruit who passes the selection process begins a comprehensive training program at one of our agencies.

1.2 Selling properties and sales appointments

At this stage, the real estate agent is responsible for the comprehensive promotion of the newly acquired property. They contact clients who may be interested and arrange viewing appointments to show the property. They receive offers from potential buyers and report them to the seller with the aim of defining and finalizing the sale.

1.3 Updates and training on bureaucratic and contractual matters

A real estate agent needs constant training to keep up with urban planning and cadastral laws and the mental aspects of managing this job in the best possible way. To meet this need for updating, we have created a training school dedicated to all Toscano real estate agents. Its name is Golden Domus Academy, and it prepares all real estate agents for the practical and mental aspects of this job. The ultimate goal: to win the Golden Domus Toscano.

2. How do you become a licensed real estate agent?

The job of real estate agent requires a license to be performed. In fact, to become an agent, it is mandatory to attend a course that allows you to obtain the license of Business Broker, issued by the Chamber of Commerce. What was once a license also allows you to open a real estate agency.

With Law 39/89 of 1989, and in particular with the amendments made to it in 2001, the licensing system provides for new regulations. Real estate agents must meet two fundamental requirements: moral and professional.

2.1 Moral requirements for licensing This requirement is met by demonstrating that the agent has not been disqualified, declared incompetent, declared bankrupt, or convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years. In addition, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have not been subject to anti-Mafia regulations and that you are not subject to additional administrative sanctions (indicated in Article 5 of Law 507/1999).

2.2 Professional requirements for licensing The professional requirements are as follows: from the date of notification of the negative outcome of the previous exam.

• A training course lasting approximately 220 hours, at the end of which a test will be taken to certify attendance. The course is organized by bodies accredited by the regions or provinces, depending on the geographical area of origin, or by authorized bodies.
• The subjects studied are legal, fiscal, cadastral, and urban planning, as well as other knowledge necessary in the real estate world.
• To enroll in the course, you must be of legal age and have any secondary school diploma.
• Non-EU citizens must have a valid residence permit and be residents of the province of the Chamber where the exam application is submitted.
• The cost of the exam consists of a €16 stamp duty and an exam fee that may vary depending on the Chamber of Commerce (e.g., €77 in Rome and Milan).
• If you fail the exam, you cannot reapply for six months from the date of notification of the previous exam result.

3. What characteristics must a real estate agent have?

We have talked about the qualifications required to become a real estate agent and what a real estate agent actually does. Now it's time to talk about the characteristics that a good real estate agent must have in order to perform their duties in contact with the public and in the office to the best of their ability. We want to tell you what it really means to be a real estate agent. We want to help you understand if this job is right for you from a personal point of view, so that you can understand which personal aspects to focus on.

The characteristics we will discuss are those we have identified in 40 years of experience in the field and are the same ones we look for in those who apply on the Work with us page of the Toscano.it portal.

3.1 Here are the soft skills of a real estate agent First of all, a good real estate agent must have good interpersonal skills. Knowing how to be around people, knowing how to talk and knowing how to present yourself are important qualities for showing your professionalism to clients and conveying it to your team. This is a job that requires humility and curiosity to learn a trade that is made up of meetings, people, and handshakes. While you are recognized as a real estate agent with your license, it is through field work that you truly learn this trade. That's why we assign experienced mentors to new recruits to guide them through their first few weeks.

This job requires a lot of determination, which translates into dedication to work and the ability to accept failure and turn it into experience. As we said at the beginning, being a real estate agent is the perfect job for starting your own business. For this reason, it is a job that requires a lot of proactivity, resourcefulness, ambition, and determination.

Being a real estate agent means putting yourself out there, wanting to build a career, and making sacrifices to achieve your goals. Only then will your results be significant on an economic, personal, and professional level.

4. Who is the Toscano real estate agent?

After listing the characteristics that a real estate agent must have, we want to tell you about who the Toscano agent is. Their characteristics are the same as those we mentioned above, but they focus on some very important points, especially for those who want to apply and who will be interviewed at our agencies.

The Toscano real estate agent must have four fundamental skills: learning, interpersonal skills, collaboration, and flexibility of thought.

4.1 The four skills required to become a Toscano agent

Learning: when we talk about learning, we are referring to the ability to take independent action to acquire new knowledge. This is a fundamental skill for any real estate agent, and at Toscano we support it with our classroom and field training.

Interpersonal skills: interpersonal skills, as we have already mentioned, go beyond simply “staying in touch.” A Toscano real estate agent has the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships spontaneously. We always try to convey the importance of this skill, as it facilitates the acquisition of new properties and the identification of new clients who want to sell.

Collaboration: when we talk about collaboration, we refer to the ability to bring together moments of agreement and disagreement (which are part of everyday life at work) to achieve a clear, individual or shared goal.

Flexibility of thought: in addition to these skills, there is also flexibility of thought, i.e., the willingness to question one's own opinions, demonstrating the ability to assimilate new points of view and new stimuli in one's work.

Everything we have said allows you to be a professional real estate agent with clear goals. Having goals means setting yourself guidelines so you don't lose your way, which can sometimes be difficult to maintain in life and at work.

Contact us to join this great team. Express your value, realize your future.