So You Want To Work In Real Estate?
We often look at real estate from an investor or consumer’s point of view. Which area is good to buy a home in? What is the latest project that’s launching? How do you get your security deposit back…the list is endless.
But today, we’re taking on the other side of real estate – the side that actually works in the industry. What does it take and who can do it? Do you have to be a licensed real estate agent? Or what if you just love the concept of property but don’t actually want to sell the stuff? What are the different types of degrees and courses for real estate? Not to worry, here are a few of the ways that you can immerse yourself in the world of property….and still make a living.
become a real estate agent
First things first, you need a valid residence visa, obtained through a credible real estate agency – no freelancing allowed!
After that, register for the Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers course offered by the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI) – a part of the Dubai Land Department – and pay attention! At the end of the course (a few days), you’ll have to sit for an exam. Once you’re done with that (and achieved the required minimum score), head to Dubai Police for a Good Conduct Certificate.
Once you’ve got all your paperwork in order, your company will approach RERA themselves to get your broker ID…now you can get started on your career as an agent! Although you need to keep in mind that your license will need to be renewed on a yearly basis.
Just remember that you can only work in Dubai with a RERA broker ID, as the different emirates have different real estate governing bodies.
If you’re still in high school or university and looking for the best degrees or courses for real estate to help you become a better agent – there aren’t any! Although we would advise one that involves a lot of practical experience, research and customer service to help you hone the skills you will eventually need.
Property management
Property management, much like any other management role involves operating, monitoring and generally taking care of a property. This includes doing things like screening potential tenants, arranging viewings with leasing agents, collecting rent, organising the renewal of contracts, maintenance work…basically, everything to take the hassle of managing a property away from the owner. Property management firms exist as independent entities or are a part of a larger real estate brokerage. Whichever path you choose to take, however, make sure that your company is licensed by RERA.
The actual requirements for practising as a property manager will vary between companies, with some companies asking for specific property management degrees, but several institutions in Dubai offer courses for real estate (both professional, ie, offered part-time and those offered full time) to help you along the way. This includes Heriot-Watt University’s MSc Diploma in Real Estate Management and Development and DREI’s Certified Property Management Training (CPM course).
become a Real Estate Photographer
We bet you didn’t see this one coming! You may not always sell or rent a property on photographs alone, but they go a long way in enticing the potential tenant or investor to have a second look. That’s why, as any agent worth her salt will tell you, it’s so important to take good listing photos! Now, depending on the agency or brokerage you work with, these images come from all sorts of places – the current tenant or landlord, photographs from years ago when the unit was built or the agent with his smartphone and a few minutes to spare.
However, to show a property at its best, many companies (and even landlords) are opting for professional photographers – those that specialise in taking photographs of apartments and villas. Compared to photographers who take editorial-style shots of mansions for magazines and design websites – who have the luxury of time, immaculate staging and real-life models to breathe more life into their images, photographers specialising in listings often don’t have hours to spend on a property. Nor do they usually have the option of elaborate staging, while models never feature! The job requires proficiency at adapting to different situations (did you want to shoot with the midday light? Sorry, the house is only available at 8pm) – a blend of creativity and skill.
A good place to get started would be a foundation in photography workshop at a respected institution such as Gulf Photo Plus, but as with most creative and artistic pursuits – building up your portfolio and practice is the key to getting ahead.
Branching out as an agent: Courses for real estate professionals
Even if you already are on the property career ladder, it never hurts to broaden your horizons by picking up a few extra skills along the way. The DREI offers a variety of courses for real estate that have been designed to give you a competitive edge and help you bring extra value to your clients by being an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), being trained in property valuation, negotiation and more.
Or you can always sign up for some of the fantastic training sessions offered by our very own Bayut Academy, aimed at both new and established real estate professionals looking to hone their skills. For more information or for the latest schedule, drop us a line at academy@bayut.com.
work at bayut.com
At Bayut, we are always on the lookout for talented, forward-thinking individuals who love being at the forefront of what’s cutting edge. We also live and breathe real estate, day in and day out. From our data team who tease fascinating insights from numbers that would seem nonsensical to you and me, to our talented content and graphics team who represent that data in a manner you and I are able to understand in seconds. Not to mention our tech team that is constantly innovating new products to keep Bayut number One, from our charming and dedicated sales team that travel the length and breadth of the country to the humble folk that bring you the MyBayut blog…it’s a fun and exciting way to work in the fast-paced world of real estate without actually working with property directly. To see what opportunities we currently have, visit our LinkedIn page.
Just remember, while it may seem so to you or the people around you, it’s never too late to switch gears and embark on a career in an industry you enjoy!