Ah yes, the age old question. In this hyper-competitive age where certificates and degrees are being churned out from various fields of education, one might wonder whether there is a need for it in the real estate gig as well.
People go through different phases in life. Perhaps they studied something for years only to realise they wanted to do something else in their lives. This is completely normal. Things don’t always go as planned and it’s important to explore different options when they don’t.
Which brings us to our earlier point, let’s say someone worked as an accountant for 10 years, but suddenly find themselves hungry for something different. Something new.
And let’s for say that that ‘something’ is a job in the real estate industry. Would they be able to do so?
The short answer is, yes – of course they can!
But first, there’s a few things to take note of.
Qualifications of being a Real Estate Agent (In Malaysia)
- Malaysian resident / permanent resident
- Must hold an SPM certificate with at least 5 passes and 3 of them being credits.
- Must be above 17 years of age.
- One or more of the credits must be from Science, Mathematics, Commerce or Accounting.
Know the difference between a Real Estate Agent (REA) and a Real Estate Negotiator (REN)
As we’ve previously mentioned, there is a difference between a real estate agent (REA) and a real estate negotiator (REN).
“Real Estate Negotiator (REN) individuals work alongside licensed real estate agents (REA) but do not have full qualifications and accreditation. Real estate negotiators are still accredited in their own way and must be registered with the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers (BOVAEA).”
To be employed, the must check the following requirements:
- Attend a two-day course on Real Estate and be issued a certificate of attendance.
- Seek employment with a real estate firm under ‘Contract of Service’ or ‘Contract for Service’.
To be a Real Estate Agent (REA), they must go through the following:
- Attend a two-year diploma in Estate Agency
- Two-years training under the supervision of a fully-qualified REA.
- Submit a log of their work to the BOVEA for appraisal and approval.
Not Mandatory but Useful Degrees to have in Real Estate
We understand that choosing a career path can be a painfully daunting task. Not everyone knows from a young age what their passion is. In fact, most people don’t.
That being said, if you’re a student who is currently reading this right now and have a strong desire to pursue the real estate arts, here are a few relevant degrees that could be really helpful for you to kickstart that process! Courtesy of College Consensus.
- Human Resources
Dealing and managing people is real estate’s entire shtick, so it wouldn’t be a stretch that this particular field goes on this list. A degree in human resources also emphasizes the importance of diversity and culture, which is something you will be thrust upon regularly should you become a real estate agent / negotiator.
- Psychology
Psychology takes you deep into the psyche and behavioral traits of humans. This is something really beneficial as it helps you to understand your clients better while also making you stand out as an agent/negotiator. Being able to relate to your potential buyers and sellers will make them feel more at ease with you, and hence choose you at every turn.
- Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is not just a business course, it’s also a salesman and human connection course. To be a good businessman, you need to embody all three of these qualities so that people will flock to your product or service. As a real estate agent/negotiator, your listings are your products. What determines whether or not you can show the value of that product to others is how well you exude your entrepreneurial spirit!
Ready to take the chance to pursue your career as a real estate negotiator? Join us! We provide a wealth of benefits with helpful learning materials and training! Be an IQI REN today!