SO, YOU WANT TO BECOME AN ESTATE AGENT? HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Estate agency has long been a go-to career choice for young adults looking to take their first step into the world of work, and we get it. Let’s face it, the idea of getting out of the office, meeting new people, and checking out beautiful homes all day does sound very exciting, doesn’t it?

But before you dive in headfirst, it’s important to understand what the job really involves, especially in your first year or two. As property recruitment specialists, we speak to hundreds of aspiring estate agents every year and, more and more, we find ourselves needing to help them manage their expectations.

TV shows like Selling Sunset, Buying London, and Location, Location, Location have really glamorised the industry, but while estate agency can certainly be a rewarding, fast-paced, and financially exciting career, let’s be honest, you probably won’t be closing multi-million-pound deals in Mayfair or touring Tuscan villas in your first six months on the job!

So, let’s break it down: Here is what you can really expect from your first frontline estate agency role, from pay to progression, and everything in between.

The Pay Package: Setting Realistic Expectations

Let’s start by talking money. It’s completely natural to be excited about the huge earning potential, but more and more candidates are approaching us with expectations that are, well, often unrealistic.

It’s not always their fault; many university career advisors or job forums suggest that first jobs in similar sales sectors can come with sky-high earnings. However, the reality is that estate agency pay is structured a little differently. Here’s what you can typically expect in a trainee or entry level estate agency role:

London:                                                                   Basic salary of £20–25k

Home Counties:                                                  Basic salary of £18–22k

On Target Earnings (OTE) in Year 1:                                         £28–35k

That said, we’ve seen some entry level roles with OTEs of up to £50–70k! This can all depend on the company, how much commission they offer, and their market share. But don’t expect to negotiate the basic salary, it’s usually set for all new starters in the same role to keep things fair. The money is made in the commission you can earn from the deals you do so your performance will ultimately affect how much you earn.

Traditionally, benefits in estate agency haven’t been a major selling point. However, more and more companies are starting to realise that to attract the next generation, they need to start looking at what they are offering. More forward-thinking employers are now offering:

Ongoing training and qualifications

Discount portals for gyms, restaurants & retail outlets

Healthcare and wellbeing schemes

Enhanced parental leave and insurance options

Performance-based prizes, including holidays abroad

Reduced working hours, less weekend and evening work

Holiday purchase schemes

Undoubtedly, some companies still only offer the basic benefits (e.g. statutory pension and holiday allowance), so we advise you to think about what matters most to you in a job before choosing who you would like to work for.

Working Hours: The Reality of Frontline Roles

Post-Covid, hybrid working might have become the norm in many industries, but not so in estate agency, especially if you are working in a frontline role in sales or lettings.

Why? To be successful in estate agency it is all about face-to-face contact with your customers, and your team, of course. Many estate agents are still based on the ‘high street’ in the area they operate; viewings needing to be accompanied, people walking in off the street, properties being advertised in windows, and daily team meetings taking place. Obviously, therefore this is not a role that can be managed remotely!

A typical working week is Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm with evening appointments as needed and Saturdays on a rota (often shorter hours, sometimes with time off in lieu). If flexible or remote working is your top priority, then frontline estate agency probably isn’t the right fit. But if you thrive in a busy, team driven, social environment, you’ll certainly feel right at home.

Progression: Climbing the Ladder (Quickly!)

Here’s the good news: career progression in estate agency is often fast. If you’re ambitious, motivated, and you consistently hit your targets, there’s no reason you can’t rise through the ranks quickly. If you start at entry level, this is an idea of what your career ladder can look like:

Trainee Negotiator

Negotiator (within 6–12 months)

Senior Negotiator (by year 2–3)

Valuer / Assistant Manager

Branch Manager

Director or Business Owner

Excitingly, we’ve placed numerous candidates over the years who started at trainee level and are now running their own offices, or even their own estate agency businesses.

We have an infographic that shows the progression journey within estate agency here.

Final Thoughts: Is Estate Agency Right for You?

Hopefully, this blog has helped paint a realistic picture of what to expect in your first estate agency role. Yes, salary and work life balance matter and we do everything we can to make sure our candidates are offered fair packages. But remember, some things (like pay bands, office hours, and Saturday work) are standard across the industry and can’t always be tailored for individual preferences.

That said, estate agency is still one of the most exciting, dynamic, and fast-paced industries to join. There’s huge earning potential, real career growth, and new, innovative agencies launching all the time, agencies that are actively seeking the next generation of top talent.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’d like to discuss any of the points above in more detail, our friendly and experienced team would love to hear from you. Contact us confidentially on 020 7792 9779, or email us: enquiries@propertypersonnel.co.uk and let’s talk about your future in property.