6 Different Career Pathways in Australia’s Real Estate Sector

WORDS: Ocean Road Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

“First call, second call, third and final call — going, going, SOLD!” Another Saturday, another auction. But there’s more to these selling environments than just the booming voice of the auctioneer. 

In reality, the real estate sector is actually surprisingly diverse, being primarily fuelled by not only sales-savvy professionals, but also expert data analysts, financial service providers, and passionate customer service staff.

From those who help sell your home and buy your next one to the person who markets all the houses in the lead-up to those weekend auction days, here is a brief guide exploring six different career paths you may choose to pursue in real estate. 

1. Property Developers

The auctioneer may be the showman, but the property developer is the one who works on the front line, doing all the planning. This pathway sees itself collaborating with many partners, like urban planners, builders, and strategists, making connections between a variety of people and fields. If you like order, design, and communications, then a property developer role might be the right fit for you. 

Property development is also a relatively accessible career pathway. Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice is a great entry point, as well as bachelor’s qualifications in business or property/real estate. And for those looking to upskill, you can always pursue a Master of Property Development to broaden your career advancement opportunities (i.e. go up for managerial roles). 

2. Property Managers

If the auctioneer is the showman and the real estate agent is a dealmaker, then property managers are more like your front-of-house staff. With a strong background in customer service and a detailed understanding of local rental and tenancy laws, property managers are tasked with maintaining property investments on behalf of residential and commercial landlords.

As such, property managers can expect to work with both renters and investors every day, namely to make sure that both parties are getting what they require out of their rental agreement. As property managers are also responsible for addressing maintenance concerns surrounding rental properties, these professionals must also liaise with body corps, tradespeople, and other relevant contacts.

You’ll find that communication skills are paramount in this role, as well as empathy, patience, and the ability to maintain perspective in conflicts and complicated issues. So if you love order and goal-setting but also juggling interpersonal relationships and making your own meaningful contributions to problem-solving dilemmas, then you could enjoy being a property manager.

3. Buyer’s Advocates & Agents

Buyer’s agents (or buyer’s advocates) are in your corner when making decisions on a property transaction. You’ll often find them considering the overall value of a property to determine whether or not a property is suitable for a buyer. This typically involves conducting local market research, doing background work on the property’s history (i.e. past sales), and engaging with the unique lifestyle and investment needs of their clients. 

Buyer’s agents also deal with negotiations between the seller on the client’s behalf in the lead up to a transaction. While good communication skills are transferable across many areas of the real estate sector, buyer’s advocates and agents require them to stay invested in a buyer’s evolving needs. 

Much like property development, buyer’s agents don’t necessarily need any specialised qualifications outside of foundational qualifications in business or real estate, but as these professionals do work with data analytics, even some short courses in analytics processes can be a great advantage in this role. 

4. Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents are the sales specialists in the real estate sector. Tasked with setting up listings and working with sellers, these professionals work to ensure all of their listed properties sell within or surpassing an agreed upon value range, supporting sellers in attaining a good ROI on their property investments, and maintaining profitability for their estate agencies as well.

Real estate agents are also incentivised by commission structures, which makes this particular role a great fit for anybody with a passion for retail sales. Yes, selling houses can be a little different to selling graphic tees or even a high-performance laptop – but, this role boils down to knowing your buyer and speaking to them with sincerity.

In most states, you can qualify for an estate agent’s license by completing a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice, however further qualifications can also support career progression for estate agents (i.e. agency director roles).

5. Auctioneers

The auctioneer, the big act, is the person who runs the sale on the day of the auction, helping the seller get the best price. Auctioneers are there to encourage bids while also promoting the listing’s features on the day. 

They are, essentially, a salesman and a crowd pleaser all rolled into one. Auctioneers need to be able to drum up excitement for a property while also commanding respect and order in the moment.

If you’re confident in the art of persuasion, know how to highlight the best out of something, and have plenty of showmanship, then you may have all the makings of an auctioneer. Again, a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice provides a strong foundation here, plus any state-recognised auctioneer accreditation course.

6. Mortgage Brokers

A mortgage broker deals with communications between banks and other financial institutions to set up and implement a home loan. These unique service providers are usually licensed financial specialists who serve as an advisor to the buyer’s financial well-being when assessing for a loan. 

While qualifications in finance and particularly mortgage brokerage are a prerequisite, the transferable skills that this role uses include problem-solving, negotiation, being able to empathise with people, as well as analytical and numerical skills. So if you like projects and handling finances, then being a mortgage broker may be a great fit.

There’s A Role for Anyone in Australia’s Real Estate Sector

Whether you like to be in front of the crowd or part of the behind-the-scenes crew, there’s a role for you in the world of Australian real estate. It can take a village to sell a property, and no two teams are the same. 

From selling apartments along the Gold Coast to flipping heritage homes in Victoria, there’s no shortage of characters working in real estate today. There’s a role for you, too, based on where your skills and arguably more importantly, where your passions lie.