The work of a real estate agent – ​​what does it involve in practice?

The work of a real estate agent is a versatile combination of sales, customer service and marketing. The agent helps the seller of a home find a buyer and takes care of the entire sales process from the first meeting to the signing of the deed of sale. Of course, the customer relationship between the seller and the agent does not end with the sale of the home, but a good agent takes care of it even after the sale of the home.

Many people see the work of a real estate agent as only showing homes, but in reality the work includes much more: pricing, marketing, negotiations and handling legal matters.

What does a real estate agent do?

The most important task of a real estate agent is to help the seller of a home get the best possible deal safely and efficiently. A typical sales process includes several stages.

1. Appraisal of the home

The process often begins with a free appraisal visit, where the agent estimates the market value of the home.

The price is affected by, for example:

• location
• condition of the apartment
• renovations by the housing company
• realized sale prices in the area
• market situation.

Realistic pricing is one of the most important factors in a successful housing transaction.

2. Sales planning and marketing

When the sale begins, the agent plans a marketing strategy. This usually includes:

• professional photos
• writing a sales announcement
• publishing the property on housing portals
• social media marketing
• possible public and private presentations.

Well-done marketing increases interest and can significantly affect the sales price.

3. Apartment viewings

Viewings are often the moment when the buyer makes a decision. The agent's task is to:

• present the apartment
• answer buyers' questions
• tell about the housing company and the area
• collect feedback from potential buyers.

A good agent knows how to highlight the best aspects of a home without being too salesy.

4. Offers and negotiations

When a buyer makes an offer, the agent acts as a negotiator between the seller and the buyer.

The agent:

• presents the offers to the seller
• helps evaluate the terms of the offer
• negotiates the price and schedule
• ensures that the transaction proceeds safely.

At this stage, the agent's experience can significantly affect the final result.

5. Deeds and transactions

When the offer is accepted, the deed of sale is prepared and a transaction date is agreed. The real estate agent often also ensures that:

• all documents are in order
• the buyer's financing is secured
• the transaction proceeds in accordance with the law.

This allows both the buyer and the seller to make transactions safely.

What skills does a real estate agent need?

The job of a real estate agent requires several different skills.

Sales skills

A real estate agent must be able to present a property attractively and negotiate deals.

Meeting people

Since the work is strongly customer service, social skills are important for real estate agents. Real estate agents are constantly meeting new people and different life situations.

Marketing skills

Digital marketing, high-quality images and good sales copy are an important part of real estate sales today.

Legal skills

Real estate sales involve a lot of law and documents, so real estate agents must be familiar with the regulations in the field.

A real estate agent's working day in practice

Many are surprised that a real estate agent's working day is not a traditional office job.

A typical day may include, for example:

• client meetings and preparing for them
• apartment viewings
• preparing apartment brochures
• reviewing documents
• negotiating offers
• acquiring new clients.

Working hours can vary a lot, and evening and weekend work is quite common.

Real estate agent salary

A real estate agent's salary is often based on commission. This means that income depends on how many apartments the agent sells.

The salary is affected by, for example:

• sales volume
• property prices
• market conditions
• brokerage firm.

A successful agent can earn well, but income can vary, especially at the beginning of a career.

How do you become a real estate agent?

In Finland, there are many ways to become a real estate agent, but the general path is:

• applying to a brokerage firm
• completing training in the field
• completing an LKV (licensed real estate agent) qualification.

An LKV qualification shows that the agent knows the legislation and practices in the field.

Summary: what is the job of a real estate agent like?

The work of a real estate agent is an active, people-oriented and results-oriented job. It is especially suitable for someone who:

• enjoys sales work
• enjoys working with people
• is goal-oriented
• can handle varying working hours.

With the right attitude and skills, the work of a real estate agent can be both financially and professionally rewarding.

Do you dream of working as a real estate agent? See open positions