You have no degree, but you want to be a real estate agent? Fine, but …

• You can qualify as a real estate agent without a degree but you do need a diploma in Estate Agency.
• A real estate agent is not a real estate negotiator, but they are both real estate professionals.
• A degree in related courses will help your pursuit in becoming a successful real estate professional. 

Unlike the previous generation of jobseekers, a degree has become a prerequisite for the most basic of skilled occupations that you begin to wonder – do you need one too to become a real estate agent? 

Well, the answer is no. 

However, you do need to obtain a diploma in Estate Agency. According to the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA), you must pass all the six subjects in the first year before you can take the next six subjects in the second year. Since the exams are held only once a year, retaking papers may mean you are set back by a year, but you must complete the whole course within three years. 

Before that, you need to have at least the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) with a minimum of five passes, or a similar or higher certification acknowledged by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and Public Service Department (JPA). 

That is not all. 

A two-year training under the supervision of a fully-qualified Real Estate Agent (REA) is also required after you have successfully obtained your diploma, in which you will be regarded as a Probationary Real Estate Agent (PEA). In addition, you must submit a log of your work to the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers (BOVAEA) for appraisal and approval.

There are no shortcuts, even If you possess degrees in other courses. The only exemption is given to degree holders of property-related courses, who will be eligible to register as a PEA without the diploma in Estate Agency and will only require a one-year training under a REA. 

(Click here for the list of accreditations.) 

That about sums up the route to becoming a qualified and licensed REA in Malaysia. 

But what is a REA? 

A REA is a real estate professional who can work on his or her own independently to provide real estate services such as selling or renting out properties, in addition to running his or her own property business. 

How about a REN? 

Aren’t they the same? 

Well, in essence, they are both real estate professionals but real estate negotiators (REN) are individuals who assist or work alongside licensed REAs. 

A REN does not have full qualifications and accreditations. However, RENs are still accredited and qualified in their own way. More importantly, a REN must be registered with the BOVAEA.

To be recognised as a qualified REN, you must attend a two-day course on Real Estate and get a certificate of attendance. In addition, a REN must be attached to a real estate firm under a “contract of service”. 

It is always good to have a degree in hand

Nevertheless, a degree in the following fields would come in handy for a real estate agent:

a) Marketing

It is not an easy feat to market yourself and your brand. While a marketing degree might not be a mandatory requirement to become a licensed REA, you will gain knowledge not only in marketing basics but also the way to market your properties effectively and efficiently using different types of channels such as direct mail, social media and email. You may probably learn how to write good marketing messages to attract your potential buyers. 

b) Communications

Knowing how to communicate effectively is an essential and powerful skill for a real estate professional. A degree in communications prepares its learners to convey important information in an efficient manner and explains the way to apply such information to various industries, including the real estate field. A professional in communications will also be able to turn data into a marketing tool by researching and analysing the information, and finally making that analysis into a business strategy.  

c) Business Administration

A business administration degree is a versatile academic qualification that covers all aspects of business, including running a real estate firm. Real estate professionals, especially a REA, may want to consider this major. It allows you to hone skills in managing a business and learning to create better strategic business plans that will help you to succeed in your real estate career. 

d) Entrepreneurship

A course in entrepreneurship will help to cultivate important skills such as managing risks, setting goals and objectives, and ways to achieve them.

Carving a career path in real estate selling is not an easy task if you are not up to the game, whether you have a degree or not. One way to up your game and achieve success is to keep yourself updated with the local property scene and optimise all resources available in the market. 

If you’re a real estate professional, join our network to market your properties today!