We tell you all you need to know about starting a career in Queensland Real Estate plus some useful tips of surviving you first year. Learn from the best to be the best!

1. TOP 6 TIPS
FOR SURVIVING
YOUR FIRST YEAR
IN REAL ESTATE
+ MANY BONUSES
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO
ENSURE SMOOTH START OF
YOUR REAL ESTATE CAREER
6 TIPS FOR SURVIVING YOUR
FIRST YEAR IN REAL ESTATE
Learn how to make a smooth transition
to real estate and make your first year a
success.
A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE
Discover the many different types of roles
you can do as a real estate professional.
BECOME AN AGENT IN
QUEENSLAND
Your ultimate step-by-step guide
on becoming an agent in Queensland.
HIGHLIGHTS
VA L I D U M
INSTITUTE
RTO No. 41224

2. Starting your new career in real estate might seem like a daunting challenge, but it doesn’t have
to be. With such a rewarding career ahead of you, all it takes is a few extra steps to ensure you
not just survive but thrive as a real estate professional. Here are six tips for how you can get the
most out of your first year in real estate.
1. Prepare an Ideal Week
When it comes to working in real estate, effective time management is the most important element
contributing to your success. Whether you are a sales agent, property manager or administrator,
you will be required to plan, prioritise and complete many daily tasks, on top of answering never-
ending phone calls and emails. The best way to manage your time is by preparing what’s called
an ‘Ideal Week’. An Ideal Week is a document which identifies tasks and prioritises them in an
efficient daily order. This is how you can maximise your productivity and minimise your stress,
which both go a long way in helping you succeed.
2. Build a support network
Having a support network is essential if you want to survive your first year in real estate.
Whether it’s through real estate conferences, seminars, and workshops, or connecting with
colleagues on LinkedIn or Validum student alumni, these networking opportunities all help build
your team of advisors. Forming valuable industry connections with colleagues from all roles and
levels is a great way to fill the knowledge and experience gaps you will undoubtedly have when
starting your career.
6 TIPS FOR SURVIVING
YOUR FIRST YEAR IN
REAL ESTATE
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3. 3. Find a mentor
Whilst it’s important to build a support network, finding a mentor is how you can take your career
to the next level. Attending networking events and connecting with colleagues online are the
best ways to find a mentor that’s right for you. A mentor boosts your career, helps you set goals,
and holds you accountable. You should look for someone who asks challenging questions, provides
constructive criticism, offers useful resources, and willingly shares their expertise. As the most
valuable part of your support network, finding a mentor is how you can take your career from
good to great in your first year.
4. Know your marketplace
Once you get started in real estate, you’ll soon discover that knowing your marketplace is the
key to succeeding. Since real estate is about living and breathing your market area, you should
allocate time in your Ideal Week to stepping outside your office and into your community. Getting
to know the best places to wine, dine, shop and play, is just as critical as knowing your area’s
latest property data. Conducting this weekly research not only helps you become a market area
specialist but ensures you feel more at home in the community you now represent.
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4. 5. Learn about property investment
Whilst understanding real estate is essential, agents often overlook the hidden value of learning about
property investment. From the moment you start, you will be making important decisions about your
clients’ investments and financial security, so it’s critical you understand their needs and how best to
fulfil them. As a result, taking a property investment course can not only help you better understand
your clients but help you perform better in your new role and stand out from other candidates.
6. Continue to upskill
Once you gain your real estate sale certificate and start your new career, your training should not
stop there. As you apply what you’ve studied, you’ll naturally find areas where you excel, where
you lack, and where you’re interested in learning more. Surviving your first year, therefore, requires
commitment to ongoing training. Upskilling and fine-tuning your existing skills can be done online
through institutions like Validum – why not upgrade from your Sales Certificate to your full Real Estate
Agent Licence? This is how ongoing training can be part of your Ideal Week to ensure you remain at
the top of your game in your first year.
Your first year in real estate might seem challenging, but these six tips will help you not just survive
but thrive. A career in this industry can be truly rewarding if you simply take a few extra steps to help
you get started.
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5. HOW TO MOVE INTO AN
AMAZING CAREER IN
REAL ESTATE
So you’ve made the decision to start a career in Real Estate, good on
you. Whether you have been out of the workforce for some time or
simply looking for a career change, Real Estate is an exciting industry
and one that you have unlimited opportunities for great job prospects
and earning capacity.
But what’s next?
We share 4 simple tips to consider on your path into a successful Real
Estate career.
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6. WHAT ROLE
DO I WANT IN
REAL ESTATE?
This is an important question. There
are many careers within the real estate
industry, including:
Consider your current skills and capabilities
which align with the various roles available
and do some research on what jobs are out
there.
Remember, starting at an entry level allows
you to learn more about the industry and
gives you all-round experience, and allows you
to choose which area you’d like to focus on
once you’re in the job.
Do I need to undertake a
Real Estate Course?
The simple answer is yes.
If you are wanting to become a Real Estate
Agent, the Office of Fair Trading requires you
(as a minimum) to have completed an approved
real estate course.
Most agencies will require you to undertake
the minimal qualification - this is a Real Estate
Registration Certificate Course. In your Real
Estate Registration Certificate Course you will
learn about:
• Your rights and responsibilities as a
real estate agent
• How to sell a property correctly
• Understanding zoning laws and
regulations
• The importance of continuing education
• Consumer advocacy so you can
represent your clients professionally
and ethically.
We often see people undertake a Real Estate
Agent Licence Course instead of a Registration
Certificate Course to gain a competitive edge
over their peers.
»» Real Estate Salesperson
»» Property Manager
»» Resident Letting Agent
»» Corporate Support Administration
»» Buyers or Sellers Agent
»» Sales Manager
»» Auctioneer
»» Property Valuer
»» Research Analyst
»» Property Developer
»» Business Development Manager
»» Real Estate Writer/Photographer
»» Real Estate Marketing Executive
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7. Ensure you get training from a licensed Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like Validum
Institute who is a provider of quality-assured and nationally recognised training and qualifications.
Consider if you prefer to study in a face to face classroom style or online. At Validum Institute, we
offer a blended approach to suit all your learning needs so you can study via an interactive online
learner portal combined with personal one-on-one trainer and assessor support.
At Validum Institute we offer up to 6 months to complete your Registration Certificate Course.
This means you have the flexibility to complete your course at your own pace in your own time.
Validum Institute also offers multiple attempts at assessments ensuring your course success.
Validum Institute offers a blended approach to suit
all your learning needs.
HOW TO SELECT A
TRAINING PROVIDER
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8. “I highly recommend the Validum Institute real
estate training to anyone that wants to begin a
career in Real Estate.
Validum allowed the flexibility of being able to
manage work, family life and study at my own
pace.
The knowledge I received was always informative
and of a high standard. Their staff are extremely
enthusiastic and are always willing to help you in
any way to ensure you achieve your goals.”
STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
WHAT ARE
MY JOB
PROSPECTS
LIKE?
The truthful answer is if you’ve gone to the
trouble to get Certified and study in an area
you are obviously passionate about, they’re
really good.
A lot depends on where you want to work,
what the market is like in that area, and your
own personal attributes. Strong salespeople
can expect to make six figures and up per year.
Research companies you’d like to work for and
join professional groups. Get onto LinkedIn and
create your professional profile and join Real
Estate Groups – it’s free. It will also help you
keep up to date with industry trends and you
can follow industry movers and shakers.
You never know, you just may end up working
for them one day!
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9. HOW TO BECOME A REAL
ESTATE AGENT IN QUEENSLAND:
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW
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10. Step 1: Check that You’re Eligible to Become an Agent with the OFT
To become a real estate agent, property manager or agency administrator in Queensland the first thing
you need to do is obtain your Real Estate Salesperson Registration Certificate.
Most people will have no problems getting their Registration Certificate. However, there are a few personal
circumstances that can stand between you and a successful application (age at time of application, criminal
history, and insolvency history).
It doesn’t make sense to train without ensuring you’re eligible for the licence, so it’s a good idea to check
the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Queensland requirements first.
Step 2: Study for Your Statement of Attainment
Your Registration Certificate application with the OFT will require that you have studied for and achieved
a Statement of Attainment for Units of Competency with a Registered Training Provider (RTO), such as
Validum Institute, for a Real Estate Registration Certificate Course.
To obtain your Statement of Attainment you must pass the core 7 units of competency required by
the Office of Fair Trading. These units include:
»» CPPDSM4008A – Identify legal and ethical requirements of property sales to complete agency work
»» CPPDSM4009 – Interpret legislation to complete work in the property industry
»» CPPDSM4010A – Lease property
»» CPPDSM4012A – List property for sale
»» CPPDSM4015B – Minimise agency and consumer risk
»» CPPDSM4022A – Sell and finalise the sale of property by private treaty
»» CPPDSM4080A – Work in the real estate industry
Upon completion of your course you will be issued with a Statement of Attainment for the above Units
of Competency. When you study with Validum, we help ensure you’ll get through these units by:
»» Clustering them into 4 items of assessment
»» Allow you 6 months to complete the course
»» Blended approach to training with free on-one-one trainer assessor support
»» Making all assessments open book, and including both theory and practical questions
»» Allowing up to 3 attempts to complete your assessments with NO exams
»» Employing experienced real estate professionals to train you
»» Offer an interactive state of the art online learning platform
»» A dedicated student lounge to study with free Wi-Fi and parking
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11. 11

12. Step 3: Apply for You Registration Certificate
Once you pass all your units, you’ll be issued with a Statement of Attainment.
The next step in the process is to use this Statement of Attainment in your application
for your Registration Certificate through the Office of Fair Trading Queensland.
Fortunately, the application paper work is only a few pages. There are Registration
Certificate application costs involved, however, and as at 9 December 2016 these
include:
• An application fee and registration issue fee of $312.10 for 1 year or $530.30
for 3 years
• A criminal history check ($38.80)
A Registration Certificate will allow you to work for a real estate agency under a
licensee or real estate principal. Obtaining your Registration Certificate is the first big
achievement on your path to a successful real estate career!
Step 4: Find Your Agency
Now you’re certified, you need to find a job!
The good news for those seeking a career within real estate is that, according
to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook data, real estate is an industry
full of opportunity for both beginners and experienced agents:
• Job openings for real estate sales agents are expected to be above
average until at least November 2019.
• Employment for real estate agents rose moderately in the last
five years and strongly in the last ten years. Strong industry
growth is expected until at least 2020.
• There is an above average number of full-time jobs in the real
estate industry.
• The unemployment for real estate agents is below average when
compared to other jobs.
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13. Step 5: Upskill
With a taste for the industry and a little experience behind you, it won’t be long before you’re
discovering which parts of the job you excel at, and where you might like to go next.
At Validum Institute, we offer training not just to newcomers, but also to experienced agents
who are looking to level up their industry skills, or perhaps even start their own business.
We can provide you with the training necessary to apply to be certified to:
• Manage residential and holiday resort complexes, apartment complexes,
developments of townhouses or villas and tourist facilities with our Resident Letting
Agent Licence Course.
• Own & manage a real state agency, act as a principle licensee, and work as an
independent contractor with our Real Estate Agent Licence Course.
We can also help you achieve an educational advantage over other candidates with our
CPP40307 Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate) Course – one of the highest VET
qualifications in real estate available in Queensland.
Whether you’re a real estate beginner and are enthusiastic about kick-starting your new career,
or you’re an experienced agent who wants to take their skillset to the next level, Validum
Institute can train you!
One of the most exciting aspects of the real estate industry is the huge opportunity for career
progression – you never stop learning, and we’re here to help you make your education count
towards a brighter professional future!
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14. What does a Property Manager do?
Property Managers are responsible for leasing and managing
the residential, commercial, industrial and retail property on
behalf of property owners. They also do the following:
• Listen well
• Provide excellent customer service
• Interview prospective tenants, does reference
checks and selects the best tenant for the owner
• Collect rent
• Arrange repairs
• Market the property
• Negotiate leases and rent reviews
• Advise owners on market rents
• Represent the property owner at tribunal hearings
What skills and training do I need to become a Property
Manager?
The professional Property Manager needs excellent
communication and people skills, knowledge of all relevant
legislation, including building maintenance and town
planning, and an understanding of how economic conditions
affect the property market.
You will receive on the job training in your role, however
given the above requirements, in Queensland, you will need
to complete a Real Estate Registration Certificate.
There are additional Property Management Courses available
that will keep you up-to-date after you’ve received your
Registration Certificate.
Once referred
to as the job
you have before
you step up
into a Real
Estate sales
role, Property
Management is
now seen as a
fantastic career
option in its
own right.
SALES NOT FOR YOU?
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT A CAREER IN
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
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15. Consider this…
What job options are there for a Property Manager?
It takes a special type of person to be a professional Property Manager. Your role will be demanding,
and you could be expected to work long hours when it’s needed. You will work Saturday’s and be on
call to your tenants after hours. Your job is to represent owners and their property investments,
and you also want a great working relationship with your tenants. It’s often a juggling act, so an
enthusiastic, honest approach to your work will ensure you manage the daily stresses.
Increasingly, agencies are valuing the importance of having someone who is well versed and
educated – not just in Property Management tasks, but in the management of a profitable and
well-run Property Management business. Someone who can demonstrate high-level leadership
skills and good people management.
Large companies often employ Property Managers to look after the housing needs of their
employees. Businesses that have multiple sites employ property managers to look after their
retail outlets. You can even work in shopping centres, where you manage retail tenants and the
property.
You’ve chosen Property Management as your career, so now it’s important to find a job where
you can demonstrate your abilities and really succeed. Do your homework online, check out your
prospective employer’s business on social media and see what people have to say about them.
When researching or interviewing for potential roles, make sure you ask the following questions:
• How large their rental portfolio is, how many people work in the PM division?
• Why are they recruiting?
• Ask the average amount of time a PM stays in the role
• Is there a dedicated mentor to help you on the job?
• What systems do they use?
• Do they plan to offer you any ongoing training or professional development for you?
• What type of office culture do they have? You want a place that is supportive and
inclusive and genuinely wants you to succeed.
If you are prepared to put in the hard work, you will enjoy a rewarding career in Property
Management. It will provide you with excellent long term job opportunities and if you are good,
no – great at your job, the jobs (and rewards) will find you!
Your job checklist?
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16. “I was extremely impressed with the level
of service I received while completing the
Full Real Estate Licence course with Validum
Institute. From the outset, I had access
to great support and fantastic customer
service. Doing the course online also made it
convenient and easier to complete, as I was
able to fit the course into my own schedule.
Thanks Validum!”
STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
INDEPENDENT VS
FRANCHISE AGENCIES –
WHO SHOULD YOU CHOOSE
TO WORK FOR?
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17. When entering the real estate industry, it can
be difficult deciding which agency is the best
fit for you. Many questions come up during this
time, the most common being- should I choose
an independent or franchise agency to work
for? To help with your decision, we weigh up
their pros and cons and what you should know
about both types of agencies.
What You Should Know
About The Independent
Real Estate Agency
An independent agency is a single office owned
and managed by a licensee who, alongside their
team, offers all real estate services or specialises
in either sales or property management.
There are many reasons why real estate
professionals choose an independent agency
over a franchise agency.
To begin with, since an independent is not
governed by a franchise policy, you have
more flexibility when it comes to branding,
marketing, pricing and service standards. This
also means an independent may be quicker to
adopt new ideas, technology, and tools, giving
you more autonomy and room for creativity.
As well, unlike the regulated franchise agency,
an independent can easily appeal to a niche
market by delivering unique pricing or customer
service strategies, which gives you the ability
to differentiate and win more business. Other
reasons many opt to work at an independent
are because they’re usually smaller in size,
more in tune with the local market, deliver a
personalised service, and provide a greater
sense of belonging.
However, there are many reasons why real
estate professionals choose not to go with
an independent real estate agency. To start
with, an independent usually has less brand
recognition than their franchise competitors.
This means you do not have the luxury of
winning business simply through using the
brand’s reputation, presence or buying power.
As well, some independents can be slow to
grow as they may have limited resources
which could, as a result, hinder your career
progression. Due to their smaller size, an
independent usually does not have specialist
divisions, such as administration, marketing
or training departments. Such departments
can help you with upskilling and having more
available time to dedicate to sourcing clients
which can increase your ability to achieve your
desired results.
When it comes to deciding if an independent
agency is right for you, keep in mind that
all independents are different. Some have
established reputations and some are start-ups,
some focus on community and others focus on
marketing, some are forward-thinking whilst
others are inflexible and lack resources. As
such, it’s important that you do your research
on each independent agency to determine
which one best suits you.
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18. What You Should Know About The Franchise Real
Estate Agency
In contrast, a franchise real estate agency is
when one party (the franchisor) grants another
party (the franchisee) the right to use its
trademark, trade name, systems and processes
to market and deliver real estate sales and
property management services.
There are many reasons why real estate
professionals choose a franchise agency over an
independent agency. For starters, a franchise
agency has a larger referral network to help
source homes, buyers, sellers and renters, which
gives you greater potential to win business due
to this extra support. Another reason many opt
for a franchise agency is because they have
a brand behind them. This high level of brand
recognition can help you form instant trust
with prospects and win more business.
What’s more, a franchise agency usually
has greater buying power for marketing and
advertising. This means that their website,
collateral, signage and other forms of
promotion are more visible in the market area.
Most franchise groups also put more focus on
internal recognition and awards to help keep
the group on track and motivated. As a result,
many franchise groups offer ongoing training
programs and access to mentors to give you the
best chance at achieving results and winning
awards.
However, there are many reasons why real estate
professionals choose not to go with a franchise
real estate agency. To begin with, a franchise
agency has less flexibility when it comes
to branding, marketing, pricing and service
standards, which can limit your autonomy and
creativity. As well, if the franchise agency
belongs to a brand that is considered weak in
the market area, it can hinder your chances of
winning business. Joining a franchise agency
also means abiding by strict policies, procedures
and territory restrictions, which may impact on
your ability to perform and grow your career.
When it comes to deciding if a franchise agency
is right for you, keep in mind that all franchise
groups, and standalone franchise agencies
for that matter, are different. Some groups
have larger budgets, some have greater brand
recognition, some focus on training and others
focus on technology, some are fast-moving
whilst others are slow to change. As such, it’s
important that you do your research on each
franchise group to determine which one best
suits you.
I laughed when someone told me their toddler
was devastated because they woke up without
their glasses and when the mother tried to
tell the toddler that he didn’t wear glasses a
hysterical breakdown occurred. So negotiation
skills – yep mummies I think you have that
covered! Your ability to reason, look at things
from other people’s view, to stay calm during
chaos will make you the best real estate
negotiator around.
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19. As you can see, there are many pros and cons
to consider when it comes to choosing between
an independent and franchise agency.
It should be noted that online real estate tools
and apps, such as Buzz Sumo, Beacon, Canva,
and Coschedule, are now giving independents
greater access to resources and levelling the
playing field. But, when it comes to choosing
the best fit for you, it still pays to do your
research.
Independent vs
Franchise – Which wins?
A good place to start is by reviewing agencies’
websites and chatting with industry colleagues
about their experiences so you get a greater
understanding of individual agencies.
When doing your research consider the cultural-
fit for yourself and whether the agency’s values
and ethics are aligned to yours.
If, perhaps, you feel you want to be creative
in your role or would like mentoring first and
foremost, then select an agency that matches
that, whether independent or franchise. Don’t be
lulled into a false sense of brand recognition or
long-time local agency.
Whether independent or franchise, you should
opt for the agency that is progressive, aligned
with local markets, has a great reputation as a
standalone office, and suits you and your career
goals.
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20. Wanting to know more about
starting a career in Real Estate?
Call Validum Institute TODAY on
(07) 3193 5270 for a
FREE Consultation to answer all your needs with
an industry experienced Course Trainer and Assessor.
LOCATION
Level One / Unit 9
The Fresh Centre
Brisbane Markets Precinct
385 Sherwood Road
Rocklea QLD 4106
E: admin@validumgroup.com.au
RTO No. 41224
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