Changing Run Way? Become a Real Estate Agent?
With the fast-changing environment, after working in a profession for some time, you might feel that this might not be the right Career you are pursuing. It could be a good time for you to revaluated what you want. If you are considering joining the Real Estate Industry, these blogs might give you some pointers.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Singapore?
You can commonly see Property agents' recruitment advertisements on social media and in newspapers every day. Now you also see an advertisement on Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc.. all the digital media platforms.
Leaders of each agency are marketing themselves on all these platforms. Showing all their portfolios, and their results to catch your attention so you can join them.
I am a District Director in Huttons Asia Pte Ltd, same as other Leaders in all the Agencies, I am expanding my team. If you are keen, welcome you to give me a call or WhatsApp at 94896105, we can sit down over a cup of coffee and find out how I can assist you.
Well, is it once you join us, you will become a Property Agent immediately?
It isn't that simple. Let's go into more detail.
Is it easy to be a Real Estate Agent?
Obtaining a real estate license is not that simple in Singapore.
To become a Property Agent, first, you must have obtained the minimum Academy qualification.
Requirements To Become A Real Estate Salesperson (RES):
- You must be at least 21 years old
- Singaporean or Permanent Resident
- Minimum of 4 GCE ‘O’ level passes or equivalent (WPLN)
- Fulfills CEA fit and proper criteria
What is the cost of the real estate course and the fees for the exam?
There are several costs involved before you obtain your Real Estate Sales person (RES) license and an identification tag.
1. Real Estate Agent Course ( Real Estate Salesperson (RES)) course:
The Course fee generally runs in the range of S$700 – S$900, it all depends on various RES course providers. ( A list of course providers will be listed later in this article)
- You can enjoy a UTAP subsidy of up to S$250 for the RES course if you are an NTUC member.
- A SkillsFuture credit of up to S$500 can be utilized for Singaporean and Permanent Residents.
2. Fees for RES exams:
S$417.30 (inclusive GST) for 2 papers.
S$235.40 (inclusive GST) per paper for re-takers.
When you have passed the exams, you would need to pay to register with a licensed estate agency.
Basic Costs Are:
Real Estate Salesperson Registration fee: S$53.50 + S$230 (annual CEA fees) = S$283.50
Professional Indemnity Insurance: S$120
Agency levied admin fees for name cards/ID Tag/Start-Up Course/Admin fees: S$300 - S$500 range.
Overall, that will come up to a total of an estimated $S2,500 before you start practising.
What Is the Real Estate Agent Course about?
In the year 2010, The Council of Real Estate Agency (CEA), all new property agents requires to take a compulsory RES exam. Certain requirements must be fulfilled.
They have to take the RES course from the CEA-approved course providers.
This course will help you to understand the concepts of real estate and agency practice.
Provides you with the basic knowledge of Singapore laws in property transactions.
The RES course covers so many different areas that even veterans practising real estate agents are unable to fully remember all the material.
Real Estate Salesperson (RES) Exams
After completing the RES Course, you may register for the RES exam at NTUC Learning Hub and must pass the 2 RES exam papers.
Currently, the exams are held 3 times a year April, August, and November.
The exam date will only be announced 1 month in advance, so do always check the CEA website for the latest registration date.
Below is the latest announced date for the August 2022 exam. Do take that there are two stages for the registration date, don't miss it.
Details of how to register for the examinations please refer to the NTUC Learning HUB website. (https://res.ntuclearninghub.com/)
Exam Eligibility Criteria
Exam candidates will need to comply with the following
Must have obtained “Certificate of completion for RES course”.
To obtain this certificate, you must achieve a minimum of 75% attendance in your RES course.
Fees For The Exam
S$417.30 (inclusive of GST) for 2 papers.
S$235.40 (inclusive of GST) per paper for retakers.
RES Exam Format
There are 2 papers in each module (2 ½ hours per paper)
Both Papers 1 & 2:
- Section A: 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - 1 mark each
- Section B: 15 MCQ with reference to 1 or 2 Case Studies – 2 marks each
- Section C: 10 Fill in the Blank Short Answer Questions (SAQs) - 2 marks each
RES Exam Results
- Exam Administrator will notify you of your results
- RES course participants will have to pass the RES examination within 2 years from the date of issue of the Certificate of Completion of RES Course
- If you are unable to pass any remaining Papers within the 2-year time frame, you will have to retake the RES course and sit for the full RES examination again i.e. both Papers 1 and 2.
The Appeal Of RES Exam Results
If you think that you should have passed the exams, you may submit an appeal to review your exam paper via NTUC Learning HUB, CEA's appointed examination administrator, within 5 working days from the date of the notification of examination results.
A non-refundable fee of $64.20 (inclusive of GST) is charged for the review of each examination paper.
Important Note For Aspiring Property Agents and Foreigners:
Attending the RES Course and passing the RES Examination does not automatically qualify you to be a real estate agent.
The applicant has to comply with the full registration requirements stipulated under the Estate Agents Act, which include meeting the fit & proper criteria.
Please check the complete list of registration criteria on CEA’s website before registering for the RES Course, or you can always contact me at 94896105 for more details.
For foreigners who wish to register with CEA as Real Estate Salespersons (RES), they will need to have a valid Employment Pass (EP) issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
They should consult a Real Estate Agency that is prepared to support their future registration application, which would then check with CEA.
Thereafter, when they register for the RES Course, they will need to produce a letter of sponsorship from the real estate agency.
List of Recommended CEA Approved Course Providers for the Real Estate Agent Course 2022
There are many training centres and in case you are wondering which RES course provider to go for, this list will be helpful as I have heard good reviews from the new property agents who have joined us.
Find out which RES Course suits you best!
If you stay near central areas, BenchMark RealPro and Real Centre Network are the best choices!
If you stay in the west, head to Pioneer Training & Consultancy.
If you are an East sider, head to Real Centre Network or Singapore Estate Agents Association, Hastor Property Services Pte Ltd
Each real estate school has different RES course schedules to suit busy working adults or parents alike with courses such as weekends only, Saturdays only, specific weekday nights and express classes. Check them out here for a review and comparison.
Recommended Course Provider
BenchMark RealPro Pte Ltd (Highly Recommended! Passionate & awesome trainer David Huan)
Website: www.benchmarkrealpro.com
Tel: 67355860 / 67355861
Email: benchmarkrealpro@gmail.com
Venue: 151 Chin Swee Road #03-31 Manhattan House Singapore 169876.
Institute of Estate Agents
Website: www.iea.sg
Tel No: 6323 1770
Email: courses@iea.sg
Venue: 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #07-01 HDB Hub East Wing Singapore 310480
Pioneer Training & Consultancy Pte Ltd
Website: www.pioneertraining.org
Tel No: 6462 6093 / 9424 3483
Email: pioneertc@gmail.com
Venue: Blk 134 Jurong Gateway Road #03-309P Singapore 600134
Real Centre Network Pte Ltd
Website: www.realcentrenetwork.com
Tel No: 6511 3009
Email: info@realcentrenetwork.com
Venue: 490 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #09-16 HDB Hub Biz 3 Singapore 310490
*Update: RCN now has branches in Tampines and Jurong too.
Singapore Estate Agents Association
Website: www.seaa.org.sg
Tel No: 6702 1602 Email: edu@seaa.org.sg
Venue: 60 Paya Lebar Road #13-23 Paya Lebar Square Singapore 409051 (Office Lift Lobby 1)
Hastor Property Services Pte Ltd
websites: www.hastor.com.sg
Tel: 6252 2802
190 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, #02-514, Central Singapore 310190
How do I officially become a real estate agent after passing the RES exams?
Congratulations if you managed to pass your exams! It was no mean feat!
By now you might have done your research on which agency to join.
Otherwise, the top 4 real estate agencies at the moment are Propnet, ERA, Huttons and OrangeTee & Tie.
You are always welcome to contact me at 94896105 or Whatsapp me on how I help our new RES to get ready and successful in their new career.
If you are still searching for an agency, read this article to find out which real estate agency you should join after passing your exams.
Finally, this is what you need to do:
Submitting a Salesperson Registration
Get an application form from your real estate agency and submit your salesperson application to CEA for the ‘In-Principle Approval‘ (IPA). You can contact me at 94896105 if you want to find out more about the Agency I am now.
Approval of CEA Registration
Within 4-6 weeks, you should receive a notification of CEA's approval.
Congratulations! CEA has confirmed your registration with your estate agency. You are ready to start on an exciting and rewarding real estate career!
Looking for great real estate career mentorship to shorten your learning curve?
Drop me a WhatsApp/Email if you would like to start your career with our team or attend our next Career Seminar!
Did this article provide you with ideas or inspiration?
Like, comment below and share this with your friends who are considering a Property Agent Career!
Peter Tan
An experienced Real Estate Professional in Singapore since 1995.
He is an experienced Real Estate Professional and he is also a leader in Navis Living Group, a division in Huttons Asia Pte Ltd, the fastest-growing division in Huttons, with more than 1100 associates in this division. He is also a blogger sharing the Singapore Property markets insight.
Peter is leading a small group of associates, he mentors and provides training and make sure each of them is on the right track. Regular meeting with his associates and understanding the needs is what Peter is doing for them, always provides training and update on the property markets for them to equip them with the latest policy and markets trends so as to better serve their clients.
He is also being appointed as a Projects IC to lead a team of Huttons Agents in marketing developer new launch project. Recently he is appointed as IC for Penrose, A new launch development by Hong Leong and CDL in district 14.
WhatsApp Peter if you are looking for someone who can share and guide you in your career in Real Estate.
