This is a guest post by James Durr.
While you don't need a specific qualification to work in real estate in the UK, there are numerous courses you can take - at universities, colleges or via specialist online platforms - to help you stand head and shoulders above the rest.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) offers a number of property-related qualifications, as does the IFF (International Faculty of Finance).
A real estate course is certainly worth doing. After all, clients and stakeholders will almost always choose an accredited professional over one that holds no official qualifications.
However, it's not easy to become a property expert. You'll need to study diligently and pass certain examinations in order to complete your training.
So, what are the best approaches you can take to ensure that you pass these tests? In this article, we'll explore how best to tackle your studies and exam prep to help you achieve the best possible results.
Tip 1. Focus on the Detail
Whether your studies are self-guided or led by an instructor, it's vital that you pay close attention to everything you're told.
You'll be taught tried and tested processes, techniques, regulations and terminology that you'll need to fully absorb and understand if you want to pass your exams with flying colours.
Be sure to note down every key detail, then read back what you've written after each class, lecture or study session to help the information become properly ingrained.
Tip 2. Ask Questions
Many areas of real estate require strong problem solving skills. You can only think creatively and tackle fresh challenges effectively once you have an integral understanding of all the key disciplines within the sector.
If you only learn and repeat parrot-style, you'll be less adaptable - and liable to only think in black and white. For this reason, you MUST ask questions.
Whether you're struggling to understand something or you just want a little clarification or a few more examples, don't feel embarrassed about reaching out and asking for help.
Remember, people pick up skills and commit things to memory at different rates and in different ways. You'll thank yourself later when you breeze through your tests.
Tip 3. Read Around the Subject
Real estate is an ever-changing field, with new approaches and technologies being developed all the time. The more you absorb yourself in the field outside of class, the more your expertise will grow.
Of course, your main focus should be on the particular topics you are studying, but doing extra reading and research (like checking out local and online auctions) to supplement this will always be a huge bonus - plus, it's an invaluable habit to develop for when your career begins in earnest.
Tip 4. Revise
If you're studying for a real estate qualification at the same time as holding down a day job or juggling other responsibilities, it can be easy to put revision and further reading on the back burner as you prioritise areas of your life that feel more "immediate".
However, this is a big mistake! If you don't actively make time to revise in the weeks and even months before a test, you'll find yourself stressed and underprepared in the final few days - and you may even risk failing.
Try to earmark set times in your schedule to sit down and read through your notes or get some other form of studying done outside of "class time".
If you need a little help or support in order to do this, and if you are able to make contact with others taking the same course at the same time, you may even decide to create an informal "study group".
You can do this remotely or in person in order to discuss relevant topics, answer each other's questions, test one another or simply have someone to hold you accountable as you prepare.
It's always a good idea to consider how and when you learn best. Don't try to force yourself to follow the same approach as any of your peers; instead, work out an approach that suits your individual needs and stick to it.
Whether you're studying for a Certificate in Commercial Real Estate, a Certificate in Property Finance and Investment or any other property-related qualification, the above tips will help you to achieve the best possible outcome from any course or exam.
Avoid cutting corners and give yourself plenty of time to figure out how you learn best. Then be sure to take in all of the instruction you receive in detail, asking questions, exploring the wider industry and going back over what you've learned on a regular basis.
This will help you make sure you have fully absorbed everything you have been taught, and that you are ready to apply the skills, techniques and knowledge you have acquired - whether in the "exam room" or in a professional setting.
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About the author
James Durr has been a property buyer and developer for almost 2 decades. As one of the co-founders of a leading UK homebuying firm, he has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge in speaking effectively and empathetically with property owners and business owners to find genuine win-win solutions.
