How to become an independent real estate agent?

The residential and commercial real estate market is becoming increasingly complex, and requires the intervention of quality professionals to match supply and demand in this market. At the same time, it is benefiting from the digitization of the economy and seeing the emergence of new forms of intermediation.

For new entrants, two strategic priorities can now be identified: accumulating as much data as possible to identify the best opportunities for all customers, and providing personalized, high value-added advice.

In addition to traditional estate agencies, many real estate agents are choosing to set up on their own.

Let's find out everything you need to know before launching your business!

What qualifications do I need to become an independent real estate agent?

To become a real estate agent, you need a professional license, issued by your local prefecture and renewable every 10 years.

To obtain it, you need a minimum level of training corresponding to a bac+2 diploma (BTS specialized in real estate professions) or bac+3 (bachelor's degree). Professional experience is also required. This lasts 10 years as an employee of a real estate agent, and is reduced to 4 years for a manager and 3 years for holders of a baccalaureate.

Private schools also offer the qualifications required to become a real estate agent: the École Supérieure des Professions Immobilières (ESPI), the Institut National Supérieur de l'Immobilier (INSI), the École supérieure de l'immobilier (ESI), the Institut du management des services immobiliers (Imsi) and others. Higher education (bac +5 or higher) also opens the way to obtaining a professional license.

What qualities are required?

A number of qualities are regularly cited as key to becoming a real estate agent, the most important of which is the abilityto negotiate. Your "soft skills" are crucial to obtaining sales mandates, developing your clientele and building prosperous business relationships.

Listening to your customers and empathizing with them is important in order to best meet their needs, and encourage them to follow your advice.

It is also essential to be hard-working andpersevering in an increasingly competitive environment to obtain sales or rental management mandates.

How do you choose your legal status?

There are several legal forms you can use to become a freelance real estate agent:

• The micro-entrepreneur status status is particularly easy to set up, manage and wind up. Your social security contributions are calculated on the basis of your gross sales. This is capped at €176,200 for sales and purchases, and €72,500 for services.
• The SASU (Société par actions simplifiée unipersonnelle) is particularly flexible. Its day-to-day operation is set out in the articles of association. The Chairman of the SASU is covered by the general social security system.
• EIRL (Entreprise individuelle à responsabilité limitée). As the name suggests, the entrepreneur is only liable for the amount of capital he or she has contributed to the company. His or her personal assets are protected in the event of bad business, and cannot be used to recover any debts.
• EURL (Entreprise universelle à responsabilité limitée). It offers the same advantages as the EIRL, but its manager is considered a self-employed worker. It benefits from a specific social protection scheme, less effective than that of salaried employees.

What are the keys to launching a successful business?

Real estate agents must be trusted by their customers. In this sense, his profile must convey a serious and credible image to reassure. In this respect, displaying a prestigious head office address is a fundamental element in winning mandates.

This way, your business card will shine even brighter, and help you win over new customers. There's no better way to do this than with a domiciliation company!

It is also advisable to develop your brand awareness and online presence in several ways:

• By listing your company in various online directories and databases (online directories, Google My Business, Yellow Pages, etc.).
• By creating a website, blog, business cards, and a professional presentation that can be easily passed on to anyone interested in your services.
• By making the best use of the many prospecting and networking platforms specializing in real estate transactions

Using the services of a domiciliation company is a decisive advantage for new independent real estate agents!

You'll benefit from a prestigious address for your head office, lighten your daily routine and save on taxes.

With SeDomicilier, you can obtain your certificate of domiciliation in less than 5 minutes, in a 100% online process. What's more, all your services are then available in a personalized, secure virtual office!