How to become a real estate agent?

An estate agent is not just a buyer and reseller of real estate. He also deals in business assets and shares in real estate companies.

The profession of property trader is often little known to the general public, but attracts many talented individuals. It is a profession regulated by the tax authorities, provided that a sufficient number of transactions are carried out with a certain capital gain, and that the intention is speculative.

This business is increasingly carried out independently, using a suitable legal structure: SAS, SARL, SASU and EURL are the most commonly used.

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What qualifications and training do I need to become a property trader?

Becoming an independent property dealer requires no special training. Clearly, anyone can do the job. However, it is essential to have a basic knowledge base to make the best choices.

That's why we recommend training in real estate, urban planning, law, insurance or taxation. With or without a baccalaureate, the important thing is to master your market and make informed investment decisions.

Signing contracts, work estimates or sales compromises requires a good grasp of the financial risks and disputes to be anticipated.

How do you choose your legal status?

The management of real estate assets is likely to prompt some entrepreneurs to set up an SCI. This is impossible, however, as a non-trading company cannot carry on a commercial activity.

On the other hand, there are other legal forms suitable for this profession:

• The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée - simplified joint-stock company) offers two advantages: flexibility and simplicity. A minimum share capital of €1 is required, and there must be at least two partners. An SAS is managed by a Chairman, who may be a natural or legal person. As a result, it has a solid Internet organization and simplified governance. SAS directors are considered to be self-employed, and are covered by the "assimilés-salariés" scheme, i.e. the general Social Security system.
• 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. They benefit from a specific social protection scheme, which is less effective than that of salaried employees.

What is the tax regime for a property trader?

In certain situations, the property trader can benefit from attractive tax advantages. If they are recognized as such, notary fees are generally between 2% and 4%. They are also only required to pay VAT on the margin between the purchase and sale of the same property.

The company must then pay income tax. For SASU, SAS and SARL, the 15% rate applies up to €38,120 of taxable income, and 28% above that. The current government has set a target of reducing the standard corporate tax rate to 25% by 2023. Thereafter, each partner is taxed on the income paid by his or her company as property income.

Many property dealers use domiciliation companies to benefit from a prestigious head office address, lighten their daily routine and save on taxes!

In addition to having a head office in the most sought-after areas of Paris or other major French cities, you'll benefit from daily mail handling, administrative and legal assistance, a switchboard and meeting rooms.

Last but not least, choosing the right location for your business can help reduce the amount of your CFE tax. 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!