Career Question: Buyers Agent vs Valuer

Contrary to Terry's comments, valuers are highly sought after and there is a vast shortage of qualified valuers. Why restrict yourself to residential (you are only limited until you get suitable experience in each field) eg commercial, specialist retail valuer, special property (eg telco, leasehold, marinas, natural resources, plant and machinery etc)? There is little money to be made as a res valuer (great and important training ground) however there is a vast variety of work available in commercial offices leveraging off the val skills learnt to become property/asset managers, analysts for property trusts and a wide variety of other roles. Most val courses (degree) are 4 years and qualify for API membership (essential for recognition).

Suss out the careers section of the API website for more opportunities.

RR, I am a strong believer that a professional background which is gained by well rounded training and through structured learning as opposed to a short 'ends justifies the means' sales course will provide you with the financial nouse and understanding that you seek.  Short courses & in-house agency based training may give you glimpses into property dynamics however structured learning in property economics (although more time consuming) will give you indepth knowledge, research skills, curiosity etc to benefit your clients in a more tailored fashion ie you will understand what you are spruiking, know what is a good deal and one to walk away from based on knowledge not instinct & trial and error.

Real Estate sales people have a great reputation (just watch ACA etc), rarely does a professional like a valuer get such a media hammering (usually only when you are appearing as an expert witness justifying someone elses valuation of a $50M of a development).

RR, as you have given your thread a bump, I'll give you the opposing view to SNM.

I would agree that as SNM intimates, Real estate Agents do have a bad name to some extent (and for justifiable reasons), the same can be said for Plumbers, Mechanics, Doctors, Dentists and just about any other industry that you care to name where someone has had a bad experience (don't get me started on lying cheeting Investors and some of the dirty games that they play).

However,  from a platform of learning the investment strategies of others and witnessing first hand the Development process, I don't believe you can get a better foundation than the Real Estate Industry.   Valuers may well understand the mechanics of valueing a property but agents see first hand what the market is doing and what people want and don't want. and what people will or won't pay.   If you like hard work, I suggest that you give it a go.

Jon