Real Estate Diploma Attracts Wide Range Of Student

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Albany Real Estate - The Professionals

Massey real estate diploma attracts wider than anticipated range of students

An increasing number of real estate salespeople are signing up to study for a Massey University diploma originally designed for prospective owners and managers of real estate agencies.

North Shore's booming property market, support from the local real estate industry and an increasingly sophisticated market have contributed to strong demand for The Real Estate Endorsed Graduate Diploma in Business Studies. It is offered at Massey University's Albany campus and, so far, more than 500 students have completed the course.

The Diploma confers graduates with Associate status in the real estate industry, which entitles them to become licensees, to own and manage real estate agencies and become Real Estate Institute of New Zealand Associate Members.

However, Massey University reports that rather than just attracting people who plan to own and manage a real estate company, an increasing number of real estate salespeople are signing on for the diploma which is fast becoming a valued qualification for salespeople.

Graham Crews, Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at Massey University and the co-ordinator for the Real Estate Endorsed Graduate Diploma in Business Studies, says the diploma has now become recognised throughout the industry as a prestigious qualification for real estate salespeople. As a result, today most of the course's 500-plus students are salespeople.

"In recent years the real estate market has become more sophisticated as has the level of education required by salespeople. Today's typical buyer and seller know more about property than buyers in past years and, as a result, are more demanding.

"Two or three years ago most of our students were interested in becoming real estate licensees, but now companies like 'Albany Real Estate - The Professionals' and a few others are encouraging their staff to gain the qualification because they want highly educated salespeople who can meet the changing needs and demands of the public."

"It's forward thinking managers like Havard Daniels at Albany Real Estate who have adopted the course as a benchmark."

Albany Real Estate director Havard Daniels says the diploma is acknowledged as a benchmark of excellent practice and its graduates make highly informed salespeople.

"They know all about agency practice, legal and property matters, investment, risk management, customer service and a host of other key matters. They are the people who will form the backbone of our industry in years to come."

Already several Albany Real Estate staff have advanced qualifications which is recognised by the company with additional remuneration. Albany Real Estate is believed to be one of the few firms in the industry to do this. A total of seven Albany Real Estate salespeople are currently completing the Massey University diploma, including Frith Daniels, who has almost completed the diploma.

Stan and Lynne Royston, a husband-and-wife team selling residential and rural property at Albany Real Estate, are both in their first year of the diploma.

Mr Royston says they decided to do the diploma because real estate salespeople need to know so much these days and was actively encouraged by Havard Daniels his manager.

"I feel it's a vital qualification for real estate salespeople. It's a professional and responsible job and we're involved in what is, for most people, their largest financial investment. There's a lot at stake and we need to be able to offer our clients the very best. I would like the Institute to make the diploma compulsory for all salespeople coming into the industry."

The diploma is aimed at practitioners with experience in real estate sales who wish to obtain a formal academic qualification.

ENDS

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