Real estate study by mail

Press, 29 February 1984, Page 12

Real estate study by mail

In Residence Patricia Herbert PROPERTY REPORTER

Anyone wanting to learn about real estate, either for a career or for interest, may now study for a salesperson’s certificate through the Technical Correspondence Institute.

The course costs $5O and can be done entirely from the home in three to six months.

Subjects include the listing and advertising of properties, sales skills, valuation, agency practice, contract law, finance and the handling of trust money, the drawing up of sale and purchase agreements and The Real Estate Agents Act, Licensing Board, Institute and Code of Ethics. Before, those wishing to enrol for the course had to apply through a real estate agent who could guarantee them a job on completion. This is no longer necessary. Application can now be made to the Real Estate Institute’s head office in Auckland and acceptance is automatic.

The institute has not only opened the doors, it has also expanded the syllabus. Until this year, the course comprised only two papers and a two-hour examination

under supervision. It now involves 10 assignments, each requiring about three hours study. Assessment is internal and progressive; work is marked and “verified” before more is set.

While doing the course, the candidate may apply to a licensed real estate agent for a job. The agent will in turn apply to the Real Estate Licensing Board for a salesperson’s certificate of approval. This will be granted on completion provided that the board is satisfied that the applicant is of good character.

By tightening the course requirements and removing the employment guarantee criterion for entry, the institute hopes to achieve two things:

* To ensure that those coming into the industry have a more comprehensive knowledge of how it works; and * To enable interested members of the public to become better informed about the real estate business.

Suitable candidates, it suggests, would be people in their mid-20s to early 40s.