Commercial Agency
Commercial agents handle empty property used by businesses for a variety of purposes. Traditionally these include shops ranging from high street stores to village stores and retail parks, offices, warehouses and factories. They can also extend to building land, property for conversion to business use and specialised areas such as quarries, amusement parks and forests.
The opportunity for commercial agents is vast. Not only does an agent act for the owner who wants to sell or let the property but can act for the buyer or tenant. In addition, agents are employed to agree adjustments to the rental or terms for a new lease for an existing tenant.
Property is a major cost to businesses and they need to make sure that accommodation is of the right size and in a suitable place for their needs. Often an agent will be asked to provide advice on all aspects of a client's property needs.
Commercial agents need a wide range of business skills to be able to understand the aims and objectives of a client. A thorough knowledge of Planning Law and Landlord and Tenant Law is needed to be able to guide clients successfully.
Business Transfer
Business Transfer is a specialised branch of estate agency that involves the sale of existing businesses. These cover a wide range of trades including high street shops, post offices, convenience stores, newsagents, public houses, restaurants and hotels. In addition, an agent may be called upon to handle the sale of much bigger businesses in engineering, manufacturing and wholesaling.
Visiting clients and seeing what goes on behind the scenes in a successful business makes the job very interesting. Every day an agent will learn something new.
The agent is responsible for arranging a sale of what could be the client's income and home. The transfer can involve a wide range of factors and a client will need guidance on matters such as taxation, employment law and property law. A good working relationship can develop and the resulting sale allow an owner to retire or move on to another business.
Property Auctioneering
The sale by auction of property is an extension of the role of the estate agent. Many firms of estate agents do not undertake property auctions themselves, but in most regions there are firms who offer this specialised service to those wishing to sell.
For many the lasting impression of the auctioneer will have been formed by a fleeting visit to a general salesroom or a livestock market or from a clip on television. Those who have become auctioneers have discovered that the challenge of organising and masterminding an auction sale is not only highly rewarding for the auctioneer but also, and more importantly, for the vendor client.
A substantial and steadily increasing number of homes, commercial, industrial and investment lots are routinely sold by auction today.
As an auctioneer you will be asked to advise on the disposal of a wide range of property. The first task is to decide whether or not that particular lot is a suitable subject to offer under the gavel and at the same time to explain in detail to the seller the complete process of auction. This involves not only a detailed knowledge of the market place but also the law procedure and process.
Whatever type of estate agency you decide on starting the main skill you have is buckets of personality, followed by patience, doggedness and the ability to make a person or company see the potential of a property you're selling.