Bid to Professionalize Real Estate Industry in South Africa

IEASA Calls on Estate Agents

The South African Institute of Estate Agents (IEASA) has called on all real estate agents practicing in the country to join the institute. This is in a bid to increase the professionalism and responsibility of estate agents in the industry.

By becoming a member of the Institute of Estate Agents (or an MIEA), the agent will be assuring buyers and sellers of a degree of training and qualifications specific to their field. The members are also registered to practice as estate agents and have access to the institute’s widespread support network and services.

IEASA national president, Dr Willie Marais spoke at a recent conference and said, “The Estate Agency Affairs Board has made it plain that it wishes real estate to be regarded as a profession and just an amorphous industry. But that would presuppose that every agent belonged to a professional association – as doctors, lawyers and engineers do. And IEASA is currently the only organization recognized to fulfill that role. Consequently, the time is coming when agents who wish to be recognized as professionals will have to belong to IEASA – and those who don’t will be beyond the pale”.

Currently, only one out of every six estate agents working in South Africa are members of the institute. As the property industry evolves, training is without a doubt a cornerstone for agents who want to make a success out of their business. Dr Marais indicated that it is vital for those who are really serious about the industry to become better educated about all aspects of what their work entails.

IEASA has taken the lead when it comes to ensuring that all of its members are well informed and kept up to date on the terms and developments of property law and its affiliated practices. So if you are an agent practicing in South Africa then perhaps you should consider becoming a member of a professional institution like IEASA.

The information in this article is courtesy of HomesGoFast (“A Call to South Africa Real Estate Agents”, 6 October 2008).

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