A push to deepen the expertise of property agents was launched by a group of estate agents.
It is the Singapore Accredited Estate Agencies’ (SAEA) desire that every housing agent becomes a holder of at least one entry-level certificate of the Common Examination for Salesperson (CES) because it wants “to move the estate agency profession to the next lap,” according to recently appointed CEO, Tan Tee Khoon.
Currently, out of 24,000 property agents, about 6,000 at licensed agencies already have either second-tier CES certification or first-tier Common Examination for Housing Agents (CEHA).
Even though SAEA wants every property agent to be licenced, getting an accreditation will be voluntary and no penalty will be implemented, should an agent decide not to be licenced. However, according to Tan, SAEA and property agencies are certain that agents will opt to be licensed, “since it will benefit them in the long run”.
SAEA has received funding from Workforce Development Agency (WDA) for the first-tier CES accreditation, which will be used to encourage agents to have their certification.
It is said that the funding will deal up to 80 to 90 percent of the course fee, which is approximately $350, excluding examination expenses. Other agencies, like the HSR, will wholly subsidise the remaining charges.
Another plan by the SAEA will enhance the process in dealing disputes and complaints regarding estate agencies.
The process has been improved to afford better transparency for consumers, said Mr. Tan. In order for the CES and CEHA holders to upgrade into a recognised professional making, SAEA will work with CES external examiner Ngee Ann Polytechnic to bring in a Certificate in Real Estate marketing.
In November this year, the first 120-hour course will commence. Ngee Ann Polytechnic and SAEA are exerting efforts with hopes of obtaining funding from the Skills Development Fund for the six-month course, which will cost approximately $1,500.