Tips for Becoming a Real Estate Agent in the Netherlands

We often see people considering a career change to real estate later in life. I made the switch later in my career as well, so I’d like to share some essential tips to help you avoid unnecessary obstacles.

Tip 1: Carefully Consider Whether to Start a Diploma Program Right Away

First, understand that a diploma is not required to become a real estate agent in the Netherlands, as it’s a free profession. However, there are official diploma programs offered by institutions like OVGP, the Academie voor Vastgoed, and IPD. These programs are rigorous, require fluent Dutch, and take about four years to complete. They lead to a diploma that allows you to work at real estate offices affiliated with the NVM, the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents. These programs are excellent and make you a better agent. However, I advise against starting one immediately after deciding to become an agent, as the dropout rate in the first year is high. Many people sign up without fully understanding what they’re getting into. It’s better to first see if this profession suits you. If you’re not fluent in Dutch, these diploma programs aren’t an option for you.

Tip 2: Start with a Practical Course

I recommend starting with a practical course right away. These courses don’t offer a diploma, nor do they have exams or obligations. They teach you the basics you need to know to start working as an agent. They’re low-cost, accessible, and let you see if the profession suits you. You can find more information about the practical course from Dutch Realtor Training here. This course is also sufficient for anyone who doesn’t speak Dutch fluently but still wants to work as an agent in the Netherlands.

Tip 3: Don’t Quit Your Job Immediately

If you’re considering a career change to real estate later in life, you likely need a steady income for your living expenses. Don’t quit your current job right away. First, explore whether real estate is right for you. The practical course mentioned earlier will help, but it’s also a good idea to spend a day shadowing an agent to see what the job entails.

Tip 4: Gain Work Experience

Try to get a job at a real estate office. It can be challenging to break in, so you might need to work for free initially or on a commission-only basis. It helps to show that you’ve already completed a practical course. I started by working two days a week for free for four months. When I realized how much I enjoyed it and how quickly I improved, I gradually reduced my old job and added more days as an agent until I was eventually working full-time. If you decide to pursue a Dutch diploma in real estate, you can approach offices affiliated with the NVM. You can only work there if you can prove that you’re enrolled in an official real estate program. If you’re not fluent in Dutch or not ready for an official program, you can approach any of the thousands of non-NVM real estate offices in the Netherlands.

Tip 5: Become a Real Estate Enthusiast

There’s an enormous amount of knowledge you need to succeed as a real estate agent. Fortunately, real estate is the best job in the world, so learning about it is fun and interesting. Absorb as much information as possible—read articles, structural reports, measurement reports, old sales proposals, purchase agreements, watch videos about the profession, and so on. You’ll receive all these documents and videos when you book the Dutch Realtor Training practical course, and you can use them for life. Knowledge is everything in this profession! The more you know, the more successful you’ll be as an agent.

In Conclusion

I hope these tips help you. For even more advice, order our course and start your real estate career right away!

Good luck!