The latest Sprengnetter survey of estate agents sheds light on current attitudes towards further training in the sector. The results show that opinions on the abolition of the statutory further training obligation diverge. Despite this disagreement, there is industry-wide consensus on the importance of continuous voluntary further training. The study was initiated to gauge reactions to the planned Bureaucracy Relief Act, which aims to annul the further training obligation for estate agents.
It is clear that 49 percent of respondents view the abolition of the obligation positively or rather positively. In contrast, 47 percent expressed critical or rather critical views. This divided assessment reflects different perspectives within the industry. A quarter of agents fear a potential decline in quality without the statutory requirement, while a further 22 percent fundamentally consider the abolition a retrograde step. Irrespective of these concerns, the willingness to undertake further training is evident: 98 percent of participants intend to continue their regular professional development in the future.
Christoph Barniske, Managing Director of Sprengnetter, commented on the findings: “The survey results show that opinions on the statutory further training obligation vary. However, it is noteworthy that almost all respondents intend to continue their professional development regardless. This underscores the value qualification now holds in the real estate profession.” This statement reinforces the intrinsic motivation of many agents to maintain and enhance their professional standards.
A large proportion of agents, specifically 96 percent, plan to pursue further training in professional and legal matters in the future. Additionally, 60 percent each aim for personal development to optimise the quality of advice for their clients. For 42 percent, distinguishing themselves from the competition plays a role in their decision to pursue further training. This indicates a high demand for self-professionalism and market positioning.
Among the preferred training topics, classical specialist competencies come to the fore. Legal topics are rated as particularly relevant by 88 percent of respondents. This underscores the complexity and importance of the legal framework in the real estate business. This is followed by energy, renovation, and building standards with 63 percent, an area whose relevance is steadily increasing given current environmental regulations and energy efficiency standards.
- —Valuation and appraisal (51 percent)
- —Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (51 percent)
- —Marketing, acquisition, and sales (51 percent)
- —Data protection, anti-money laundering, and consumer protection (42 percent)
Topics such as corporate management and process optimisation (22 percent) as well as financing and financial advice (19 percent) are mentioned as secondary. The high priority of legal topics and energetic renovation reflects the current challenges and requirements for the modern estate agent. The survey confirms that the industry places a high value on maintaining and expanding competence, even without statutory requirements.
