Have I chosen the wrong career?

rosmoke

Have been looking at houses and almost every estate agent (20 out of 21) had luxury premium cars newer than 2020 like bmw x6, 730, jaguar suv.

These cars are over 50k while some of them over 70k and I'm trying to understand if this profession really pays that well or the real estate company provides them with luxury cars?

Yes, I know having a 70k car doesn't mean much as it can be financed but literally every agent to afford them it's a bit fishy, no?

I'm a Software Engineer earning slightly above average but I'll change careers tomorrow if it pays better.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058231588/have-i-chosen-the-wrong-career

But would you be any good at it? You need to be a people person and comfortable talking BS for hours…. Not your typical software engineer. On the other hand a good software engineer with salary and royalties should not complain either.

There are lots of well paid people in every industry, including IT/software, and lots of poorly paid. Could be as you said, the cars could be leased by the agency, or they just might be very good at their jobs. If you think you can be that guy, go for it.

Phil.x

That's why you don't know who, if anyone you're bidding against, bunch of crooks, all bidding should be at the property in person with ID and employment details, that way the estate agent cannot include fictional bidders.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589463#Comment_118589463

Yes, like the scene from The Field, that’s the way to go alright.

Everybody can get flashy cars, PCP finance has allowed that.

Wildly Boaring

Back in 2014 I bought a house.

Estate agent was driving a €2000 car.

Some of them may be doing well today. And may have struggled to put food on the table from 2009 to 2016.

Best of luck to them in the current market

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058231588/have-i-chosen-the-wrong-career

Weird upside down world. As a software engineer you can be pulling in 600 to 800 per day contracting if you wished to. Why would you be looking to upend your career for something you know nothing about.

SteelyDanJalapeno

A software engineer should easily be able to afford a 50k car these days, we're hiring grads in Cork for about 45+50k. +20% if you're in Dublin, good money

Cal4567

It's cyclical. Their ability to earn moves with the market. I would not have wanted to be an agent from 2008 to 2015.

rosmoke

True 45k grads in Dublin.

Maybe I'm totally unaware of PCP and I'm in the looking for a house stage coupled with saving everything that I just don't see it possible.

Contractor rates are high indeed but you don't have the stability and security of having a job next month.

I'm wondering what kind of salaries estate agents get?

They are unable to give any information like when it was built, garden size, etc. In almost all cases they were there just to open the door and lie.

Heck I'd even take a pay cut if most of it means opening doors.

I know a good few software engineers, principals, contractors and they don't have flashy 70k worth cars.

rosmoke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589497#Comment_118589497

Is this actually true though?

There are way less transactions I estimate than in that period since there's way way way less houses for sale now.

They would've earned a smaller percentage but had x2 or x3 more transactions so it feels like it balances out.

Cal4567

A lot were let go from 08/09 because of the downturn.

Diemos

Grass always looks greener, most EA's are like sales reps, most customers expect a flashy car, if they see a banger they assume you are untrustworthy.

I'd be shocked if the majority of the cars you see are not heavily in debt (either company or personal)

As for Techies (sweeping generalisation here, but as a techie I know a lot of folks in the industry) not driving flashy cars, techies are by their nature usually practical and have more sense than to get heavily in debt on a depreciating asset.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589693#Comment_118589693

To be an estate agent in Ireland, you need to have a PRSA license. Info how to get one here:

A lot of folks would have gone the education route, so done a Cert/Degree which covered the ECTS credit requirements.

http://www.psr.ie/en/psra/pages/what_we_do_new_application

Padre_Pio

Estate agent is a customer-facing job.

Suits and nice cars would be expected. That said, there's an EA office near me and I'm fairly sure they share a car that's owned by the company or the owner.

Anyone can buy a 70k car if they want. Just PCP up and pay it off for the rest of your life.

rosmoke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118595804#Comment_118595804

That must be it, they're most likely shared.

Find it hard to believe all estate agents afford 50-70k cars.

Although I suspect they are playing with bids there's no way all are doing that so sharing it explains it.

Last weekend there was a 25'ish youngster driving a brand new x6, that was the tip of the iceberg for me haha

djan

Regardless of EAs owning cars or not. The EA doesn't really benefit of creating fake bids as it merely prolongs the sale process and they only get a couple hundred extra at most or nothing if on a fixed price fee. It's all about getting the sale wrapped up ASAP getting commission and moving on to the next.

Also if you don't have kids and can get by with shared accom, it's not too difficult to out away a decent chunk of money aside per month for a 50k pcp car. Financially makes no sense but is doable.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589126#Comment_118589126

https://youtu.be/hNuu9CpdjIo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589493#Comment_118589493

50k car on a 50k salary??

What the hell am I doing with my money if I have an 8 year old Volvo on more tech money than that?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589705#Comment_118589705

You reckon two or three times more houses we’re selling during the recession than now? I would be surprised if that were the case.

Always seems to be those who didn’t get the property who claim the EA made up bids, never understood that.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589463#Comment_118589463

You know what you are talking about!!! They do not go to college to learn to be crooks, they learn it at the kitchen table from the parents. It is a closed shop. You might get in the door as a junior associate or receptionist but really it is a class and club job. If you arent wearing the School or club tie, you arent getting in. However if you are from the right background and are great at sales, and a complete ballsack you will go far.

"Being complete thick as sh1t and being a pathological liar, has never held anyone back in the property industry".

Would you comfortable is squeezing every single Euro out of an already cash strapped young couple in the final child bearing years and then laughing at them down in the golf club because they bought a house they could barely afford because you needed to make a few hundred in extra commission?

The good news is with UN Agenda 2030, all property will be virtually state controlled (Charity/council/REITs) and these chinless wonders will be surplus to requirement. The course is simple two year part time course. Its really a game of overselling and Gazumping prices with fake bids. I couldnt go to sleep at night knowing I was doing that damage to society.

Ubbquittious

We are in very strange times. If you are trying to buy things you are told everything is expensive, there is huge demand, everyone is so busy

If you try to sell something or get a job it's the opposite. People are trying to slow you down and find fault with you, even though there are shortages of employees they are slow to take people on. Even when I put a house up for rent a few months ago I had lots of enquiries but most were a waste of time.

All I can gather from it is productivity has slowed down an awful lot due to material shortages. People are still doing a tiny bit of work but expecting to be paid well over the odds for the little bit they do and lots are content with doing very little. I am not a "get everyone into the office" enthusiast but a lot of the WFH crowd don't put in an honest days work at all.

rosmoke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597566#Comment_118597566

I agree, in the end corporations reap what they sow.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597561#Comment_118597561

When you say “all property will be virtually state controlled”, do you mean in a virtual world? Or do you mean the State will spend trillions buying up private property, then either give it or rent it to its citizens?

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597760#Comment_118597760

No, have a look at how the REITs are buying up whole housing estates, forcing many working professionals who should be buying into renting. Then there are the local authorities that are buying houses instead of building new ones. Then there are NGO's that are housing people with no prospects of employment or low wages at the expense of the middle class. Check out the massive inflation paired with the salary stagnation over the last 15 years. The future isnt looking bright for home owners for the future.

Ray Palmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597561#Comment_118597561

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-wef-idUSKBN2AP2T0

No 2030 is not going to change the nature of home ownership. Governments will not have the right to seize people's property and it is also unconstitutional here. You are living in a dream world if you think world economics is going to be completely transformed within 8 years. Land ownership is vital for how the world works. Having a right does not mean you force people already exercising that right lose that ability.

It is quite laughable to suggest it will change anything significant

Claw Hammer

Begrudgery never got anyone a house.

whippet

a relation of mine would be a multimillionaire - self made and drives a €40,000 VW .... what car someone drives isn't a solid barometer of what they earn or are worth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118589693#Comment_118589693

Somebody I know very experienced in the tech sphere seems to be permanently living hand to mouth, puzzles me. I suppose there’s ranges of earning, different types of contracts etc in all spheres of work.

rosmoke

List of lies continues:

Today asked when a house was built and was told 10 years later than the actual year ..

Last weekend was told garden is south facing, I showed him my compass said north ..

Legalised rubbery.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118598952#Comment_118598952

Oh you think it will happen just like that over night? Big ole Flash and the Charities/REITs/Government take over the shop. Loads of people lost their homes in the last recession and will never get on the property ladder again, many were conned into signing over with no fuss. Then there is Taxation, I got a gift sum from a very generous uncle, immediately the bank advised me to pay 30% of it to the taxman and would have taken me out of position of buying the house I wanted and at best would have allowed me to buy a two bedroom apartment in a regional town. Taxation in the West and inflation are out of control. The parallels with Rome are uncanny.

When a Teacher/Nurse/Garda have trouble securing a mortgage, then your society is in trouble. I am not suggesting that everyone should have the ability to buy a home but there are too many people in Ireland struggling to get on the ladder while other parties are getting accommodation for next to nothing or people who do not contribute to society.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118602236#Comment_118602236

People in receipt of social housing are not the problem.

The government scrapping local authorities own building programs is, along with the sale of council stock to nouveau middle classes during the tiger years

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118602236#Comment_118602236

The bank advised you correctly on gift/inheritance tax. If you failed to pay associated liability, there is a risk that Revenue may eventually come looking for it and you will be in deep doodoo.

It has always been difficult for middle income earners to buy in expensive property markets like Dublin, this is not a new phenomenon and is not exclusive to Ireland.

While Governments may purchase properties for social housing, this is a tiny percentage of all housing in private ownership, there will never be time when Governments will seize all properties which are privately owned, nor be able to afford universal compulsory purchase. That is just pie in the sky stuff.

Taxation is necessary, without it services such as healthcare would not be possible, yes we have high taxation, a lot of it indirect, such is life.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118602395#Comment_118602395

We sorted it out a different way but 30% tax is a killer when tax has already been paid on it before. Is it any wonder smart people have off shore accounts and are leaving Ireland. They are killing us with taxation. Blackrock and another investment company have been buying up 3&4 bedroom properties world wide.

I never said Taxation wasnt necessary, I said it was excessive. I have no problem with paying my fair share of tax but when you see how it is willfully wasted, then you start asking questions.

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118597467#Comment_118597467

Disagree with your first paragraph - estate agents benefit greatly from upwards trending property prices. That is undeniable. And while the percentage they would get for a few hundred or a couple of K increase in a property price, if this price influences the price of another in the area or more than one in the area, the income overall increase.

The market is and always has been rife for skull duggery (See posts here or any number of threads on here) or one type or another and if EA's are adament that fake bids and the link don't happen, the should do something a bit stronger than what is in place at the moment on it.

A lot of EA's that I have come across are relatively small operations with each EA usually having a good bit of skin in the game so they see a lot of commission from the sale. I'd expect they are doing well and want to let people know!

The "younger" in the group are probably on a wage with a small commission with perhaps a company car which explains a lot of the motors out there.

Ardillaun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118600374#Comment_118600374

You’re one of those awkward customers.

Ardillaun

Being an EA would be a nightmare for me. You’re under constant pressure to sell and the temptation to tell outright lies must be enormous. I’d manage to keep that smiley face on until the hangovers became unbearable. Three months tops.

rosmoke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118602593#Comment_118602593

Why? Cause I wanna know what year it was built? lol

Last weekend a youngster was upfront at least and said he doesn't know anything, I'd rather that instead of lies.

Temptation to lie? Not for me, can't be playing games with someone's future.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118603791#Comment_118603791

You got an estate agent to admit they didnt have a clue? Either you are lying or the young lad had no imagination. In that situation what you do is make up stuff and add in jargon and legalise to really confuse them and made up building regulations. If you look like getting caught, lay down a thick layer of lies and then drive on over it.

The best story I have is being told I was bidding against a doctor on a house priced circa 230k. Why would a doctor be bidding on a €230k house? They only have 2-3 year contracts, if they were buying they should be able to afford a better house than that, I never met a modest doctor. Houses as investments as buy to lets are dead losses with 50% tax.

Told the Estate Agent to get bent and have someone else call me from the office. Then told them I was looking at other houses. You do know you are only allowed bid on one house at a time? The problem was the other auctioneer was gazumping twice as fast as the other guy. If gazumping was a sport Ireland would have the first three placings in the Olympics.

This country is as corrupt as any country in Africa.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118605966#Comment_118605966

Wouldn’t have thought gazumping is a big thing in Ireland, are you sure you know what it is?

Your Doctor assumptions are quite something.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058231588/have-i-chosen-the-wrong-career

Software engineers would enjoy far more respect though than estate agents and auctioneers. The latter are usually at or near the bottom of any survey of the public's on professional honesty and integrity.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118606064#Comment_118606064

Well I thought we agreed the house had to be sold at the end of the week, and what ever the price was at the end of the week was the price sold. I said at the end of the week, well its the end of the week and I am with the leading price lets wrap up. Low and behold a doctor in the hospital suddenly appears and they want an extra 2k on my over generous bid. There was miscommunication with myself and my wife and I thought we were not buying it and told the Estate agent so. He lost the head with me and told me I was playing with peoples emotions. Well I had heard it all now. "Shure dont you have the doctor to buy it?". We verbally agreed a date and a price and the Estate agent pulled back. Isnt that Gazumping?.

I have 6 first cousins medical doctors and socialise with three others that I am not related to, none of them are modest. Infact one cousin had 11 houses at the end of the last recession and they ALL got taken away from him and Revenue were after him. I didnt say they werent nice (some are some aren't) but modesty isnt their fortitude.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118606394#Comment_118606394

That’s not gazumping.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118606488#Comment_118606488

Sounds close enough to a con to me. There was a time agreed and false bids were added.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118606510#Comment_118606510

It isn’t, and what makes you so sure there were fake bids? Doctors don’t buy small houses and don’t stay longer than three years is quite a unique reason for suspecting bids are fake.

Wheety

Are you a good software engineer? Do you have the experience? You could be on 100k+ if you are.

rosmoke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118605966#Comment_118605966

Young lad said he was sent by another agent that was handling the sale of the house, he was there just to literally open the door.

Yeah, most of them would just make up stuff.

Think the best experience I had was with elderly EA, they would just let you do your thing, be honest with saying they don't know and not make up stuff. Always saying that I can send an email so fair play.

SupaCat95

It just doesnt sound right and your instincts are usually right when you are dealing with scum like Estate agents. Its a tactic to get me to bid harder against the "Doctor". Also he lost the head with me for suggesting I was pulling out when he already had the doctors bid. Also isnt that against GDPR rules to disclose the other bidders profession? Then I asked what if he was Irish to test the waters, he said that wasnt important. Then I asked why did he bring up the doctors profession if it didnt matter. (hint there was no doctor).

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118607395#Comment_118607395

GDPR? What are you on about?

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118607110#Comment_118607110

My wife had that similar experience. Met by the young estate agent, "I am just back from holidays and why is this place still on the books?". Firstly the stairs was loosely hanging onto the wall. For those who dont know (because I didn't), a stairs isnt as simple as ordering a new one from the carpenter and fitting it. It may not settle into the wall. When the estate agent was asked questions "well it is in the brouchure or outright lied about it". Needless to say we were out.

We had a similar experience with another elderly estate agent. He came in and waited in the kitchen said take your time and when you are done come down and I will answer questions. Problem was the house was out of our budget and he didnt have anything that we wanted afterwards. But when we sell we will be getting that guy to sell.