Apartment hunter and training: what are the obligations?
An apartment hunter is a real estate expert who searches for a property on behalf of his client after signing a simple or exclusive search mandate. But what training (s) should he follow to do this job?
Apartment hunter and mandatory continuing education
The profession of real estate hunter is governed by the Hoguet law, which requires the possession of a “T card”. As such, the hunter is required to follow annual continuing education.
Apartment hunter: mandatory “T card” and conditions for obtaining it
We have, several times on our blog, talked about the professional transaction card called “T card” and valid for three years. Since the 1Er July 2015, it is issued by the CCI. But to obtain it, various criteria must be respected such as:
- obtaining a “diploma certifying legal, economic or commercial studies and/or [the acquisition of] professional experience [...] within a real estate agency holding a professional license” ;
- the possession, for professionals holding funds, effects or values for their clients (excluding commission and remuneration), of a “financial guarantee certificate [...]” ; - registration with the RCS certified by a K or Kbis extract (dating back less than a month)...
And since the real estate hunter must hold this card, he is concerned by mandatory continuing education.
What does continuing education consist of for the apartment hunter?
Each year, some real estate professionals are required to follow a continuing education course of at least 14 hours or 42 hours for three consecutive years of practice. Affected are:
- holders of a professional real estate agent card, also called “T card”; - persons who manage an establishment, branch, agency or office; - employees/commercial agents employed as real estate negotiators and who hold an authorization certificate provided by the holder of the real estate agent card.
Continuing education can take many forms. As for the one directly related to the profession of real estate agent, it must relate to:
- legal, economic and commercial issues; - ethics; - techniques concerning construction, housing, urban planning and energy transition.
Participants then receive a training certificate that they must submit to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).
On the side of optional courses
If continuing education is mandatory for the apartment hunter, he can also take optional training courses. The National Federation of Real Estate Hunters, for example, offers some.
Apartment hunter and FNCI certified training courses
Since 2009, the FNCI “places its trust in the independent real estate training organization Ma Formation Chasseur Immobilier [...]”. Two non-diploma courses are thus offered. The STARTER course “Becoming a real estate hunter” is intended for beginners and lasts three days. Among its objectives, we find knowledge of real estate hunting tools and techniques or the acquisition/development of the commercial qualities of the real estate hunter. The EXPERT training “Residential & Rental Real Estate Valuation” lasts two days and teaches the valuation of real estate “as close as possible to the reality of the market in order to negotiate as best as possible in the interests of [the] customers”.Other organizations offer training, do not hesitate to inquire.
Apartment hunter: what about basic training?
Before becoming an apartment hunter, what studies are recommended to pursue?
Studies identical to those of the real estate agent
As indicated on the official website of the FNCI, “There is currently no official training to become a real estate hunter”. The basic training of an apartment hunter is that of any real estate agent.It is advisable to validate a general bachelor's degree or possibly STMG (management and management sciences and technologies) .Then, moving towards specialized training in real estate, such as a BTS real estate professions, is recommended. ICH is also an option to consider. It is a higher education institution devoted to real estate. In summary, the real estate hunter must hold a “T card” and therefore undergo annual continuing education. He may also choose to take part in optional courses offered by various organizations.
