All You Need To Know About Real Estate Agents in Ghana & How To Become One

Do you want to become a real estate agent in Ghana? Ghana is an excellent destination for a real estate career. The Ghanaian real estate market is booming, licensing is relatively simple, and this profession provides a great deal of freedom and flexibility. This article will discuss all you need to know about dealing with real estate agents in Ghana. If you are not from Ghana then this will give you some insight into how to work with agents in Ghana to get maximum value. Talk to a professional today.

Who are real estate agents?

Real estate agents are qualified professionals who are familiar with local laws governing the purchase and sale of real estate. They have a thorough understanding of market trends in the area, as well as what reasonable pricing is for the various properties their clients want to buy or sell. 

Real estate brokers serve as a broker or middlemen between two parties looking to buy or sell a home. Real estate agents have the knowledge and experience to either promote a property and sell it for the best price and terms or to find a property that meets a client’s needs and purchase it for the best price and terms.

What is the real estate business in Ghana?

Property transaction rates in Ghana can be costly, yet in comparison to other African countries, the total costs of buying and selling a home are fair.

According to the Global Property Guide, “Residential property prices are around US$2,200 per sq. m. The rental market in Accra is relatively large with 37.5% of all households renting (only 22% for Ghana as a whole). Only about 40.4% of households in Accra claim ownership of their houses (57.4% for Ghana), while another 20.5% live rent-free (19.5% for Ghana)”.

 How can I be an agent in Ghana?

Let’s have a look at the essential steps to being a successful Ghanaian real estate agent. Having knowledge of this would help you easily navigate the industry and serve as advice to clients on dealing with agents in Ghana, especially when starting out.

Take courses

To become a real estate agent you will need to have knowledge and understanding of the real estate market as well as the purchasing process to be able to guide your clients to a successful purchase. We would recommend this book that was written by Kekeli Buckner. Kekeli’s journey in the real estate industry is intertwined with his unconventional background in marketing. Armed with a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and a keen eye for market trends, he brings a fresh perspective to the world of luxury property sales. ‘The Luxury Agent Blueprint‘ stands as a testament to Kekeli’s dedication to sharing his expertise and empowering aspiring real estate professionals. In this comprehensive guide, Kekeli combines his extensive industry knowledge with practical insights to provide readers with a roadmap to success in the luxury real estate market of Ghana.

Obtain the Necessary License

In the real estate sector, there are a lot of unlicensed agents. If you want to manage a profitable real estate agency in Ghana, you’ll need to obtain the necessary permits.  Joining the Ghana Real Estate Professional Association (GREPA) is a great place to start. This provides you with a leg up over the country’s unlicensed real estate agents like getting higher commissions or access to lucrative real estate deals.

Getting my real estate license in Ghana

After meeting all qualifications, the regulatory Council and Board of the real estate sector are required to license anyone who intends to practice as a real estate agent or broker. 

Before a real estate agent or broker may be licensed, the council will conduct background investigations, which will include thorough background checks and an inspection of the applicant’s home. 

Once all checks have been completed, the council will issue a license to an applicant within 60 days. The authorization will be valid for one year and renewable. Real estate professionals and brokers must have insurance coverage when applying for a license, as it is not transferable.

The people who can apply for a license are divided into three categories:

• The first are lawyers who are enrolled with the Ghana Institute of Surveyors or valuation and estate surveyors who are licensed by the General Legal Council to work in Ghana.

•  Persons who are not residents of Ghana but are licensed real estate brokers or agents in their home country make up the second group. 

• Persons who have not been specified above but have completed a qualifying examination administered by the Board fall into the third category. 

A Tax Identification Number is required for all applicants (TIN). A license shall not be awarded to anyone who has been convicted of a crime involving fraud, criminal conduct, or dishonesty.

Become a part of a large brokerage firm

This is the only way you can gain practical experience in the field. 

• Choose a large brokerage firm with a proven track record of successfully selling homes and earning commissions. 

• Prepare to offer your services for free to establish a positive working connection with the brokerage firm. 

Each brokerage operates differently, for example, in terms of support services and marketing strategies. Most, however, have similar hiring and employment practices for licensed real estate salespeople. A regular fee paid by the salesman to the brokerage is the most prevalent aspect. Franchise fees, desk fees, brokerage fees, or a combination of these can be charged.

Prepare to offer your services for free to establish a positive working connection with the brokerage firm. Even in future endeavours, this partnership will be important. For example, if you’re having trouble selling a house, you can turn to them for help.

Acquire Certification

Receiving a certificate for the business by registering is a wonderful idea. The Ghanaian government is currently putting in place regulations that will grant all real estate agencies licenses to operate and regulate the services they give to customers. There are a variety of organizations in which your company can participate. These organizations work for the well-being of their members, and belonging to one gives you the authority to govern your firm.

Real Estate Courses in Ghana

Real Estate/Property Development & Management, Real Estate Marketing, online review courses to become licensed as a Professional Real Estate Broker, and many other subjects are covered in this list of Real Estate training courses in Ghana.

In Ghana, there are only a few universities that offer real estate-related programs. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, UBIDS, University of Professional Studies, Kumasi Technical University, and Central University are the institutions in question.

Get an Office Space

There’s a sense of professionalism that comes with owning an office space, which can help you negotiate lucrative transactions in the correct environment. If you don’t have enough money to buy office space for yourself, you can share quarters with other firms and split the rent.

It doesn’t matter if the agent has a physical office in an office building as long as clients may reach him or her whenever and wherever they choose.

Have A Financial Plan

To become the best agent you can be, you need to spend a lot of your time as a realtor closing deals. You consult with your customers, conduct market research, and create materials. However, it is critical to devote time to learning about financial planning for realtors. It’s also critical to put money into your company. The funds will be used to purchase certificates, business cards, and marketing materials. You should be able to estimate your cash flow once you’ve been in business for a while.

 When you’re first starting, however, you should set away significantly more money than you believe you’ll need. The financial plan you end up generating should also include multiple options for keeping the firm afloat while you grow your client base. The commissions you get from selling homes determine your earnings in the real estate company, which is why financial planning is critical.

Publicity

You need to get the word out about your services now that you’re in business, and you need to do it on a variety of channels (online and offline).

Create a portfolio that includes going to events where you can meet possible clients.

Put information about the houses you’re looking for buyers for on your website, along with photos and videos of the properties. Such information might also be provided on internet listing platforms. You can also ask for recommendations; have family and friends present you to those who will need your services. If you give exceptional service, you will obtain more referrals from other clients.

Why you should become a real estate agent in Ghana 

Are you debating whether or not obtaining a real estate license is worthwhile? If you have considered changing careers, earning more money, and having more time, freedom, and flexibility at work then real estate may be the right choice for you check out some of the reasons why you should consider getting into this career

It does not require a university certificate

One of the key advantages of becoming a real estate agent is that it does not necessitate obtaining a costly academic degree. This career path is perfect for people who find college to be expensive, time-consuming, and socially unpleasant, real estate education is affordable, quick, and can be completed in your own time from the comfort of your own home or office.

This can save you money and time, allowing you to focus your efforts on growing your real estate firm. While obtaining a formal qualification is not required, it may help you stand out from other real estate salespeople who lack the same credentials.

You get to make your schedule

Some real estate agents who work for a company may have a predetermined schedule, which means they come in and leave at particular times. On the other hand, many independent real estate agents can choose their own hours. So if you would like to take a week’s vacation or a day or two off, or perhaps you’d like to work 10 hours a day to get ahead and extend your market. It’s entirely your decision! You’ll have more flexibility and a better work-life balance with this level of autonomy.  

You Decide Your Income

It’s critical to understand a real estate agent’s market worth and set your charges accordingly to ensure that clients can afford your asking price. You have direct control over your annual income with real estate because, unlike salaried work, you have complete control over your earnings. This will depend on how much work you put in and how committed you are to becoming successful.

As a result, real estate is one of the best career paths for entrepreneurs and people with a strong work ethic. You may be able to improve your charges as your reputation in the sector grows, reflecting your value, skill, and experience. You have the freedom to choose your own pay rates if you work for yourself.

Develop your skillset

 Because you interact with clients regularly, you will have to improve your communication and interpersonal skills. Working as a real estate agent provides you with the opportunity to learn new skills or improve on those you already have. As a real estate agent, you may also learn skills like organization, how to properly manage your time, negotiation, persuasion, problem-solving, The ability to think critically, planning and so many others 

No strict dress restrictions 

 In the real estate sector, you have the opportunity to carve out your own niche and develop a personal brand. Many real estate brokers, particularly those who operate for themselves, do not have to adhere to a rigorous dress code. To be clear, appearance counts in a competitive industry, and knowing what type of attire is appropriate for the customer you want to attract is critical. However, you are free to bring your own personal style.

So, by now I’m sure you know what to do or how to deal with agents in Ghana, even as collaborators.

Over the last few years, Ghana’s real estate market has become very dynamic, and it is now considered one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. The selling of properties in Ghana’s real estate business has increased exponentially over the years. Hopefully, this article would be handy in dealing with agents in Ghana and also on how to become a real estate agent in Ghana.