8 Most In-Demand Skills Real Estate Agents Need in Today’s Property Market

The property market is often regarded as one of the most lucrative spaces to work in. Ultimately, there’ll always be a demand for housing, and investors across the world turn to real estate as a vehicle for making money, making it a stable yet financially rewarding sector to work in.

But like any industry, real estate has evolved, and continues to do so, meaning that estate agents must constantly adapt and learn new skills.

For those looking to carve out a career as an estate agent, we’ve compiled the most in-demand skills that you’ll need to succeed in the modern-day property market.

Core Professional Skills of Real Estate Agents

These are the core skills that you have always needed to succeed as an estate agent. In fact, you could argue that many of the following skills are needed to succeed in all areas of business. 

1. Communication & Interpersonal Skills

As an estate agent, you’ll spend a large part of your day communicating.

From leading viewings to acting as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, you’ll need to be comfortable interacting with new people and communicating in person.

On top of this, you can expect to spend a large part of your day on the phone or sending emails to relevant parties.

2. Customer Service & Relationship Management

A big part of communicating as an estate agent will involve being able to nurture relationships with different parties.

But the most important party that you’ll need to build a relationship with is interested buyers.

While buyers are mostly concerned with the property they are viewing or potentially buying, don’t underestimate the power of a close, human relationship.

3. Negotiation & Sales Expertise

Some would argue that the most important skill as an estate agent will always be the skill of negotiating.

As a bridge between buyers and sellers, negotiating is a crucial part of your job and, as mentioned above, your skills could make all the difference when it comes to closing a deal.

As you are likely to be working on a commission basis, you’ll want to successfully negotiate as many deals as possible.

4. Market Knowledge & Insight

It’s not just about professional skills; you’ll also need to understand the industry you are working in. This involves having comprehensive knowledge of property markets, especially your local market.

This includes being on top of schools in the area, transport links, pending developments, and so on. Factors like these can all influence property prices. 

Skills That Set Top Real Estate Agents Apart

Every agent will need the 4 skills that are mentioned above, but if you want to be a respected, high-earning estate agent, then you’ll need to set yourself apart from the rest.

Consider the following skills that not all agents will possess, but the top ones certainly do.

5. Emotional Intelligence & Empathy

Being able to communicate clearly and build relationships is a strong starting point when it comes to personal skills for an estate agent, but the top agents are able to build deeper connections with buyers and other important groups. You’ll need to develop your emotional intelligence and show empathy to personal circumstances so you can offer personalised solutions and advice. 

6. Continuous Learning

The real estate world has changed dramatically over time, and over the coming years, it’s expected to evolve further.

AI tools and decentralised technology are expected to disrupt the sector in the near future, and it could have a similar effect to the arrival of the internet.

Agents that were on the ball in terms of developing their own websites and using the technology to advertise properties were at a big advantage, and there will be similar opportunities in the future. 

7. Networking 

There’s an old saying that states, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, which essentially supports the power of having a strong network.

One of the differences between a standard agent and a top agent is their network.

Having access to high-net-worth individuals or successful property investors can give you a constant flow of potential buyers, so it’s definitely worth putting time into developing your network.

In this day and age, social media sites like LinkedIn are perfect for opening relationships with new individuals. 

8. Property Valuation Expertise

Whether buying or selling a property, an accurate valuation is one of the most important aspects of the deal, and being able to offer accurate property valuation expertise is a great way to set yourself apart from other agents.

Today, many people turn to desktop valuations, but many of these offer a general valuation based on average prices in the area.

When it comes to valuing property, nothing beats the expertise of an experienced individual who has bespoke knowledge of a certain area or market.

Final Thoughts

There are many skills that you’ll need in your arsenal if you want to be a top estate agent. But one of the most important things to remember is that these skills will constantly need to be updated in line with the demands of the industry.

This includes keeping on top of new trends and new technology that is impacting the real estate world.

At the same time, it’s imperative that you possess the core skills that are required to succeed as an agent.

If you’re just starting out as an estate agent in 2026, focus on attributes like negotiating, local market knowledge, and communication skills.

As your experience grows, look to add new skills to help you stand out in your field.