Are you dreaming about being your own boss?

While self-employed estate agents have always been popular in the US, the same can’t be said about the UK.

But recent years have brought significant change in how estate agent careers can pan out. More and more companies have been developing ‘partner’ models that aim to raise the standards (and salaries!) of UK agents.

What is a Self-Employed Partner Model?

Being a partner means working with a well-established company in the property industry on a self-employed basis rather than as an employee. It’s the most common way for estate agents to become self-employed quickly and successfully.

As a partner agent, you’ll be your own boss, with the added benefit of mentorship and administrative support from the company you work alongside. There are set fees within the model, but the earning potential can be much higher for partners compared with employees. Plus, as a partner, you can set your schedule and become a specialist in a particular location or field.

Other Ways to Become a Self-Employed Estate Agent

A partner model is a popular choice for entrepreneurial-minded estate agents. But there are other ways to become self-employed within the profession.

If you’re still exploring your options, here are some other ways to become self-employed as an estate agent.

1.  Freelance

Freelance estate agents work with one or several agencies on short and long-term contracts. The responsibilities are similar to being an employee, with a few key differences. Freelancers don’t have the same rights to sick pay, paid annual leave or notice periods. But they can usually work with more than one company simultaneously.

Working freelance has many benefits, including having more control over the work you do and potentially earning a higher salary than an employed agent. However, the risks can be high. There’s no guarantee of continued work, and you won’t be able to build a specialism in a particular location since you’ll likely be moving around often.

2.  Create Your Own Estate Agency

Another way to become self-employed as an estate agent is to build your own agency from scratch. This takes time and can involve a lot of work to set up your business and become established in an area or specialist field.

If you set up in the right way, you can create a highly successful property business. But success won’t happen overnight, and you’ll need to invest upfront before you can start earning. To create your own estate agency, you’ll need to invest in things like insurance, marketing, a premise, a website, and a team of staff.

Thinking About Becoming Self-Employed?

If you’re thinking about becoming a self-employed estate agent, we’d love to talk!

At Newman’s, we believe in raising the standards of UK estate agents. That’s why our partner model has been specially designed with you in mind.

We can help you become your own boss and reap the benefits of flexible working and uncapped earning potential – without the lack of security or administrative burdens that come with working freelance or setting up your own agency.

Find out more about whether our partner model is right for you<