Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Three property agents, all from the Isle of Man, have been
awarded a prestigious qualification by the National Association of
Estate Agents (NAEA), the leading membership body for estate agency
in the UK.
Local agents Philip Carter of Harmony Homes, Ian Lloyd of Cowley
Groves and Lorna Gallagher of Propertywise were amongst the
recipients of the Level 5 Diploma in Residential Estate Agency.
Highly respected within the industry, this qualification
required the estate agents to complete a project and series of
examinations totalling 15 hours which tested their knowledge of
building design, the legal aspects of estate agency as well as
specifics on the valuation process.
Ian Lloyd said: "I am delighted to have received this
qualification because it gives the general public reassurance that
they are dealing with a member of the UK's leading professional
body for estate agency."
"These kinds of qualifications help us to stay ahead of the game
and promote a high standard of professionalism," added Philip
Carter.
Lorna Gallagher said: "Unlike on the mainland, estate agents
operating on the Isle of Man now have to be registered by the
Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Achieving this diploma has enabled me
to gain Fellowship of the NAEA and at the same time, become OFT
approved."
"I want to see more agents go through the same study process
that the NAEA offers its members to ensure people working within
the property industry are fully-equipped to deal with the
intricacies involved in buying and selling a home."
The number of people taking professional estate agency exams has
increased significantly over the past decade, from 34 in 2003 to in
excess of 1,400 today. This has been helped in part, by the
increased availability of online qualifications.
Michael Jones, President of the NAEA, said: "I would like to
personally congratulate Philip, Lorna and Ian for their outstanding
achievement in receiving this qualification.
"This will enable them to uphold the highest standards of
professionalism when working with house-hunters and those looking
to sell their home - something the NAEA is keen to promote
throughout the industry. Customers can rest assured that their
property transaction is in good hands."
NAEA urges customers seeking high professional standards and
good practice to always use an NAEA licensed member for all their
property dealings.
The licence guarantees the agency is covered by required amounts
of Professional Indemnity Insurance and reflects the agents'
commitment to keeping up with industry developments - They have to
undertake 12 hours of Continuing Professional Development every
year, and are bound by the NAEA's rules of conduct.
The NAEA represents around one in three estate agents in the UK.
It has proposed to get as many members as possible licensed by June
2011. All of its members can be found by visiting
www.naea.co.uk.