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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/may/04/rics-estate-agent-tests
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| Rics calls for estate agent tests | Rics calls for estate agent tests |
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| First-time buyers would feel more confident when buying a home if estate agents had to pass compulsory tests to show they are up to scratch. | First-time buyers would feel more confident when buying a home if estate agents had to pass compulsory tests to show they are up to scratch. |
| That was one of the findings of a study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), which wants to see greater regulation of estate agents to make sure first-time buyers are not, in its words, "flying blind" through the "biggest purchase of their lives". | That was one of the findings of a study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), which wants to see greater regulation of estate agents to make sure first-time buyers are not, in its words, "flying blind" through the "biggest purchase of their lives". |
| At present, agents who are not members of a professional body do not have to meet minimum competency standards. | At present, agents who are not members of a professional body do not have to meet minimum competency standards. |
| There have been signs recently that more first-time buyers are entering the market following government efforts to improve conditions and help people with smaller deposits get on to the property ladder. First-time buyers have consistently been making up around two-fifths of house purchases in recent months. | There have been signs recently that more first-time buyers are entering the market following government efforts to improve conditions and help people with smaller deposits get on to the property ladder. First-time buyers have consistently been making up around two-fifths of house purchases in recent months. |
| However, Rics said its research found that three in 10 (29%) first-time buyers said they did not have a good understanding of the sales process when buying a home. More than three-quarters (77%) believe consumers' understanding would improve if compulsory regulation of estate agents was introduced, and 89% think buyers would be better protected. | However, Rics said its research found that three in 10 (29%) first-time buyers said they did not have a good understanding of the sales process when buying a home. More than three-quarters (77%) believe consumers' understanding would improve if compulsory regulation of estate agents was introduced, and 89% think buyers would be better protected. |
| Rics said that with the market showing signs of a pick-up and "seemingly over the very worst", more must be done to ensure that agents are suitably qualified to advise their clients through the sales process. | Rics said that with the market showing signs of a pick-up and "seemingly over the very worst", more must be done to ensure that agents are suitably qualified to advise their clients through the sales process. |
| Peter Bolton King, a Rics director, said: "I would recommend that anyone who is buying or selling a house checks that their agent is a regulated member of a professional body such as Rics, and has met minimum standards of competency and understanding. | Peter Bolton King, a Rics director, said: "I would recommend that anyone who is buying or selling a house checks that their agent is a regulated member of a professional body such as Rics, and has met minimum standards of competency and understanding. |
| "By using an unregulated estate agent, people are potentially dealing with someone who doesn't understand the technicalities involved in buying a home, or their obligations to consumers." | "By using an unregulated estate agent, people are potentially dealing with someone who doesn't understand the technicalities involved in buying a home, or their obligations to consumers." |
| More than 1,000 people who had either bought a property or obtained a valuation in the past five years took part in the survey. | More than 1,000 people who had either bought a property or obtained a valuation in the past five years took part in the survey. |