Forum: Transaction numbers alone may not be best measure of property agents’ competence
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As a licensed real estate salesperson, I welcome the Government’s efforts to strengthen professionalism within Singapore’s real estate industry (Refresher exam for property agents with fewer than 3 deals in 3 years amid industry review, July 28). Consumers deserve competent, ethical and well-informed property agents.
One aspect of the licence renewal framework deserves further discussion. Salespersons who do not meet the minimum number of recognised transactions within each three-year registration period will have to pass a refresher examination before renewing their registration.
Regular practice may help practitioners remain familiar with current regulations and market conditions. But are transaction numbers the best measure of professional readiness, and does evidence support this approach?
The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) has cited consumer expectations that agents should transact regularly. While that is important, is there evidence that agents with fewer transactions are more likely to provide poorer service or face disciplinary action? If CEA has conducted analyses demonstrating such a link, publishing them would help practitioners and consumers better understand the rationale behind this policy.
I am also concerned about the wider implications for Singapore’s workforce.
Real estate has long provided opportunities for people rebuilding their careers after retrenchment, parents returning to work after raising children, and older Singaporeans who wish to remain economically active. These people have already shown their commitment by passing the Real Estate Salesperson examination, maintaining their registration, and completing mandatory Continuing Professional Development every year.
Professionalism should be judged primarily by competence, ethical conduct, regulatory compliance and continuous learning, not transaction numbers alone. If the objective is simply to keep practitioners current, enhanced refresher training may achieve that goal more effectively than introducing another pass-or-fail examination, which could create unnecessary barriers and anxiety for mature workers and those pursuing second careers.
Lisa Khoo Wei Soon
