Course Objectives

The course will provide students with a solid understanding of the role of the estate agent, his/her duties and areas of responsibility, both with respect to the customers, the public, public authorities and the property industry. Students will receive an introduction to estate agency brokerage laws, accepted norms for brokerage and aesthetic rules for estate agents, as well as the basic requirements for practicing the estate agency trade.

Course Description

The course covers the acceptance of a commission, including surveying the property, seeking assignments, finding the necessary information, preparing for a sale, marketing, planning the sales project, advertising and possible sales documents, bidding rounds, power of attorney, credit evaluation and loan procedures. Emphasis is placed on the brokerage assignment in relation to various types of property sales, such as detached houses, owner-units, multi-ownership flats and compulsory sales. The course also concerns good estate agency practices and ethical rules at all stages of the sales assignment, as well as rules governing the practice of the estate agent profession. Stress will also be placed on relationships with the public authorities, including the Banking, Insurance and Securities Commission, the Norwegian Competition Authority, the consumer agencies, The Estate Agencies Services Complaints Board and the tax authorities.

Learning Methods

4-6 hours of lectures weekly during the autumn semester.

Assessment Methods

Final written examination, 5 hours.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean