Land and property valuer and auctioneer

Valuers and auctioneers give advice to people buying, selling and renting land or property.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you'll:

  • estimate the market value of land, buildings and commercial property
  • research and write detailed reports for clients about their assets
  • organise auction sales
  • market auction sales to attract potential bidders
  • manage the auction process
  • carry out business and insurance valuations
  • complete compensation assessments
  • offer investment appraisals and advice
  • keep up to date with regulations and the market

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, at a client's business or in an office.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a project manager, company partner or work as a freelance consultant.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Most relevant

  • Mathematics - Land and property valuers and auctioneers use maths constantly – calculating property values, working out rental yields, analysing investment returns, and assessing compensation figures. They also interpret market data and financial reports to advise clients on whether a purchase or sale makes good financial sense.
  • Business - Land and property valuers and auctioneers need to understand how markets work, including supply and demand, investment strategy, and how economic conditions affect property prices. They also market auction sales, manage client relationships, and many go on to run their own consultancy or become company partners.
  • Economics - Land and property valuers and auctioneers must understand how interest rates, inflation, and broader economic trends affect property markets and land values. They use this knowledge when advising clients on investments, timing sales, and forecasting how asset values might change.
  • Geography - Land and property valuers and auctioneers assess how location, land use, transport links, and environmental factors affect the value of a property or piece of land. Understanding urban development, rural land management, and how places change over time is central to making accurate valuations.
  • English Language - Land and property valuers and auctioneers write detailed valuation reports, prepare marketing materials for auction sales, and communicate complex financial information clearly to clients. Auctioneers also need strong verbal skills to manage live auctions confidently and persuasively.

Also relevant

  • Law - Land and property valuers and auctioneers need to understand property law, planning regulations, and the legal processes involved in buying, selling, and renting land. They also handle compensation assessments, which require knowledge of legal rights and obligations.
  • Design and Technology - Land and property valuers and auctioneers inspect buildings and need to understand construction methods, materials, and building condition. This practical knowledge helps them assess whether a property is well-built and identify issues that could affect its value.
  • Accounting - Land and property valuers and auctioneers carry out business valuations, insurance assessments, and investment appraisals that require an understanding of financial statements and accounting principles. Being able to read balance sheets and assess a business's financial health is important when valuing commercial property.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist distance learning courses

You'll usually need a degree or professional qualification approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to become a land and property valuer.

Relevant degrees include:

  • real estate management
  • property development and valuation
  • building surveying
  • quantity surveying and commercial management

If you have a non-accredited degree, for example economics, law or maths, you could take an accredited postgraduate qualification in surveying.

You could also do a postgraduate qualification through a company graduate trainee scheme or by learning online with the University of the Built Environment.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

You can get into this job through a chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship which has a property option.

You'll combine learning in the workplace with studying for a RICS accredited degree or postgraduate qualification at an approved university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

You could start as a surveying technician and work your way up to a valuer or auctioneer role through further training.

You can study for relevant qualifications by learning online with the University of the Built Environment.

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a land and property valuer and auctioneer from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

This page contains original content developed by Coffee With Ltd. You may share this page as a link but you must not copy the content or use it with AI tools. All rights reserved.