What does the day-to-day work of a real estate manager with a federal certificate look like?

Real estate managers look after properties and real estate on behalf of the owner. They ensure that the property generates a return and that its value is maintained or increased for as long as possible. To this end, they prepare condition analyses, calculate value-enhancing renovations or conversions and set the rents.

One of the most important tasks of real estate managers with a federal certificate is the overall management of tenants. They place advertisements, carry out viewings, select tenants, draw up tenancy agreements and are responsible for the acceptance and handover of the properties. They are the first point of contact for all questions from tenants, which means they are in close contact with their tenants.

For larger properties, they organize the caretaking by awarding contracts to external caretaking companies or recruiting their own employees. When repairs, renovations or refurbishments are due, they obtain quotes from tradesmen and place the orders. In the administrative area, they are responsible for the annual heating and ancillary cost statements and their distribution among the tenants, as well as for the dunning and collection process.

Real estate managers find jobs in companies that own real estate and manage it themselves or that manage real estate on behalf of the owner. The largest real estate managers in Switzerland include property management companies, construction and general contractors, real estate funds and pension funds, banks and insurance companies, public administrations and trust companies.

Target group and skills: For whom is the professional examination to become a real estate manager with a federal certificate suitable? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the professional examination "Real Estate Manager (BP)" are suitable for

• People with relevant professional experience who want to advance their career in real estate management
• Professionals with experience in real estate management who would like to take on more responsible tasks and/or management functions

Sales professionals should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Flexible and assertive personality
• Independent and conscientious way of working
• Very good communication skills in dealing with a wide variety of people
• Well-groomed personality with high social skills and good manners

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for real estate managers with a federal certificate:

In order to be able to sit the professional examination for real estate managers, by the time of the examination or examination registration you must

• Have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) from a three-year basic vocational training course, a high school diploma, a federally recognized commercial diploma, an HF degree, a federal professional certificate (BP), a federal diploma (HFP), a university degree or an equivalent qualification

And

• Have at least three years of professional experience (full-time) in a profession in the real estate industry since obtaining the degree

Or

• Have at least 5 years of full-time professional experience in a profession in the real estate industry

And

• Have at least two years of professional experience in a profession in the real estate industry in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein

As well as

• does not have any entries in the criminal record that contradict the purpose of the examination

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least two months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection.

Note:

• Some schools may also be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for real estate managers (BP) if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. You are then responsible for ensuring that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/application for the examination.
• At some schools it is possible to enter the 3rd semester with the course "Sachbearbeiter Immobilienbewirtschaftung edupool.ch / Sachbearbeiterin Immobilienbewirtschaftung edipoo.ch". For details, please contact the school of your choice.

Subject matter and content of the training

The learning material and the content of the preparatory courses for the federal professional examination for real estate managers with a federal certificate are compiled in accordance with the specifications of the sponsoring body of the professional examination, the Swiss Real Estate Association SVIT Switzerland.

The following topics / areas are the focus of the preparatory courses for the professional examination:

• Management of condominiums
• Management of rental properties
• Structural knowledge
• Law
• Real estate accounting
• Reporting to owner (client)
• Refurbishment and renewal
• Personnel management

Costs and financing of further training

The costs are determined by the schools and can therefore vary from school to school. You can expect the following costs for the 2-3 semester part-time real estate management course.

• Course feesBetween CHF 10'950.- and CHF 12'100.- Of this, you will receive around 50% back from the federal government on application after the examination (regardless of the result).* Note: SVIT members benefit from reduced course fees.Find out more here.Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband also benefit from a member discount of up to 10% on the course costs.You can find more information here.
• Examination feesThe examination fee is set by the sponsoring body of the professional examination and currently amounts to CHF 2,700 (as of 2023). The examination fee is paid by the candidates after admission has been confirmed.
• Extra costsSome providers charge extra costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• Duration:The real estate manager training, further training for the federal certificate lasts 2-3 semesters and is completed on a part-time basis. A two-semester course is generally only possible with the appropriate prior knowledge. You can obtain details from the school of your choice.
• Lesson times:The course takes place on different days and times depending on the school. There are evening courses and day courses. Usually on two evenings per week or all day on one weekday (Monday-Saturday) per week. For details, please contact the school of your choice directly.
• Teaching format:Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

The professional examination to become a real estate manager with a federal certificate takes place once a year, provided that at least 25 candidates (for German, 8 candidates for French and 3 candidates for Italian) meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. The examination can be taken in German, French or Italian, as desired.

At least one month before the start of the examination, the candidates receive the invitation with the examination program and list of experts.

The final examination for the federal certificate for real estate managers comprises a total of 5 parts:

1. law (written, 2 hours)

2. structural knowledge (written, 1.5 hours)

3. personnel management (written, 1.5 hours)

4. real estate management (written, 8 hours)

5. real estate management (oral, 45 minutes)

The written examination is used to test the candidates' specialist skills by means of practically relevant content. The respective examinations are based on the examination objectives in the guidelines.You can find the instructions here.

The oral examinations are primarily used to test candidates' social and methodological skills. Professional competence comes second. For this purpose, the candidates are confronted with a practical case, which in turn will be the subject of the subsequent technical discussion with the experts.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Real estate manager with a federal certificate".

• In French: "Gréant d'immeubles avec brevet fédéral / Gréante d'immeubles avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Gestore immobiliare von attestato professionale federale / Gestrice immobiliare con attestatp professionale federale"
• In English (recommendation, not a protected title): "Properts Manager with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training"