Self-test course for real estate trustees with a federal diploma (HFP): Is this course suitable for me?
Test here whether a job as an expert in the real estate industry with a federal diploma suits you and whether a preparatory course for the federal higher professional examination "Real Estate Trustee" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of real estate trustees with a federal diploma look like?
Real estate trustees are professional providers of a wide range of services in the real estate industry. They work in real estate offices or administrations of all sizes, where they usually have a management function. They can also work independently in their own company.
With their broad specialist knowledge and skills in real estate, business administration, finance, law, marketing and personnel management, real estate trustees are often referred to as "all-rounders in the real estate sector". In their advisory and expert role, they deal comprehensively with the questions, concerns, wishes and needs of their clients. These can be individuals, foundations, companies or entire groups of people, such as communities of heirs.
The main tasks of real estate trustees include the management, valuation and marketing of all types of real estate, for example residential and commercial properties, condominiums, commercial buildings, hotels, villas, etc.
Real estate trustees clarify tax, legal, financial and insurance issues with the relevant authorities and carry out valuations and appraisals of properties. They are responsible for drawing up contracts, rental documents, reports and completing applications for approval from the authorities. Real estate trustees assess the necessity of maintenance measures or the need to refurbish and renovate buildings and oversee their implementation. They also take care of damage reports and monitor the costs. Furthermore, they advise their clients on the marketing of investment properties. To this end, they conduct market research to keep abreast of developments on the real estate market.
The most important activities of real estate trustees at a glance:
- Real estate management and brokerage
- Appraisal and valuation of real estate
- Buying and selling real estate
- Real estate marketing
- Concept development for corporate management
- Management of projects, teams or departments
- Market research and collection of industry-relevant data
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a real estate trustee?
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Take a look at comparable job advertisements. Perhaps you will find some that only require activities that suit you better, in which case you are in the right place with this further training.
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Target group and skills: Who is the Higher Professional Examination for Real Estate Trustees with a Federal Diploma suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The course and the higher professional examination "Real Estate Trustee" are suitable for
- for real estate professionals with a federal certificate (any specialization: management, marketing, valuation or development) with several years of full-time professional experience in a profession* in the real estate industry who aspire to a management position or would like to take the step into self-employment.
- Determined professionals with a federal diploma of a higher professional examination or a degree from a higher technical college (HF) or university or with an equivalent qualification as well as several years of professional experience in the real estate industry who would like to improve their career opportunities.
- Experienced practitioners who are thinking about starting their own business in the real estate sector.
- Ambitious professionals who hold a management position and would like to expand their skills and obtain a federal diploma.
* A list of activities that are recognized as professional experience in the real estate industry can be found at the responsible examination secretariat SFPKIW.
Real estate trustees should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- analytical and networked thinking
- confident handling of numbers
- quick comprehension
- Flexibility and resilience
- Independent and reliable way of working
- Sense of responsibility
- Customer and service orientation
- Confident and professional demeanor
- Organizational skills
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Team and conflict management skills
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot aim for the federal diploma directly. There are various ways to enter the real estate sector. Take a look at the page "Real estate" with various courses from suitable providers. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the real estate industry (for a list of recognized professions, seehere.), then look for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards. If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in this field, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in this demanding role. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization and involve less responsible and complex tasks.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to talk to experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the Higher Professional Examination for Real Estate Trustees:
In order to be able to take the Advanced Professional Examination for Real Estate Trustees, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations, be registered by the date of the examination:
- Have a federal certificate in real estate management (specializations: management, marketing, valuation, development), a federal diploma or a degree from a higher technical college (HF) or university.
And
- Have at least three years* of full-time professional experience** in the real estate industry, two of which must have been gained in Switzerland.
Or
- At least five years of full-time professional experience in a profession in the real estate industry, including at least two years in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein.
And
- Have no entries in the criminal record that contradict the purpose of the examination.
You will find out whether you have been admitted to the higher specialist examination at least four months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of a rejection.
Note: Some schools are also prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Higher Professional Examination for Real Estate Trustees if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/application for the examination. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without the intention of taking an examination. The admission requirements vary depending on the provider.
* Proof of professional experience of at least three years relates to a 100% workload and is taken into account "pro rata" for partial workloads. Self-employed persons must enclose additional documents with the application for admission (e.g. VAT number or extract from the commercial register, meaningful references from contractors and/or clients, etc.)
** The responsible examination secretariat, the Swiss Professional Examination Board SFPKIW, maintains a list of activities that are recognized as a profession in the real estate industry.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be counted as professional experience for real estate trustees, clarify your chances directly with the examination secretariat of the higher professional examination, theSwiss Professional Examination Board SFPKIW.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards (you can find a list of recognized professions for real estate trustees inhere.).
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who works in the real estate sector, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be counted as professional experience for real estate trustees, clarify your chances directly with the examination secretariat of the higher professional examination, theSwiss Professional Examination Board SFPKIW.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Search for suitable jobs with the help of professional job boards (you can find a list of recognized professions for real estate trustees inhere).
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the real estate sector, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter and subjects taught in the preparatory courses for the Higher Professional Examination for Real Estate Trustees are based on the requirements of the sponsors of the federal examination, the Swiss Association of the Real Estate Industry SVIT Switzerland and the Union suisse des professionnels de l'immobilier USPI Suisse.
The course material covers five main topics, which cover the knowledge and skills required for the higher professional examination:
- Corporate management: human resources management, financial management, legal management, corporate marketing
- Real estate management: insurance, rental agreement, tenancy law
- Real estate marketing: marketing concept, marketing activities, property sales, real estate marketing
- Real estate valuation: valuation basis, valuation methods, valuation objects
- Real estate fiduciary: client advice on legal and financial issues, portfolio management
Note: Holders of a federal certificate in real estate management (specializations: management, marketing, valuation, development) may be exempted from individual parts of the examination. Binding information can be obtained from the Swiss Examination Board SFPKIW.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire this knowledge?
If you are only partially interested in the content of this federal diploma, take a look at other training and further education courses in the real estate sector. You may find a course that suits you better due to the content taught. You will find inspirationhere.
If you have a federal certificate in real estate management and would like to know whether certain subjects of the HFP are therefore waived for you, please contact the Examination Secretariat of the Higher Professional Examination, theSwiss Professional Examination Board SFPKIW. She can give you official and binding information.
Obviously the typical areas of responsibility of real estate trustees with a federal diploma are not your thing. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs vary depending on the provider. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 2- to 3-semester in-service training to become a real estate trustee:
- Course fees: between CHF 14,000 and CHF 15,500. After the examination, you will receive up to 50% of this amount back from the federal government upon application (regardless of the result).* If you are a member of the Swiss Real Estate Association (SVIT), you will benefit from reduced conditions (CHF 13,200). Temporary employees also have the opportunity to apply for financial support for this course from "temptraining", the further training fund for the temporary employment sector.
- Examination fee: Candidates pay the examination fee of CHF 3,200 once admission has been confirmed. Note: If exemptions have been granted (at least 1 examination part), the examination fee is reduced by a flat rate of CHF 500.
- Some providers charge extra for teaching materials (printed and electronic), training documents and simulation tests. Find out directly from the provider of your choice 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 are therefore 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.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance approx. CHF 17,200 - CHF 18,700 for course fees?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
For information on financial support from the federal government, please contactthis linkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support from the federal government can be found hereLinkto the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
- The further training to become a real estate trustee has a modular structure and lasts 2 to 3 semesters.
- The course comprises between 394 and 420 lessons, which usually take place on two evenings per week or on one afternoon plus one evening per week.
- Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine further education with your family, career and free time.
- 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.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A well-organized study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you don't have that much time, get in touch with the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than three semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The Higher Professional Examination for Real Estate Trustees is held annually in German, French and Italian if at least 25 candidates (German language), 8 candidates (French language) and 3 candidates (Italian language) meet the admission requirements.
The federal examination consists of a total of nine parts, which are tested as follows:
Written examinations:
The written examinations test specialist skills by means of practically relevant content, which is tested in the form of case studies, among other things.
- Corporate management: 4 hours, written (weighting 2)
- Real estate management: 2 hours, written (weighting 1)
- Real estate marketing: 2 hours, written (weighting 1)
- Real estate valuation: 4 hours, written (weighting 1)
- Real estate fiduciary: 4 hours, written (weighting 2)
Oral examinations:
The oral examinations focus on testing social and methodological skills. In expert discussions, the candidates are confronted with a practical case, which is then the subject of the technical discussion.
- Real estate fiduciary: 30 minutes, oral (weighting 1)
- Corporate management: 30 minutes, oral (weighting 1)
Diploma thesis:
In the diploma thesis, candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. The thesis should be written on a practical topic, preferably from the candidate's own company. The thesis must meet the formal requirements regarding scope, structure and content, which are set out in guidelines issued by the examination board.
- Diploma thesis: prepared in advance, written (weighting 1)
- Presentation of the diploma thesis: 45 minutes (15 minutes presentation, 30 minutes expert discussion), oral (weighting 1)
Diploma and title:
Graduates of the higher professional examination receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Certified Real Estate Trustee".
In French: "Administratrice diplômée de biens immobiliers / Administrateur diplômé de biens immobiliers"
In Italian: "Fiduciaria immobiliare diplomata / Fiduciario immobiliare diplomato"
In English: "Property Fiduciary with Advanced Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training"
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for the federal certificate?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice or the sponsor of the higher professional examination, the Swiss Real Estate AssociationSVIT Switzerlandand the Union suisse des professionnels de l'immobilierUSPI Suisse. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
If you are not confident about taking the federal professional examination, you may not be left empty-handed after successfully completing the preparatory course: if you have successfully completed all modules, some schools will award you a school certificate.
Here are someGeneral success factorson the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination but would like to complete the course, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school or the body responsible for the higher professional examination, theSwiss Association of the Real Estate Industry SVIT Switzerlandand Union suisse des professionnels de l'immobilierUSPI Suisse. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
No, the course for the Federal Diploma in Real Estate Trustees (HFP) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Real estate trustee (HFP) is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a real estate trustee (HFP) does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training to become a real estate trustee (HFP) is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
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