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On March 30 of this year, Poland celebrated the “Day of the Real Estate Agent,” and professionals opened their doors to offer free consultation on matters of property. This was the third such annual celebration of the profession in Poland, sponsored by the Polish Real Estate Federation (PREF).

The free consultation attracted more interest in smaller cities according to PREF. Large markets such as Warsaw and Krakow have easier access to information and counseling. One PREF agent reported as many as 24 people visiting the office with an additional 15 benefitting from telephone counseling. Questions ranged from the expected--safety of transactions on primary and secondary properties, what to look for when buying, and questions of inheritance--to the more unusual, such as whether you can sell a property without the knowledge of a spouse and the sale of property belonging to a minor. 

Most thought the “open door” event was a good one and should be done more than once a year and estate agencies should prepare in advance and publicize them in the local media.

Potential customers who took advantage of the free counseling found that transactions are not easy and obstacles may arise in the process, according to PREF spokesperson Olympia Bronowicka. She also noted that customers realize that gathering and checking of documents is not red tape, but to reduce the risk of incurring a loss. Customers find that there is far more work that goes into the transaction of a property than many understand.

The Polish real estate profession is relatively young. In contrast to Western European countries, the profession is not appreciated and the industry fights the perception that the amount of work is not commensurate with the pay. PREF believes that direct contact with a specialist can break the myth that agents take money only for contacting both sides of the transaction. 

PREF holds its 17th Annual Congress, May 24-25 in Warsaw, and is the host of the European umbrella organization CEPI's General Assembly.