Online property training specialist, The Able Agent, has launched a general course about the structure of property – aimed at all types of property professionals, including agents.

The purpose of the course is to help guide the industry on how to understand the core elements of a property’s structure, including the impact that issues such as damp and condensation may have on sales and lettings, in order to help avoid costly delays and potential fall throughs.

Course modules contain lessons to help teams understand different types of damp, different property types, styles, and ages, as well as core information in relation to foundations, roof construction and their associated common problems.

Through this course, property professionals can understand how to identify common issues when carrying out a market appraisal, how to identify property types, styles, and ages, and how they can be used for descriptions. They can also learn about potential building defects mentioned in a survey, the different types of standard and non-standard construction used in properties, and how this will affect the likelihood of a sale. They will also learn about different types of dampness.

Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell, founder and director of The Able Agent, said: “Understanding property structure will result in selling agents who are more confident managing sales through to completion, and property managers who have a greater understanding when it comes to aspects relating to repairs and maintenance. The course has not been designed to train estate agents as surveyors, but to be confident when dealing with all property professionals.

“In this volatile market, it is vitally important for property professionals to understand how potential problems may occur with a property in order to be able to help offer expert advice to buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants – positioning themselves as trusted professional experts.

“Understanding the core structure of a property and the potential problems helps agents give the right advice on listings and valuations, prior to a surveyor carrying out a fall assessment. It can also help them to keep on top of how a sale is progressing or when and where property management repairs are required.”