Why Choose a Career in Real Estate?

By Jeff Wellman

A career in real estate might be the perfect job opportunity for you, whether you’re just entering the workforce or want to change vocations. Here are nine reasons why you should choose a career in real estate. 

  1. No college degree required – To begin a career in real estate, you don’t need a college degree. If you’re just starting out, you won’t saddle yourself with student loan debt. If you’re making a career change, you won’t spend several years going back to school. In most states, you just need to take a pre-licensing course which takes less than six months. The total cost to get your license is generally just a few hundred dollars.
  1. Set your own schedule – As a real estate agent, you’ll decide if you want to work part or full-time. It can even be a side hustle. You decide how many listings you want to take, and how much time you want to spend networking with potential clients.
  1. Choose your own income – As a real estate agent, your potential income is unlimited. Several factors go into how much you make. The more listings you take, the more houses you show, the more you earn. Since agents are paid on commission, the value of the listings also determines your income.
  1. Work from home – You can work from anywhere. While most agents have an office at their brokerage firm, many work from a home office, car, or even a coffee shop. You can work anywhere you can get an internet connection or use your cell phone. 
  1. Flexible dress code – The dress code depends on the market and the type of listing. You might wear a business suit if you’re selling a high-end commercial property. If your client is a family with small kids, they may be more comfortable with you if you’re dressed casually.
  1. Social interaction – If you enjoy talking with people, real estate is a great choice. You’ll spend your days getting to know your clients and their needs, hosting open houses, and networking at local events. 
  1. Help people improve their lives – A lot of people might not look at real estate as a career that helps people live a better life. However, the perfect home is life-changing. You will feel good when you help a family find just the right amount of space in a neighborhood close to their school and work.
  1. Variety in your work – No two days are the same in real estate. Some days are spent showing houses. Some days are spent at closings. There are days you’ll do paperwork and make phone calls. You won’t get bored doing the exact same tasks day after day.