Is Getting A Real Estate Career Worth It?
The real estate industry is vast, varied and hugely important to people across the country and around the world.
Because of all this, it offers an attractive career path to those who have a passion for property and a willingness to work hard.
Not everyone will be convinced that getting a career in real estate is worthwhile, so here is a look at some of the main considerations to help you make a decision.
Qualification & accreditation is straightforward and swift
Some careers require you to train for years on end before you can earn your first paycheck. Thankfully this is not the case in the world of real estate, as qualifications and licensing can take just a few weeks to complete.
For example, if you want to get a real estate license in California, you just need to complete 135 hours of training before applying. This will bring you up to speed on the basics you need to know to work as an agent, and then give you an opportunity to sit an exam to prove your prowess.
The main issue to consider is that you need to get a license to sell real estate in each state you operate in, so if you plan to move across state lines in the future, re-applying will be necessary. This is because property laws differ from state to state, which obviously impacts agents as well as buyers and sellers.
Demand for real estate workers is consistent
The property market definitely has its ups and downs, yet there is always going to be demand for agents and brokers, because customers prefer to have professionals on their side to help with such important transactions.
You not only need to be able to steward clients through the tricky process of buying or selling a property, but also provide them with any other information and advice they need. This is particularly important if they are relocating over a long distance and need local knowledge to choose where to look for homes, for example.
In short, real estate is more resilient to the advances of technology than other industries, and there will be a need for flesh and blood agents for the foreseeable future.
Flexibility is part of the job
More people are looking for jobs that give them more flexible use of their time and more power over their roles, and real estate careers provide both of these in spades.
Clearly, people who are self-motivated and willing to make connections with clients are better suited to this type of work as a result. If you like the sound of being your own boss, or of working as part of an organization that does not expect you to be tethered to your desk for the same 9-5 shift until you retire, then real estate will tick all the boxes.
There are caveats to take into account, of course, such as the fact that you may be reliant on commission bonuses to make up for modest salaries, especially in entry-level positions. Likewise, the irregularity of the hours might create disruption, although this is far from the norm.
It pays to be a people person
As we have already hinted at, most careers in real estate require a lot of contact time with customers. If you are a people person and you love to spend your days communicating and collaborating, then this is certainly a career path worth considering.
Of course, for every house viewing, you attend and meeting you host, there will be a lot of time spent wrangling paperwork. Your social skills will therefore only get you so far in this business, as you will need to be detail-oriented and unafraid of filling out forms and crunching numbers.
Agents and brokers are not the only ones who work in real estate
Even if you do not want to become an agent or a broker, there are other careers involved in the real estate biz that can be just as satisfying and rewarding.
Everything from managing the digital marketing for an agency to providing graphic design and content creation to companies in this sector is an option, so do not be dissuaded by the most conspicuous roles available.