Real estate agents come from many different backgrounds and ages. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) finds that 95% of agents chose a career in real estate after leaving one or two previous careers—usually in business, finance, or management.
Today, the average age of new real estate agents is near 50. Often, older people choose real estate as a way to ease into retirement or to supplement their retirement income. Younger people tend to go into the business because they are following in their family’s footsteps or they are intent on building a career in a field they love, as well as one that pays well.
What are the main motivations for people choosing real estate and why is it such a great career?
A passion for real estate
A top reason people explore real estate is because they are fascinated by it. They get a thrill from touring properties and imagining how to transform spaces and build lives within them. They can readily imagine how to increase property values through a few well-chosen upgrades. The idea of doing that as a living is exciting because it taps into the dream most of us have, which is to earn a living doing what we naturally love. And, for many, they imagine how gratifying it will be to help others make smart real estate decisions.
Diverse career paths
The more experience you get as an agent, the more you’re likely to earn. Additionally, you can parlay your experience in any number of directions, such as property management, real estate investing, corporate real estate departments, or a shift from residential to commercial property sales. If it turns out you don’t enjoy working face-to-face with customers every day, you can switch gears and enter the appraisal profession. By paying close attention to alternate career paths and accumulating the skills you need, you open up more opportunities for advancement.
Greater independence
Maybe you’re a new parent and you want the flexibility to work from home, be your own boss, and develop a work schedule that is tailored to family life. Real estate can provide that. Maybe retirement is creeping up on you and you want to supplement your income while enjoying the camaraderie that comes from working with other real estate professionals. Real estate can provide that, too.
To learn how and why other real estate agents started their career, download our latest guide and find out if a real estate career is right for you.
