Real estate is a growing industry, and getting a real estate license is one of the cheapest and fastest career training programs for the income. If becoming a typical real estate agent isn’t for you, here are some other great careers you can start with a little personal talent and a real estate license.
An agent’s schedule can be varied and hectic, between meeting with clients, gathering and providing information, creating and distributing home marketing materials, handling paperwork, and overseeing the thousands of details that get homes bought and sold at all hours of the day. It’s not any stretch to see how a busy agent could use a helping hand. Becoming a Licensed Assistant for top producers or busy realty offices can mean better hours, steady paychecks, and reduced stress for both you and the agents you assist. Assistants can also specialize in particular aspects of the field. Research Assistants gather and process industry information, helping answer all manner of client questions and provide high-value support for agents and businesses. Marketing Assistants combine industry knowledge and advertizing to manage the brochures, mailings, advertizing, web activities, and other activities specific to marketing for select agents or businesses. Web Assistants specialize in building and maintaining web sites and web content. All of these types can be performed as Virtual Assistant over the computer, phone, fax, and mail, allowing you the convenience of a home office and increased work hour flexibility.
For the artistically inclined, Home Staging is a growing industry for real estate professionals with an eye for design. Commercial and private clients are becoming increasingly aware that top-dollar sales require big first impressions. Home stagers use their artistic skills and real-estate knowledge to cater those first impressions to the proper audience and make every showing count. Some successful stagers have even moved to television, magazines, and other media through the strength and value of their designs and ideas. Similarly, Real Estate Photography is on the rise. Industry-minded artists provide the stunning imagery needed for property advertisement, magazines, web sites and other media.
If you have language skills and like to write, you could find a niche as a Real Estate Writer. All industries need writers who can create trade materials, manage web articles, write pamphlets, mailings, manuals, or blogs, or a host of other key internal or external communications. A writer licensed in a specialized field is a rare and precious commodity, offering a comprehensive understanding of the field with a talent for words. Trade publications, large or successful real estate companies, and countless online opportunities can be found (or created!) for real estate writers.
Investors, companies, and individuals across the country and abroad are always looking to purchase commercial or private properties in the US. Time and travel, however, are often limited. That’s why they hire Property Scouts to do the legwork, investigating and reporting on potential properties and development opportunities. Successful scouts know their industry, do all of the homework, and provide valuable information to their clients. A scout can work as a freelance basis, building a client list of investors and industry contacts, or be contracted with specific firms or businesses to serve their client’s needs.
Finally, no property is sold until all of the forms are signed, and closing firms, banks, and other property companies need Title and Closing Specialists to gather, produce, and manage the documents necessary for closings. This task requires in depth knowledge of real estate laws and procedures. Detail-minded real estate professionals who thrive on multitasking could find many great positions helping properties get sold.
Real Estate is much more than selling houses. With a license and some ingenuity, these and other great jobs could be yours.
Want to find out if you have what it takes to be a Real Estate Agent or Broker?
About The Author: Tom Davidson is the acting Director of Sales & Operations for Colibri Real Estate, LLC. Since 1996 the companies under this banner have offered online real estate licensing and insurance licensing courses as well as online real estate exam prep and insurance exam prep.
