Here’s Why You Should Become a Real Estate Agent

In today’s job marketplace, people are waking up to the idea that you don’t have to be hindered by a 9-to-5 job with a finite salary, specific dress codes, and a long list of other restrictions and rules. The world is changing, and you can now carve out a successful career for yourself while having flexibility and control over your income. 

If this sounds attractive to you, being a real estate agent could be a great option.

The Case for Becoming a Real Estate Agent

There are thousands of real estate agents in the industry. However, don’t let the competition scare you. There’s still plenty of room for ambitious professionals who want to carve out a name for themselves in this space. And if you choose to become a real estate agent, you’ll enjoy benefits such as these:

There’s a Low Barrier to Entry

When becoming a real estate agent, the barriers to entry are extremely low. Unlike other fields that require you to have a bunch of degrees, certifications, experience, and referrals, you can become a real estate agent without any fancy resume or accolades.

You don’t need a college degree to become an agent. As long as you have a high school diploma or your GED, you’re good to go in almost every state. Secondly, you don’t need to sit through months of training or certification classes to become licensed. Simply take your state’s real estate course online, pass a couple of exams, and you’re ready to go.

It’s Extremely Flexible

Talk to any real estate agent and they’ll tell you that the flexibility of the job is one of the biggest advantages. This is true on many levels.

For starters, you’re able to set your own hours. This means you work when you want, where you want, and how much you want. If you’d prefer to work 15 hours per week you can. Or if you’d rather hit the ground running and put in 60-hour weeks, you can do that too.

Secondly, there’s flexibility in the methods and systems you use to generate leads and work with clients. This is very refreshing – particularly if you’re coming from a job where your employer forced you to follow rigid checklists.

The Money Can be Lucrative

Make no mistake about it – you can make a ton of money as a real estate agent. Because everything is commission-based, you have total control over your income. 

“In general, commissions are paid only when you settle a transaction. Ultimately, this means that you could work hard for days, weeks, or even months without taking home any money at all,” Investopedia explains. “Like other commission-based jobs, it can be feast or famine.”

Thankfully, there aren’t many years of famine once you get your legs under you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a booming economy or a recession, people always buy and sell houses. Once you get your network built up, you’ll be just fine.

You Get to Work With Different People

If you’re someone who is outgoing and enjoys working with different people, you’re going to love being a real estate agent. Unlike a typical office job where you see the same few people every single day, your role as an agent allows you to rub shoulders with new people all the time. This includes prospects, clients, other agents, contractors, home inspectors, lenders, etc. 

As an added benefit, you’ll start to create your own personal network of contacts the longer you’re in real estate. You’ll know lawyers, plumbers, mechanics, teachers, and business owners all throughout your community. If something pops up in your personal life, you’ll almost always have someone you can call. 

You Can be Creative

From the outside looking in, real estate might seem like a pretty straightforward field. However, there’s plenty of room for creativity. This includes creativity in marketing, lead generation, promotion, negotiations, and the structuring of deals. 

Is a Career in Real Estate Right for You?

There are 101 ways to get involved in the real estate industry. But if you’re looking for a flexible way to earn a healthy living that’s both challenging and rewarding, consider becoming a real estate agent. As this article shows, there’s plenty to love!