7 Jobs in the Real Estate Industry for You to Consider

When most people think about getting into the real estate industry, they only think about becoming a real estate agent. While that certainly is a viable career path to consider, it’s important to note that there are also plenty of other options available to you. In light of that, we have curated a list of seven jobs in the real estate industry for you to consider. Read them over to get started on finding your next career path.

Jobs in the real estate industry you may enjoy

1. Real estate agent.

First and foremost, no list like this would be complete without talking about what it takes to be a real estate agent. On the buying end of things, an agent is responsible for helping their clients to view available listings, submit offers, and negotiate contracts. Then, on the selling end, the agent will help the homeowners market their home for sale, review any offers, and negotiate the transaction.

While most real estate agents sell residential properties, it is also possible to be an agent who specializes in commercial real estate, or the buying and selling of properties that are used for business purposes. However, whichever option you choose, real estate agents work on commission, which means you’ll be paid a percentage of the sale price of the property.

2. Real estate broker.

It can be helpful to think of a real estate broker as the next step up from a real estate agent. Essentially, a broker is the owner of a real estate company. While all the agents in a particular brokerage may not work on the same real estate team as their broker, he or she is still responsible for overseeing all of the agents in the brokerage.

If you decide to pursue this job in the real estate industry, be prepared to have to meet some additional educational requirements and to sit for another exam. Most states also require that brokers work for a certain number of years before earning this additional designation.

3. Office manager.

If your goal is to someday open your own brokerage, but you don’t feel ready to take that step quite yet, there is another option. You could become an office manager. In this case, office manager roles function similarly to the way they would in any other industry. The office manager is typically responsible for facilities management and for overseeing the agents that work in that office.

Additionally, in real estate, it’s common for office managers to take on the role of mentor for newer agents. They may host trainings or other educational events and they are typically the person who agents will talk to when they have a question about how to handle a transaction.

Office managers typically also sell real estate but receive an extra stipend for their work at the office.

4. Property manager.

Next, a property manager is a real estate agent who specializes in rental properties. In most cases, a property manager will oversee an entire portfolio of properties. They are responsible for marketing properties for rent, screening tenants, executing leases, managing maintenance, and collecting rents.

Usually, property managers will work for a larger company. As such, their positions are often salaried. Still, individual landlords will often do property management work in exchange for rental income.

5. Real estate attorney.

Real estate attorneys can work in a variety of fields. Some may go to court and advocate for tenants’ rights, others may take the place of a title agent in a real estate transaction or agree to act as a consultant and read real estate contracts on a per-fee basis.

The fees that real estate attorneys can charge are commensurate with other attorney fees. Still, we should note that this job in the real estate industry requires a lot of education. You’ll have to go to law school and pass the bar exam before you’ll be able to practice.

6. Real estate developer.

Put simply, a real estate developer buys land and builds property on it. While it’s possible to be both a builder and a developer, the biggest distraction between the two jobs in the real estate industry is that a developer often obtains the permits to prepare raw land for a house to be built on it. A builder is often responsible for building the house itself.

Typically, a real estate developer will have an architecture or urban planning background. However, on a day-to-day basis, they will be charged with obtaining permits, meeting zoning requirements, and coordinating with multiple contractors at one time.

7. Real estate wholesaler.

Lastly, a real estate wholesaler is an investor who often acts as a liaison between motivated sellers and end buyers. They buy properties that are often distressed for below market value. Then, they turn around and sell the same property to a willing buyer soon after. Usually, very few renovations or changes are made in the process.