What Can You Do With a Real Estate License?

The real estate industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. Real estate careers are becoming more and more popular each year. 

What a lot of people don’t know is that there are A LOT of job opportunities for someone with a real estate license. Seriously, friends you’re not limited to helping people buy and sell homes!

So, given that getting a real estate license opens up plenty of job opportunities, it’s no wonder real estate jobs are so popular. There are a ton of ways you can succeed in the industry! 

If you’re interested in getting your real estate license, you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing a round-up of jobs and careers you can pursue with a real estate license. 

What Can You Do With a Real Estate License?

Although you don’t need a real estate license to be a real estate professional, a license gives you far more opportunities and better income potential within the real estate sector. Getting a license is a fantastic way to further your career path in real estate. 

What Is A Real Estate License?

A real estate license is a state government-issued authorization that allows agents to represent buyers and sellers in any real estate transaction.

Each state has different requirements and processes for getting a real estate license. 

What Can You Do With a Real Estate License?

Real Estate Agent

The most popular reason people pursue a real estate license is to become a real estate agent. Real estate agents help with selling a property by representing the seller or buyer. You can work as an agent for a residential or commercial property. 

As an agent, you can also choose to specialize in certain kinds of properties to stand out among other agents in the industry. For example, you can specialize in undeveloped land, foreign real estate sales, investment properties, and more.

As a real estate agent, you can expect a lot of networking and paperwork. It’s also important to maintain relationships with people in your community. Frequent tasks include drawing up contracts, hosting open houses, negotiating sales, and managing closings.

Real estate agents make a living by earning a commission, or percentage, of the sale or purchase price. Most states require real estate agents to work under a brokerage.

Realtor

To enhance your position as a real estate agent, you can join the National Association of REALTORS® and become a REALTOR®.

Putting in the extra effort to become a REALTOR shows buyers and sellers, as well as other real estate professionals, that you are committed to providing top-level services by pursuing additional education in the real estate sector. 

As a REALTOR, you have the potential to secure more prestigious jobs that otherwise wouldn’t be available to you.

Real Estate Broker

Like real estate agents, brokers can help with the sale or purchase of a real estate property. However, unlike agents, brokers can work independently or as a manager for other agents. 

Many states require you to work for several years as an agent before you can become a broker. Since brokers typically make more than agents, this is a great position to aspire to. While the national average salary for a real estate agent is $48,930, the average salary of a broker is $59,720.

Property Developer

As the title suggests, a property developer buys a property and then develops it into something more attractive to buyers and more likely to make a profit. If this sounds like you, be sure to check out my post on how to find land for development. 

As a property developer, your responsibilities can vary, but you can expect tasks like selling or leasing the finished property, obtaining public permits, and staffing architects and builders. Having a real estate license allows you to negotiate deals as a buyer and seller.

Property Manager

If you’re not exactly thrilled by the idea of working for a commission, property management is a great job to consider. A property manager is responsible for overseeing an investment property. 

As a property manager, you’ll likely be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the property. Your tasks will include staffing, marketing, leasing, contracting for services, and overseeing maintenance and repairs. 

Depending on which state you work in and the type of property you manage, you might have to get additional certification beyond a real estate license. For example, if you want to work in a multi-unit residential property, like an apartment complex, you’ll probably need a commercial management certification or license.

In the United States, property managers make an average of $110,861 a year, depending on several factors such as education and experience.

Real Estate Appraiser

A real estate appraiser works as a third party to determine the value of a property. Lenders require appraisals for mortgages because an appraisal verifies that the price the property was purchased for is at or below the property’s value.

Appraisers often begin their career paths as real estate agents to gain experience in the industry. Although additional training and licensure are required regardless if you want to be a real estate appraiser. 

Real Estate Investor

There are several types of real estate investors and not all of them require having a real estate license. For example, if you want to work as a house flipper, you don’t technically need a real estate license, but it can certainly come in handy. Especially once you consider that not being licensed requires you to hire an agent and therefore give someone a percentage of the sale price. 

If you want to do real estate investing full-time, it’s usually better to have your real estate license so that you can represent yourself during the buying and selling processes. 

Real Estate Attorney

One of the more difficult careers in real estate to pursue is that of a real estate attorney. A real estate attorney is licensed to practice real estate law. If you’re interested in both law and real estate, this is definitely a lucrative career to pursue. 

Real estate attorneys are usually hired by landlords and big companies to make sure they’re on the right side of the law. They often deal with lawsuits and housing court, as well as various real estate transactions and negotiations. 

To be a real estate attorney, you will need to go to law school and pass the bar exam. Yes, it can be a long and grueling career path, but you can expect to make good money once you make it. The average real estate attorney in the United States makes $118,000 a year.

There are numerous careers you can pursue with a real estate license.

Getting your real estate license opens up a ton of career opportunities. Whether you want to help people buy and sell their homes or represent clients in housing court, it all starts with getting your license. Interested in becoming a realtor and/or joining our EXP Realty team in California? Schedule a call to discuss.

To learn more about the ins and outs of real estate, head over to the blog.