Real estate offers so many career opportunities. It is so much more than home sales even though many real estate licensees work with residential and commercial buyers, sellers, and investors as they work to achieve their own goals and live the American Dream.
Thousands of other real estate licensees follow different career paths, so let us explore what other futures await. Some opportunities are fairly obvious and some not so much. It comes as a surprise to many that having a real estate license puts you at the head of the pack in many job interviews.
1. Admin Staff and Personal Assistant
Every real estate office employs admin and accounting staff. Many superstar, top-performing Realtors either hire their own office support staff or hire their own PA. Having a real estate license does two things:
- It tells your future employer that you understand the business, so can hit the ground running as soon as they recruit you.
- It gives you real confidence as you begin your new role.
2. Title Company.
Every property that is bought and sold involves what we call transfer of title. Ensuring clean title involves researching public records. Managing the closing process itself involves preparing paperwork, working with buyers, sellers, Realtors, lenders, and local government, and liaising with appraisers, inspectors, and others. Again, having a real estate license is critically important to understanding the why and the what as well as the when, the where, and the who.
3. Home Inspector.
Florida real estate law gives everyone the right to a property inspection before closing. Most inspectors are referred to the seller or buyer by their Realtor. Home inspectors must be properly licensed, both by the state, and in some cases by the county, in which they work. Building a good network of Realtors who know, trust, and respect you as an inspector can be so much easier to build your business if you also have a real estate license.
4. Mortgage Broker.
Many Realtors also have a mortgage broker’s license, and many mortgage loan originators have a real estate license. Again, this interweaving of knowledge and skill between specialties helps build trust and boost business.
5. Property Manager
Residential and commercial investors own property to rent out. Tenants look for properties they can live in or run their businesses from. Property managers serve the needs of both. Property managers also arrange leases, ensure the properties are well maintained, and that all other work is done correctly.
Homeowner and condo associations employ property management companies to ensure the whole development is managed. Common areas must be maintained, deed restrictions enforced, accounts completed, etc. Successful property managers and their office staff have a Community Association Manager (CAM) license and a real estate license.
6. Property Appraiser
Mortgage lenders demand an appropriate property appraisal is carried out by a licensed appraiser before they agree to lend money. Appraisers are specialists in their trade, and they all begin by completing a trainee appraiser course.
Another Benefit
Many people benefit in their careers from having a real estate license, as you have just read. A less well-known benefit is that a license-holder who maintains an active real estate license can place it with a broker’s office and may receive referral commissions for clients they pass on to another active Realtor or home builder.
If you would like to pursue a career in real estate without dealing directly with home sales, please click this link to contact us and learn more.
