Is Real Estate a Good Part-Time Job?

Can you Sell Real Estate Part Time?

Challenges

In short, becoming a part-time real estate agent in traditional buy and sell markets is possible, but challenging.

Why? For starters, even part-time agents must receive their license before they begin working. A license will take about 4-6 months to earn on average, and it can cost thousands of dollars to cover courses, exams, fees, background checks, and startup expenses. Many brokers refuse to hire part-time agents, which substantially limits your employment options. Moreover, with competition running so high in a market flooded with devoted full-time agents, networking and building a client base can be incredibly difficult for someone putting in fewer hours.

Real estate jobs depend on your constant availability to clients. Some agents work around this hurdle by communicating their hours and status clearly with prospective clients so that they understand the agent’s limitations. Stating this information up front gives clients the opportunity to move on before committing to a situation that might not meet their needs. It also, probably, means fewer clients will choose to work with you.

Advantages

Working part time will mean concentrating your hours on evenings and weekends; the times when clients have the most availability. This schedule works great for someone working a day job, but who wants to maintain a side gig for extra income.

Moreover, while a smattering of non-agent roles in the industry might also work out as part-time roles, at AptAmigo, we offer a solution to these industry limitations for part-timers. Our touring gents, or client experience specialists, can set their own schedule, need no previous experience, and, in some states, don’t even need a leasing license to work.

Do your research before making any final decisions about this career path. Real estate experts give plenty of free advice online about How to Become a Successful Part-Time Real Estate Agent. Or, read on to learn about becoming a touring agent instead.

Related: The Truth About Being a Real Estate Agent

Consider Becoming a Touring Agent Instead

Instead of dealing with the hassles involved in becoming a traditional real estate agent only to put in part-time hours, you can bypass the high barriers to entry and become a touring agent. This position makes working part time in real estate a viable option, especially for someone interested in testing the waters before deciding whether to commit to the industry in the long term.

Use this flexible, part-time position to supplement your income on evenings or weekends. Or, use it as a stepping stone to a full-time job. Many of AptAmigo’s touring agents become apartment locators, or fill other job openings in the company, after gaining some experience. This position provides a great, pressure-free way to break into the industry.

What Is an AptAmigo Touring Agent?

Whether you want a temporary side gig, or to get your foot in the door for a full-time real estate career, touring beautiful luxury apartments with our clients is a fun way to earn a few extra bucks. Our TAs become a client’s best friend for the duration of their apartment touring day. They help arrange Ubers or Lyfts, take notes, ask questions to building staff, keep track of time, and even buy coffee and snacks for the famished apartment hunter. If a client can’t show up in person, the tours can take place virtually. To top it all off, you decide your availability, and AptAmigo will pair you with clients based on a schedule that works for you.

Touring Agent Salary

Real estate jobs offer commission-based income. However, since this position falls into a somewhat non-traditional category, TAs earn a small fee per building that you tour in addition to a larger bonus whenever a client signs a lease. Because your schedule can vary according to your availability, your average income will depend on how often you attend tours.

If you decide to become an Apartment Locator after working as a TA, your earning potential will drastically increase. Learn more about apartment locator salaries if you plan to take this route.

Licenses

Traditional real estate positions require the same license whether you decide to work part or full time. Earning these credentials takes time and costs a lot of money. Such an investment makes sense for someone ready to make a long-term commitment to the industry right from the start.

In many states, such as Colorado and Tennessee, TAs at AptAmigo can work without any license at all. Some places, such as Texas, require a leasing license before starting. In Chicago, no license is required to become a TA until after 120 days. You’ll need to check your state for the exact rules, or reach out to AptAmigo to learn about how this opportunity works in your neck of the woods.

Pros & Cons of Doing Real Estate Part-Time

You can read all about the pros and cons of working part time in traditional real estate roles online. Know, however, that you can avoid many of the cons mentioned by real estate experts when you become a touring agent. Your availability to clients, for instance, matters primarily during the hours leading up to and during tours. Each client’s sales rep will handle the rest, so you’re on duty only when our team schedules you for tours during your stated available times.

Additionally, you won’t deal with clients doubting your commitment due to your part-time status, and you’ll have a solid support system at an established brokerage company from day one. Aside from flexible scheduling and great colleagues, you’ll spend time looking at beautiful buildings in amazing cities while meeting cool new clients all the time. Not a bad deal.

So, if you’re interested in starting your part-time real estate career by becoming a touring agent. Reach out to us today! We’re growing and always looking for new talent.

* The original version of this article was first published on August 18, 2021.