There's no denying that the real estate market can be a tough and cutthroat avenue to make money.
If you're a real estate agent looking to make more money, picking up a side hustle can makes sense.
While the average real estate agent makes around $95,000 annually, starting a side hustle can be a great way to make extra income.
In this post, I'll explore the best side hustles for real estate agents, how much money you can make, and more. Let's get started!
- Working as a property manager, home stager, or interior designer can be great side jobs for real estate agents.
- It's possible to earn an extra $2000 a month with the right side hustle.
- Digital side hustles like blogging, freelancing, or real estate coaching can be great options to make money online.
30 Best Side Hustles & Side Jobs for Real Estate Agents
1. Start a Blog
Starting a blog can be the perfect side hustle for many realtors and real estate agents for a few different reasons. While blogging is anything but a get rich quick scheme, it can be a great way to make passive income after a few months (sometimes years!).
Starting a blog is extremely easy and the cost to start a blog is minimal. To get started, you'll first need to purchase a domain name. My favorite platform is Namecheap. You can buy a domain for less than $15 each year.
Next, you'll need to find hosting for your blog. My favorite host is SiteGround. They offer extremely fast hosting at an affordable price.
After purchasing hosting, you can install a CMS (like WordPress) to make managing your blog simple.
Finally, it's time to start creating content for your blog and promoting it for others to find.
Wondering how blogs or niche sites earn money? Blogs can make money in a variety of ways. For example, display advertising and affiliate marketing are two of the most common ways you can monetize your site.
Blogging can take some time to get up and running, but it can be a great way to make extra income once you have a few months under your belt.
Each new post you publish has the ability to generate extra income for your finances. Your efforts will begin to compound exponentially and your blog can become a steady stream of income over time. It's possible to make over 6-figures from your online business if you put in the work.
Check out the earnings from one of my sites below! Not bad!
2. Become a Property Manager
Working as a property manager can be one of the best side hustles for real estate agents looking to make extra income for several reasons.
With this side hustle, you'll be tasked with finding tenants for your properties, collecting rent payments, and maintaining the property by completing maintenance requests to ensure it is in good condition.
A property management side hustle can easily turn into a thriving full-time business that doesn't require a significant amount of money to get started Additionally, you don't need any special education to get started.
Many property management companies will charge around 10% of each month's rent to make money. For example, if you're managing a property that charges $1,500 per month in rent, you would collect $150 per month as the property manager.
In addition, it's common to also charge a fee for finding tenants. This can be as much as 25% of the first month's rent.
For the rental property that I own, I have paid thousands to my property management company so far this year.
While this might not seem like a massive income, property managers can go months and months without having to do much work at all (sign me up!). The majority of your work will be spent finding and working with contractors to complete work and dealing with tenants.
By managing a few properties your income will begin to rise and your side business can turn into a full-time job.
The video below is a great resource for starting a property management company. Give it a watch!
3. Sell Stock Photos
As a realtor, you likely have access to some amazing photos of properties and interior design trends. Did you know you can sell them online and make some extra cash?
Selling stock photos can be a great way to make passive income without a ton of work. For each photo you sell, you can expect to make anywhere from $0.25 to $5.00, depending on the platform you sell them on and the overall quality of the photo.
Now, you'll have to be a skilled photographer and some basic photo editing skills to become successul, but if you're willing to learn this can be an amazing side job for realtors.
4. Take Online Surveys
Taking online surveys is a simple way to earn extra money whenever you have free time.
While you're not going to make millions taking surveys, it can be a great way to make some extra cash.
As a bonus, there are many apps that will give you free money just for signing up. For example, using a platform like InboxDollars will give you $5 completely free. Why would you say no to that!?
Some of my favorite survey sites that pay cash include:
5. Become a Real Estate Investor
With your past experience in real estate, another way to make extra money is by becoming an investor yourself.
You'll need to have money to make money with this method, but if you're willing to offer up some cash – you can make a tremendous income.
There are plenty of different methods to invest in real estate but some of my favorites include:
- Investing in crowdfunded real estate with LEX Markets
- Purchasing a rental property
- Invest in a real estate investment trust
- Invest in commercial real estate with Streitwise
Each method of real estate investing has benefits and drawbacks.
For example, using LEX Markets is one of the easiest ways to make money with real estate, but the returns are slightly less than owning rental properties.
Owning a rental property can produce the largest returns and earn steady cash flow , but it will require the most work and money to get started. Some investors will work as “flippers” where they purchase a property that needs a significant amount of work, complete the work, and sell it for a profit.
Want to invest in real estate with just $5? Register for Acorns and get $10 completely free to invest in a REIT!6. Start a Delivery Side Hustle
As the food delivery industry continues to grow, this provides a great opportunity for those working in the gig economy.
But it's expanded beyond just delivering food. Now, you can get anything delivered.
Food, groceries, and just about anything else you want.
These can be great options to make some extra income when you need it for many real estate agents. There's no set schedule and you can work whenever you want. What's not to love?
Some of the best delivery side hustles include:
- Delivering food with Doordash
- Delivering groceries with Instacart
- Delivering packages with Amazon Flex
Are you going to make thousands each day with these side hustles? No!
But this is an excellent way to earn $20 an hour or more in some cities.
7. Start a Referral Business
As a real estate agent, you rely on finding new clients to make money and grow your business.
If you have skills in sales, marketing, and networking, you can start a referral business (this is also called a lead generation business).
How does a referral or lead-gen business work?
In simplest terms, a real estate agent will offer real estate clients they can attract to another agent in exchange for a smaller commission.
If you don't prefer working directly with people or the real estate process in general, working as a referral agent can be one of the best side hustles for real estate agents you should consider.
8. Sell Online Courses
Selling online courses can be a great way to grow your side income as a real estate agent.
With this online side hustle, you'll create a course that can be about anything you're knowledgeable about.
Some online course topics you might consider include:
- The basics of real estate and industry trends
- How to sell a home by owner
- Real estate investing for beginners
Creating and selling an online course can be a great way to make some passive income if you're willing to put in the work.
You'll also need to think about how you will market and sell your course. Unfortunately, once your course is live and available for sale, that doesn't necessarily mean the sales will start rolling in.
You'll need to think of ways to market and promote your course so you can start making sales and ultimately income.
One option is using digital advertising like Facebook or Twitter ads. Because these platforms have such a large reach, you can setup targeting so that you only show your ads to people who might be interested in purchasing your course.
If you're looking for a side hustle you can start with no money, selling online courses might be for you! Check out the video below to learn how you can get started!
9. Estate Sales
Estate sales are common occurrence whenever a home is sold, especially if the owner is elderly.
These sales are very similar to a yard or garage sale.
If you have some clients who don't want to deal with the hassle of selling things, consider asking them if they'd like you to hold an estate sale for them. You can take a cut of the profits, which can be substantial.
10. Sell Digital Products
Digital products can be another profitable side hustle for real estate agents to make extra money, and it's similar to online courses. Except instead of creating an entire course, you'll just need to create a single digital file that you sell.
There are plenty of options available but selling products like a moving checklist or a home sale prep checklist could be great options you might consider. Even if you sell them for a few bucks each, if you can generate enough sales – this can add up to a large income.
When selling digital products, it's important to examine ways you can sell your products like through your website, email list, or social media accounts. Remember, just because you create it, doesn't necessarily mean it will sell!
Digital products can be a tremendous way to earn passive income with an unlimited income potential. It's a great side job for realtors who want to make money online.
12. Home Sale Prep
Before a home gets listed for sale, there's a good chance the homeowners will want to do some work to make it look its best and ensure there are no serious issues.
This is where you could come in and offer your services as a home sale prep expert.
You could help clients declutter, stage, and deep clean their home so that it's ready to be shown to potential buyers.
The amount of money you can make with this side job will vary from area to area and the size of the home, but it's certainly possible to earn over $200 per home you prep.
13. Proofreading
Proofreading is an easy freelance job that anyone can do, including real estate agents.
All you have to do is look over text and ensure it doesn't have tons of grammatical errors. No English degree required!
There are tons of proofreading jobs you can find online depending on your skills.
The amount of money you can make will depend on how fast you can proofread and the type of document you're proofreading but in most cases you can earn between $20 and $25 per hour.
If you're looking to get started, check out the Proofread Anywhere course to learn how to build a profitable proofreading business and earn thousands each month.
14. Real Estate Coaching
Many real estate investors are looking for insights into a specific area or location before making a large investment.
As a real estate agent, you likely have vast knowledge about your area that could be very valuable to potential investors.
Just think, if you don't live in that area, you might not know which areas are more stable and which are going downhill.
Offering real estate coaching services can be a great way to make money as a realtor and you might also learn some valuable investing skills at the same time!
15. Rent Out Short Term Rentals
Short term rentals are an entirely different ballgame when it comes to real estate, but they can still be extremely profitable.
If you have a vacation home or an investment property, you could list it on Airbnb or a similar site and rent it out to others.
Jus be sure that you're familiar with the laws in your area, as some places don't allow short term rentals and you could end up with fines!
While this is technically a form of real estate investing, I think it deserves its own section because of how different it is.
If you have your own home, consider renting it out for short periods of time to earn some extra money.
16. Start a Notary Service
Notaries are in high demand and can be an excellent side hustle for realtors who want to earn some extra money.
So what do notaries do?
As a notary, you'll essentially get paid to verify the identity of people signing a document. Just think, for important documents like buying or selling a home, you need to be 100% sure the person signing the agreement is who they say they are. If not, the bank could be out some serious cash.
The amount you can make will depend, but it's possible to make a few hundred dollars each month with this side job.
Ready tog et started? Here's how you can become a notary.
17. Stage Homes
This side hustle goes hand-in-hand with home prep, but staging requires a little more skill.
Whenever selling a home, staging the property is an important step to get the most value for your property. You want it to look as nice as possible.
This means having the appropriate furniture and decor to make the home look as appealing as it can be to potential buyers.
But many owners don't know how nor do they have the time. This gives you a great opportunity to make money as a home stager.
As a home stager, you can choose to charge by the hour or by the job with many jobs bringing in a few hundred dollars for your time.
18. Start a Podcast
Podcasting can be a fun side hustle that can be very profitable for some creators.
Starting a podcast is easier than you think and it won't cost a fortune to get started. You'll just need a computer, a decent microphone, and some basic audio editing software to create a high-quality podcast.
The most difficult part of starting a profitable podcast is marketing your show and growing your listeners. Ultimately, you'll earn an income based on how many people listen to your show, so you need to have a plan to promote your podcast so you can start making money.
Podcasts can make money through sponsorships and affiliate marketing and it's possible to make $20k a month from your show once you reach a large enough audience. Not bad!
19. Start a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel is a excellent method to share your knowledge with others and earn some money in the process.
For real estate professionals, there are many different video topics you could consider creating. For example, showing other realtors how to stage a home, how to find the right real estate agent, or what to look for in a home are all great content ideas for your channel worth exploring.
Just like starting a podcast, starting a YouTube channel is relatively easy and doesn't require a large amount of money to get up and running. There are even some ways to make money on YouTube without creating videos. You'll just need a good camera and basic microphone, as well as some video editing software to get your channel off the ground.
Once your channel has grown large enough, you can begin to monetize your efforts with YouTube ads and affiliate marketing – both of which are super easy to get started.
Some of the top YouTube creators have made tens of millions from their efforts so there's no reason you can't do the same.
Don't get me wrong, it's going to take a massive amount of work to get there, but it's worth it!
20. Work as a Virtual Assistant
Working as a virtual assistant can be an excellent side job for realtors that can be done completely online.
With this digital side hustle, you'll be tasked with doing a wide range of tasks such as sending and responding to emails, posting on social media, updating website content, and much more depending on your skills.
One of the best parts about working as a virtual assistant is that it's completely online – meaning you can do it from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and internet connection.
The amount of money you can make will vary depending on your skills and capabilities but it's possible to earn over $20 per hour with this side hustle. I know some virtual assistants who charge over $80 per hour for their work!
Not sure where to start? Check out Carrie's Virtual Assistant Accelerator course where you can learn how to make thousands each month working from home!
21. Flip Homes
Flipping homes is a great way to make some serious money if you have the knowledge, skills, and funds to get started. Technically, this is another form of real estate investing – but it's a little different. You're not investing for the long term.
With house flipping, you'll start by finding a distressed property (usually through online listings or by driving around neighborhoods).
You'll then purchase the home and do all the repairs and renovations needed to get it ready to sell. This could include anything from adding a fresh coat of paint to knocking down walls, and changing up the flooring.
Once it's ready, you'll put it back on the market and sell it for a quick profit.
The amount of money you make will depend on the amount of work you're willing to put in, the market conditions at the time you sell, and your negotiating skills.
Successful flippers are capable of making 50% returns on their money in less than a few months depending on the real estate market. This is a lucrative side hustle for many real estate investors and agents to make money in addition to their day job.
Check out the video below for more help flipping homes!
22. Freelance Writing
While freelance writing isn't for everyone, it's a good option to grow your side income in addition to your real estate business.
Freelance writing requires you to have strong writing skills, be able to meet deadlines, and have some knowledge in a particular field (such as real estate).
However, don't get hung up on your writing skills. Like any other skill, as you practice you'll become better and better. You don't even need an English degree to become a good writer!
There are several different types of freelance writing you can consider depending on your interests.
The amount of money you can make with this side gig will vary depending on your experience and the type of writing you're completing but it's possible to make up to $1 per word written.
For example, a 750-word blog post could net you $750 for experienced writers. For more novice writers, you can expect to earn anywhere from $.10 to $.50 per word.
This is a great side hustle for realtors because it's flexible, has a high income potential, and you can work at your own pace.
23. Start a Real Estate Brokerage
When it comes to real estate, you have the realtor and the real estate brokerage representing each side of the transaction.
Whenever a transaction occurs, the income is often split between the realtor and the brokerage. So if you earn a 3% commissions, you might only receive 1.5% as the realtor.
Starting a real estate brokerage can be an awesome way to make money, provided you have the skills and experience to start. You'll need to have at least a few years of experience as a realtor, and you'll need to put up some money to start the business.
If you can get it up and going, real estate brokerages can make a tremendous income.
24. Start a Title Company
Title insurance is a part of the real estate process that allows buyers to protect themselves against a potential claim that work was completed on the home but was never paid.
Without title insurance, you could face money owed to contractors who were not paid when your home was built.
By starting a title company, you can make a great income by connecting home buyers with title insurance.
25. Drive for Uber or Lyft
Working in the gig economy is an easy way to make money in addition to your real estate career.
By driving for a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft you can work your own schedule whenever you have free time – which is super convenient.
It's possible to make over $25 per hour with this side gig making is a solid option to make money as a real estate professional.
26. Build Websites for Other Real Estate Agents
Creating a real estate website is easier than you think, but not as many people understand how to build a website as you might think. Thanks to all of the website building platforms available, it's never been easier!
Even if you have no web development skills, you can create a website.
So how can you make money doing this?
By offering your website design skills to other realtors, you can make a large amount of money. You might be capable of building a website in a day or less and you can often charge over $2,500 per website, so if you want to earn $1000 daily – give this side hustle a try!
27. Create an Advertising Business for Real Estate Agents
Half of becoming a successful real estate agent is knowing how to market and sell your services.
With so many realtors out there, competition can be fierce. If you have extensive knowledge of marketing and know how to get clients for agents – this can be a profound way to make extra cash.
28. Become a House Sitter
If you want to earn passive income, working a side job as a house sitter can be an easy option worth considering.
With this gig, you'll get paid to look over a home while the owners are away.
This means taking the trash out, keeping it clean, and ensuring no intruders break in.
29. Complete Paid Focus Groups
One great real estate side hustle is taking paid focus groups.
As a focus group participant, you'll be asked to complete a survey or participate in a discussion about a particular product or service that you've used.
You can make as much as $150 per focus group when using platforms like Survey Junkie. It's a simple, easy, no-brainer way to make extra money as a realtor.
30. Rent Out a Room in Your Home
If you have a spare bedroom, why not turn it into cash?
By renting out a room in your home (also called house hacking), you can make passive income each month without having to do any work.
It's important to find good roommates when house hacking as you'll want to make sure the space is well-maintained and that everyone gets along.
Final Thoughts on the Best Side Jobs for Realtors
There are plenty of side hustles for real estate agents looking to grow their income and earn extra money.
Between starting a lead generation business, working as a real estate virtual assistant, or working in real estate photography there are plenty of real estate side hustles you can do to grow your income in addition to selling properties.
Want to make more money? Check out these posts!
- 40+ Free Money Apps that Pay Instantly
- How to Make $100 a Day: Proven Methods
- Flipping on eBay (How to Start a Flipping Business)
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