Lots of our readers want to know about extra ways for real estate agents to make money on the side. We understand why!
In many areas, the real estate market is slowing down. That means agents might not have as much work, and they could be making less money from commissions. Plus, there are new agents who need extra cash while they’re building up their businesses.
And some agents might be dealing with higher expenses, like if they’re going through a separation, their family is growing, or just because things are getting more expensive!
No matter why you need extra cash, we’ve got you covered with 25 side gigs for real estate agents!
Table of Contents
Best Side Hustles for Real Estate Agents
1. Become a Real Estate Consultant
Do you know that you can offer your expertise as a real estate consultant and make some good money on the side?
As a real estate agent, you’re probably familiar with the local real estate market, including neighborhood trends, property values, and investment potential. This makes your deep knowledge a valuable asset to developers, investors, and small businesses in property dealings.
Your services might include helping clients find great investment chances, like up-and-coming neighborhoods or undervalued properties, guiding them through buying or selling, negotiating deals, or sharing insights on market trends and regulatory changes.
To get started, you can share your knowledge on LinkedIn and network with people who might be potential real estate investors or home buyers.
You’ll gradually attract people to visit your profile. Just remember to brush up your professional portfolio to increase your credentials.
2. Rent Out Investment Properties
If you have a property sitting empty, you’re missing out on potential income. Renting it out lets you earn extra cash every month. You can set the rental price based on your knowledge of the local market and property trends.
As a real estate agent, you have options when it comes to management. You can handle everything yourself, from finding tenants to handling repairs and collecting rent.
Your industry insights can also give you an edge in marketing the property and selecting reliable tenants.
3. Teach Real Estate
If you enjoy teaching, why not share your real estate expertise with others? This can be a rewarding side hustle!
You can cover a range of subjects, from the basics of property transactions to advanced topics like marketing strategies and negotiation techniques.
With e-learning platforms such as Udemy, it’s easy to create and sell a course. Don’t worry too much about landing your first student; you can leverage the platform’s built-in marketing tools, such as targeted promotions and discounts, to attract students.
However, I’d suggest you start by creating a short free course to build an audience first. People will pay for your full course when they find your content helpful.
If you want to have a stable income, you can also explore opportunities to teach at local colleges or educational institutions as an adjunct professor.
4. Real Estate Investing
Real estate investing can be a lucrative side hustle, especially with your background as a real estate agent.
You have a special advantage: you know the market inside out. That means you can make smart choices about which properties to invest in. You might opt for a buy-and-hold strategy, where you hang onto properties for long-term gains, or you could try flipping houses for quicker profits.
Of course, it’s hard to accurately predict some market factors such as interest rates in the short term. However, the majority of housing markets have seen between a 50% and 100% increase in price over the past 20 years in every U.S. city.
So, if you’re a long-term investor, this side hustle is not particularly risky. Just don’t over-leverage and always stay within your financial comfort zone.
5. Property Management Services
Property management services can be a rewarding side hustle for real estate agents.
In this role, you’ll take care of tasks such as tenant management, rent collection, and property maintenance, ensuring that your clients’ properties are well-maintained and profitable.
Believe it or not, many property owners, who may lack the time or know-how, are willing to pay for the valuable peace of mind.
To secure a job, you can reach out to real estate brokerages that offer property management services or connect you with property management firms in need of agents.
Websites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn often list property management job openings. You can search using keywords like “property manager,” “real estate agent,” or “property management services.”
Another effective way is to directly reach out to property management companies in your area. They may have openings for property managers or be willing to hire real estate agents with relevant experience.
6. Real Estate Photography
If you’re good at photography or image editing, you can capitalize on your skills to offer real estate photography services and make some money on the side.
As a real estate agent turned photographer, you can meet the needs of fellow agents and property sellers by capturing stunning images of homes and properties.
You might even consider providing virtual tours and videos to give potential buyers a comprehensive view of the listings.
To find clients, you can make use of social media platforms and professional websites like LinkedIn to display your portfolio and attract potential clients.
On platforms like Craigslist, you’ll also find homeowners who are selling their properties FSBO (For Sale By Owner). Approach them directly to offer photography services for their listings.
7. Landscape Design and Maintenance
Offering landscape design and maintenance services can be a lucrative side hustle for real estate agents. Most homeowners who lack the time or interest in tending to their outdoor spaces are in need of these services.
As a landscape maintenance service provider, your tasks include mowing, raking, trimming, and planting, etc. To increase your income, you might also offer services to help homeowners enhance their property’s curb appeal by designing inviting front yard landscapes.
With your services, homeowners can enjoy their properties more, while simultaneously increasing the value of their homes.
However, since the work can be time and labor-intensive, I’d suggest you to hire a team or partner with an existing landscaping company rather than taking on all the tasks yourself.
8. Write for Real Estate Publications
If you know a lot about real estate, you can earn more money by writing for magazines and websites about real estate.
Real estate is a lucrative niche in blogging, so bloggers are willing to pay for experienced freelance writers to help with content creation. For example, you might be asked to write about topics like tips for buying and selling homes, ideas for improving houses, or what’s trending in the market right now.
Most beginner writers usually charge $0.05–$0.10 per word, while intermediate writers may charge $0.30–$0.50, and experienced writers may charge $1–$1.50.
If you want to secure a job, start with the lowest charges. You can raise your price as you build up your portfolio on freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
9. Home Staging
As a real estate agent, you can offer home staging services to earn more money on the side. With your expertise, you can turn homes into appealing spaces that attract buyers.
Home staging involves arranging furniture and decorations to highlight a property’s best features. It makes the space more inviting, which can lead to quicker sales and higher prices.
You can offer packages that include staging consultations, furniture rental, and decor placement.
Even if you’re not a design pro, you can still give it a try in home staging, as long as you’re willing to learn some basic design principles.
If you’re too busy, just partner with a professional stager. You can then focus on finding clients using your qualification as a real estate agent.
10. Become a Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate agents can become certified appraisers to expand their earning potential and expertise.
As an appraiser, your job is to accurately assess property values, helping buyers and sellers make informed decisions. This skill is highly sought after in real estate and can provide a steady income stream.
To become a certified appraiser, you’ll need to complete specific education and training requirements set by your state’s licensing board. This typically includes coursework, gaining appraisal experience under supervision, and passing a licensing exam.
Once certified, you can work for appraisal firms, financial institutions, or as an independent contractor. Fees for appraisals vary depending on factors like property type, size, and complexity, but they can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per appraisal.
11. Start a Real Estate Podcast
Starting a real estate podcast can be a profitable side hustle for agents!
It provides a platform to showcase your expertise and build a loyal audience. Through your podcast, you can share valuable insights about the real estate market, address listener questions, and discuss current trends.
To get started, you’ll need basic recording equipment such as a microphone and editing software. Choose a catchy name for your podcast that reflects your niche or expertise within the real estate industry.
After that, simply keep releasing episodes on a regular schedule. You can consider inviting guests such as fellow agents, industry experts, or even satisfied clients to share their experiences and insights.
As your podcast gains traction, you can monetize it through various channels. This could include sponsorships from real estate-related businesses, advertisements, or offering premium content or courses to your listeners for a fee.
12. Become a Mortgage Loan Officer
Becoming a mortgage loan officer is a lucrative side hustle for real estate agents! You’ll earn commissions on loans you facilitate, adding to your income stream.
In this role, you’ll use your real estate experience to help clients secure financing for property purchases. You’ll navigate them through various loan options, explaining the differences and helping them choose the best fit.
Not only does this offer financial benefits, but it also deepens your understanding of real estate transactions. Having mortgage expertise alongside your real estate skills makes you a more comprehensive and valuable professional to clients.
To become a mortgage loan officer, you’ll need to complete specific licensing requirements, which typically include pre-licensing education, passing a licensing exam, and possibly a background check.
Once licensed, you can work for mortgage companies, banks, or credit unions, or even operate independently.
13. Offer Coaching Services
If you enjoy teaching or mentoring, you might consider offering coaching services to increase your income as a real estate agent.
Using your experience, you can mentor newcomers in the real estate industry. Topics may include client management, negotiation strategies, and how to choose properties wisely.
Your coaching service can be conducted through one-on-one sessions, group workshops, or online courses, depending on your own schedule.
It’s a fulfilling way to give back to the profession while making use of your expertise for financial gain.
14. Become an Interior Designer
Real estate agents with an eye for design can turn their passion into profit by taking up interior design as a side hustle.
In this role, you’ll assist fellow agents in staging properties to perfection. Your expertise will be invaluable in selecting the right furniture, decor, and layout to make each space look its best.
By optimizing the aesthetics of homes, you’ll help agents secure quicker sales and potentially higher commissions.
You can structure your fees in different ways: charging a flat rate for your services or earning a percentage of the sale price.
15. Start a Real Estate Blog
If you enjoy writing, why not start a real estate blog? It’s a lucrative side hustle that might earn you more money than your regular job.
Through your blog, you can discuss topics like local market trends, home buying/selling tips, neighborhood spotlights, and even DIY home improvement projects.
Many potential home buyers or young couples are interested in these topics. You’ll gradually build a loyal audience base who might even subscribe to your email newsletters (just ask them to subscribe on your blog!)
To make money from your blog, you can promote affiliate products or services in real estate niches, sell digital products such as ebooks or online courses, and run display ads by joining Google AdSense or Mediavine if you meet the requirement of 50 thousand monthly visitors. Some companies might even pay you for sponsored content if you’re regarded as an authority.
With blogging, you need to regularly update with fresh content, optimize for search engines, and engage your audience through comments. There’s a lot of work involved, but the earning potential is huge.
16. Become a Real Estate Social Media Influencer
Turning your real estate know-how into a money-making gig is totally doable by becoming a social media influencer.
Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are your new best friends. Use them to share tips on buying and selling homes, DIY projects, and what’s happening in the market. Keep the content fresh and engaging, and people will start seeing you as the go-to expert.
Being a real estate influencer isn’t just about getting likes; it’s about making connections. You’ll attract potential clients and team up with other influencers and brands.
This means you can make money through sponsored posts, promoting products you believe in, teaming up with real estate-related brands, and even selling your own products like e-books or online courses.
17. Become an Inspector
Turn your construction background into cash by becoming a certified home inspector—a top-notch side gig for real estate agents.
As a home inspector, you help agents and buyers assess a property’s condition before finalizing the deal. In other words, your responsibility is to identify potential problems, providing buyers with peace of mind and ensuring smooth transactions. This allows you to charge a fair fee per inspection.
However, becoming a home inspector isn’t easy. You usually have to complete a training program. For example, in Washington State, you’re required to complete 120 hours of approved classroom home inspection training.
But it’s a stable income source, so it pays off in the long run.
18. Become a Real Estate Speaker
Most real estate agents I know are good at speaking and communication. So, you’re probably one of the experts in this area as well. If so, consider becoming a real estate speaker to earn some extra cash.
You can teach what you know at events like conferences, workshops, and seminars. You can talk about buying and selling properties, improving homes, and keeping up with market trends.
By doing this, you can:
- Build a strong network.
- Increase your visibility in the industry.
- Become a trusted expert.
If you earn more than $600, I’d suggest establishing an LLC for tax reasons. This allows you to deduct expenses like equipment and materials for helping clients.
19. Flip Houses
Flipping houses is a lucrative side hustle for real estate agents!
Here’s how it works:
- Buy Low, Sell High: Agents purchase properties that need fixing up at a low price.
- Upgrade and Enhance: They renovate these properties to make them more attractive.
- Sell for Profit: Once the renovations are done, they sell the houses for a higher price, making a good profit.
This side gig taps into an agent’s know-how of the real estate market. They can spot great deals and manage the buying and selling process smoothly.
Of course, there are some financial risks to bear because the market can suddenly turn upside down.
20. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a popular way for anyone who is just starting out to make some extra cash, and real estate agents are no exception.
Here’s how it works:
- Promote Products or Services: Agents advertise items or services for other companies.
- Drive Traffic: They send potential customers to the company’s website.
- Earn Commissions: When someone makes a purchase or signs up, agents get a commission.
As a real estate expert, you can promote things like real estate software, home improvement products, or financial services like mortgages and insurance.
It’s a flexible gig that lets you use your connections and knowledge to make money. What’s even better is that it doesn’t require much upfront investment. You might even earn some commissions while sleeping.
21. Home Repair
Home repair is a rewarding side hustle for real estate agents!
As a real estate agent, you know exactly what homeowners want from their real estate experience. This gives you an edge in the repair business. You can tackle everything from small fixes to big renovations, or use your market knowledge to advise clients on repair projects that will boost property value and align with their investment goals.
Homeowners are always looking for dependable professionals to spruce up their properties, so this side hustle is in high demand.
22. Start a Real Estate YouTube Channel
Most experts in my circle are on YouTube channels these days. As a real estate agent, you also possess a lot of expertise. So why not start a YouTube channel to share with your audience?
You can make videos about buying homes, selling tips, and what’s happening in the market.
For example, you could create videos on topics like “10 Must-Know Tips for First-Time Homebuyers” or “How to Stage Your Home for a Quick Sale.” By sharing practical advice and insights, you become the go-to expert in your area.
As your channel grows, you can make money from ads that play before or during your videos. You might even get sponsorship deals from companies in the real estate industry.
It’s a lucrative side hustle that might grow from a few hundred to millions a year!
It’s not just extra cash—it’s also a way to boost your reputation in the industry and attract more clients.
23. Become a Notary
Being a notary can be a rewarding side hustle for real estate agents.
To get started, you’ll need to meet your state’s specific requirements. This typically includes being over 18 years old, having no felony convictions, and passing a background check. Moreover, you’ll need to complete a training program and obtain the necessary license.
Once you’re licensed, you can start offering notary services. This might involve notarizing signatures on documents like deeds, contracts, or loan agreements. You can charge a fee for each notarization, which can add up over time.
Clients often require notarized documents during transactions, so having this skill can make you more valuable to them. It’s a great way to stand out from the competition and attract more business in your real estate field.
What Real Estate Side Hustles Are Best?
When picking the right real estate investments for you, consider:
- How much time you have
- Your skills and certifications
- Your available capital
For most real estate agents, I’d suggest trying their hand first at affiliate marketing. You probably have some followers on social media, so you might earn a commission right away by sharing high-quality real estate services.
It takes time to find the best side hustle, so don’t rush or make any financial commitments yet.
For more inspiration, check out our side hustle ideas database.
FAQs
Will my side hustle take away focus from my main real estate business?
Side hustles can be rewarding, but they might distract if not managed well. Focus on your main real estate business while giving enough attention to your side hustle for a good balance.
What are the risks of having a side hustle as a real estate agent?
Side hustles can make you stretch too thin, create potential conflicts of interest, and increase the risk of burnout. It’s important to handle these risks in the right way.
Can side hustles make money for real estate agents?
Yes, side hustles can be profitable, but they require hard work, dedication, and careful planning. Your success depends on how much effort and commitment you put in.
Do I need extra training for a side hustle as a real estate agent?
It depends on the type of side hustle you choose. Some might require specific knowledge or certifications. Be ready to invest in additional training if needed.
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.