Is Real Estate a Side Hustle?

Real estate is a topic that always sparks curiosity.  Most people know a bit about it, but there’s always a desire to learn more.  It’s the kind of field where someone might say “I’ve always been interested, and I think I could do well, but I’m not sure where to start.”

For many, real estate was often seen as a fallback career or a part-time gig.  “If nothing else works out, I’ll sell houses” or “I’ll make some extra cash selling a home or two.” When I started, that mindset was common, especially those looking for flexible work, like stay-at-home parents.  The barrier to entry was, and still is, surprisingly low.  Just 120 hours of training, a test, and you’re a realtor.  Maintaining your license costs about $1500 per year plus 30 hours of continuing education. It’s not a steep hurdle.

As realtors, we’re business owners. We manage profit and loss statements, pay our own taxes, cover expenses, and work unpredictable hours, just like any entrepreneur.  But our work goes beyond numbers.  We guide clients through some of the biggest moments of their lives whether it’s buying a home for a growing family, navigating a divorce or selling a property after a loved one’s passing. We manage real human emotions, balancing empathy with the demands of running a business.

There’s no safety net in this industry. When I pull my sign out of a yard, I’m starting from zero, no hourly wage, no guaranteed benefits, no company retirement plan. Yet, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I have the freedom to make my own decisions answering only to myself, Linda, my boys and to my clients.  I firmly believe that I should only earn a living if I deliver the service my clients expect.  For over 34 years, I have been fortunate enough to build a career on that principle, and I plan to continue as long as I can maintain that standard.

Today, younger agents and seasoned professionals (like me) treat real estate as a serious business, not a side hustle. New agents are entering the field with detailed business plans, ready to dive in fully. To be a successful agent you need strategy and a lot of that is set through experience selling many homes over many years through many different economic markets.  You have to stay ahead of market trends, adapting to unpredictable challenges like economic shifts, interest rate spikes, or even a global crisis.  In today’s volatile economy with a tight housing market, it’s more important than ever to work with a seasoned realtor, who has experience navigating tough markets that are constantly shifting. 

The real estate industry is finally embracing its potential as a true profession.  It’s no longer just a fallback or a part-time job-it’s a field of dedicated business owners raising the bar.  This shift benefits everyone, especially the clients we serve.