Real Estate JobsThe real estate industry has always been a popular field. Despite its highs and lows, it still draws new employees every year. Most people commonly think of realtors when they think of real estate jobs. But there are more positions in the industry than just that. Real estate can include the buying and selling of homes, commercial buildings, property appraisal, property management, real estate investments, and market prediction. Also, when it comes to buying, real estate involves more than homes. Some real estate agents only deal in commercial properties. Growing companies are always looking for new locations to put up offices, warehouses, and industrial buildings. When talking about real estate, there are only two basic types of property: residential and commercial. There are many laws and regulations concerning real estate and anyone working in the field must be knowledgeable of them. The laws for residential homes are different from commercial real estate which is why many real estate agents choose either one field or the other. Residential property can only be used for the development of homes. Commercial property can only be used for the construction of commercial buildings such as offices, retail businesses, restaurants, manufacturing plants, and such. Real Estate Job QualificationsOne of the big draws about real estate jobs is that they do not require a college degree. A high school diploma is the minimum required to start a career in real estate. But anyone working in the field must take real estate courses and pass an extensive exam in order to be certified. Anyone interested in becoming a real estate agent, whether residential or commercial, has to go through this. After they pass the test, they will have to pay state fees to get their license. Since there are always new regulations being put into effect regarding real estate, agents must participate in continuing education programs to keep their certification. Other real estate jobs such as investors and developers usually need a college degree in business and finance. Previous experience in real estate in usually very helpful. An internship at a real estate firm is a good way to get your foot in the door. Real Estate Job Descriptions
Real Estate Agents – Also known as a realtor, this is the most common job within the industry. They are responsible for acting as a middle man for buyers and sellers, advertising for homes on the market, negotiating between parties, and overseeing financial transactions. Real Estate Appraisers – Appraisers are responsible for estimating the value of a property. Appraisers usually work for an insurance company or a financial institute such as a bank or mortgage lender. Real Estate Inspectors – Inspectors have the task of evaluating a property for safety and to make sure that it correctly meets with all zoning laws and state regulations. Inspectors can work for a number of organizations such as financial institutions or local and state governments. Real Estate Investor – Investing in real estate is similar to investing in the stock market. Real estate investors will buy a property or a share of a property in the hopes that the property value will later increase and the investor can sell it for a profit. Real Estate Developer – Developers are similar to investors in the sense that they buy a property for profit. But developers will then develop the property by building homes or commercial buildings on it to increase the value and thus the resale price. |
With the wide assortment of careers that you can have in real estate, candidates can get a job in one of the following areas: real estate agent, appraisers, inspectors, investors, and developers.