4 Reasons Why Your Job In Real Estate Is Awesome

Every employee should love their industry as much as the average real estate agent.

Over the years, real estate has proven to be one of the top industries to work in. According to Forbes, real estate was the second happiest industry to work in 2016. According to the Top National Workplaces survey by WorkplaceDynamics, real estate was the best industry to work in 2013 . The survey polled 1 million employees to generate rankings of the best workplaces and industries for employment.

We couldn’t agree more! Here’s a look at our four favorite reasons to celebrate a career in real estate.

1. Agents can look at houses all day long.

Agents don’t just drive past a “for sale” home and wonder what lurks behind that screen door. With interested clients in tow, agents spend most of their time exploring properties.

If the idea of looking at houses all day long and guiding clients through their options of best places to live doesn’t excite you, real estate definitely isn’t the field for you.

But for those whose dreams are populated by picket fences, leaded windows, French doors and soaking tubs, working in real estate is an unbelievable thrill. Getting up close and personal with beautiful (and even not-so-beautiful) homes every day is a perk that most real estate agents never tire of.

2. Real estate provides flexibility with hours and location.

Full-time agents can’t usually vacation at a moment’s notice. Real estate is a time-sensitive field, and most clients like to receive constant updates.

But agents do often have more wiggle room in their schedules than other professionals. Many agents work from home, and those who don’t usually don’t have regular office hours.

With that level of freedom, agents can return calls after dropping the kids off at school. They can handle paperwork during naptime. It’s an extra ounce of liberty that makes it easier for agents to maintain a life outside of the office.

3. Agents are (basically) self-employed.

On that same note, most agents work as independent contractors. Working under that title, agents are basically self-employed. As with any career choice, working as an independent contractor has its pros and cons:

Pros:

• You set your own hours.
• You are (basically) your own boss.
• Your salary has no cap.

Cons:

• You’ll have limited guidance and support as an independent contractor.
• You’re not assured a regular paycheck.
• You won’t typically receive any benefits (insurance, paid time off, etc.)

For those “lone rangers” who love the freedom of self-employment, working as a real estate agent can be a perfect career move. But if you’re not self-motivated or driven to succeed, life as an agent is probably not a good fit.

4. Real estate is practically a “helping” profession.

For those who do it well, real estate is truly a “helping” profession. Real estate transactions are often complex. Guiding buyers and sellers on the thorny path to closing day requires several traits that are characteristic of other helping professions:

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to inspire trust
• Power to remain calm during a crisis
• Ability to give and receive objective feedback
• Sensitivity and maturity

Real estate agents who possess these skills can build valuable relationships with clients and co-workers. And it’s those relationships turn a real estate career into a truly rewarding one: both emotionally and monetarily.

What's more, real estate agents with knowledge of the VA home loan program can better serve military homebuyers by more smoothly guiding them through the VA homebuying process.Learn more about the benefits of using a Veteran-friendly real estate agent or how to become one.