When you think about it, being a teacher and a real estate agent have a lot in common. Real estate agents guide buyers and sellers through a complex process, educating clients on the necessary steps and best practices along the way. But is it possible to be a teacher and real estate agent? Let’s dive into this topic, exploring the skills teachers bring to the real estate industry and strategies for effectively balancing both careers.
Key Takeaways
Real estate is an ideal side hustle for teachers. It offers flexible scheduling that aligns with teaching hours and significant income potential. With Florida’s busiest real estate season during the summer, teachers can capitalize on their extended breaks to grow their real estate business.
Teachers bring valuable skills to the real estate industry, including communication, time management, multitasking, problem-solving, and empathy. These abilities, combined with their extensive community networks, position educators for success in real estate.
Teachers can begin their real estate journey by meeting Florida’s basic licensing requirements, completing a 63-hour pre-licensing course, passing a background check, and obtaining a license after passing the state exam. Choosing the right brokerage for part-time agents is key to building a successful side career.
With structured routines, clear client communication, and leveraging downtime during the school year, teachers can effectively balance both professions. By setting realistic goals and prioritizing relationships, they can achieve steady success while continuing to inspire in the classroom.
Teachers and Side Gigs
It’s no secret that teachers don’t choose education for the paycheck. Unfortunately, many educators must supplement their income while shaping the next generation.
In recent years, side gigs have become a common way for teachers to boost their earnings. While some choose to tutor, this side job often lacks the adult interaction many educators crave. Others turn to driving for services like DoorDash or Uber, but these options may not appeal to those looking for a more meaningful pursuit.
Real estate has emerged as an increasingly popular side hustle for teachers. It offers both flexibility and lucrative earning potential. This blog explores why real estate is an ideal side gig for educators and how they can successfully balance these two fulfilling careers.
But can a teacher be a real estate agent? They certainly have the required skills, which we will outline in the next section.
Skills Teachers Bring to Real Estate
Teachers bring a wealth of transferable skills to the real estate industry, making the transition seamless:
- Strong communication: Teachers excel at explaining complex concepts, a vital skill for guiding clients through the buying or selling process.
- Time management: Managing teaching responsibilities equips educators to handle their time effectively in real estate.
- Multi-tasking: Teachers are skilled at juggling multiple priorities, which is a critical ability for agents managing several clients at once.
- Problem-solving: Educators are adept at finding creative solutions, which is an asset when addressing client concerns or challenges.
- Empathy and patience: These qualities help teachers build trust and foster lasting professional relationships with clients.
In addition to these skills, teachers often have extensive community connections, which are valuable resources for establishing a network and getting started in real estate.
Libby Winsink of Serenity Realty started as a teacher with a real estate side gig. She spent a year teaching fifth grade while doing real estate part time.
Winsink found that many of her teaching skills were also helpful in her real estate career.
“I found that many skills from teaching, such as time management, attention to detail, problem solving, and a genuine desire to assist others, seamlessly applied to real estate,” Winsink said.
How to Be a Teacher and a Real Estate Agent
Can a teacher also be a real estate agent? Balancing teaching with a real estate career might seem challenging, but it’s entirely achievable with thoughtful planning. Here are some tips for managing both professions effectively:
1. Create a schedule
Set clear boundaries for how much time you can dedicate to your real estate business without affecting your teaching responsibilities. Initially, you might only have an hour a day to devote to real estate, and that’s perfectly okay.
“The evenings, weekends, and summer was my ‘real estate time,'” Winsink said. “I was lucky to have a two-hour block for planning and lunch, which I divided between preparing lesson plans and dedicating time to my real estate work. I would often use the last half hour to catch up on missed calls and emails. With my teaching day ending at 3:30, I had ample time in the evenings for property showings and necessary paperwork.”
2. Use technology
Use apps and tools to stay organized and streamline scheduling and client communication. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry—your brokerage can guide you on the best proptech tools available. For example, consider creating an email drip campaign to automatically send messages tailored to clients’ needs and their position in the sales cycle.
3. Work as part of a team
As a teacher, your availability may be limited to evenings, weekends, and school breaks. Full-time agents might welcome you as part of their team since you can handle tasks during times they prefer to take off.
4. Choose the right brokerage
Real estate agents are required to work under a broker’s supervision. Look for a brokerage that provides resources for learning and growth while supporting part-time agents in building their careers. It’s important to note that not every brokerage is willing to hire part-time agents.
Why Real Estate Is an Attractive Side Gig for Teachers
Real estate offers several benefits for teachers.
1. Income potential
Teachers can significantly increase their income with commissions from real estate transactions.
Commissions are typically based on a percentage of a property’s sale price. While negotiable, the average real estate commission in Florida is 5.53%, which is typically divided between the buyer’s and seller’s agents and their brokerages.
According to Zillow, the average home value in Florida is $389,387. This means that real estate professionals earn an average of $21,533 per transaction. Even if your commission split is only 50%, you would bring home $5,383 for an average transaction.
The amount you make your first year may be nothing to brag about, but real estate professionals typically do better as they gain experience and build their networks.
According to Salary.com, public school teachers working full-time in Florida earn $56,844. You don’t need to be a math teacher to see that real estate can be more lucrative than education.
2. Flexible scheduling
Real estate is an ideal side hustle because it allows you to work around teaching hours. Most clients are only available to meet during evenings and weekends, which aligns perfectly with a teacher’s schedule. Additionally, Florida’s real estate market is busiest during the summer months, aligning well with teachers’ extended breaks in June, July, and August.
3. Provides an opportunity to learn a new industry
Teachers often excel in their profession because they are passionate about learning and personal growth. Real estate offers opportunities to develop valuable skills in business, marketing, and negotiation. Many educators discover they genuinely enjoy taking real estate courses and expanding their knowledge in this dynamic field.
Keep in mind that real estate is a commissioned sales job. Jeff Lichtenstein, President & Broker of Echo Fine Properties, suggests that teachers get their feet wet by working in an outreach sales position. “See if you like it and are good at it. The organization, CRM follow up, and creativity are things teachers excel at. Outreach sales is a wildcard,” Lichetenstein said.
Real Estate Licensing Requirements in Florida
Both teachers and real estate agents must be licensed in Florida. Here are the requirements for getting a real estate license.
Step 1: Meet Florida real estate license basic requirements.
If you are teaching, you already meet the basic real estate license requirements in Florida.
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a U.S. Social Security Number
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
While U.S. citizenship is not required, noncitizens must have legal permanent residency and a valid Social Security number.
Step 2: Complete pre-licensing courses
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires real estate agents to complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course from a state-approved real estate school.
When choosing a school, consider its reputation for quality education, as the knowledge gained will help you pass the licensing exam and succeed in your career. Select a course format that fits your learning style—self-paced online, live-stream, or in-person options are available, and some schools offer classes in both English and Spanish.
Step 3: Pass a background check
A background check is required before proceeding with the licensing process. To schedule a fingerprinting appointment, visit a LiveScan location or the DBPR headquarters in Tallahassee. Bring two forms of ID to your appointment.
Step 4: Submit your Florida real estate license application
Once fingerprinting is complete, create an account with the DBPR to access the online licensing application. Provide your legal name, Social Security number, and other required information.
Step 5: Pass the Florida real estate salesperson exam
Schedule your exam with Pearson Vue, either online or by calling 1-888-204-6230. The exam costs $36.75 and lasts 3 ½ hours. To pass, you must score at least 75/100.
Test results are provided immediately upon completion, and remote proctoring is available for added convenience.
Step 6: Connect with a real estate brokerage
Florida real estate agents must work under the supervision of a broker. To find the right fit, attend career fairs at local real estate schools or network with brokerages.
Balancing Teaching and Real Estate
Success in both roles depends on finding the right balance. Teachers can achieve this by establishing structured routines, clearly communicating their availability to clients, and utilizing downtime during the school year to focus on real estate activities. Building a strong referral network and nurturing client relationships can also help teachers maintain consistent success in their side hustle.
With their versatile skill sets, teachers are well-equipped to excel in the real estate industry. By setting achievable goals and managing their time wisely, educators can reap the benefits of a real estate side gig while continuing to make a meaningful impact in the classroom.
Are you excited to earn extra income working as a real estate agent? Get started on your real estate courses today through Gold Coast Schools. Gold Coast Schools offers a wide variety of real estate courses. You can get your educational requirements out of the way in four weekends. Get started today!