Here’s a question for all working parents: Are you struggling to balance work and family responsibilities? Do you constantly feel like you are being pulled in multiple directions? Does a child’s illness, school holidays, and required work trips send you into a tailspin? Maybe it’s time to get creative and consider other career options.
“The choice between family and career, being a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, doesn’t have to be so black-and-white. It’s about creating a life that’s unique to you and your family.” – Kristin Cavallari
One career option to consider is real estate. Being a real estate agent and a mom means you’ll have a more flexible schedule, so you won’t panic when childcare falls through. You’ll be able to schedule your showings around your teenager’s volleyball games and won’t feel guilty taking time off to read to be a guest reader in your 1st grader’s classroom.
Is real estate a good career for a mom (or dad)? Let’s consider the pros and cons of this career option to see if it’s a good fit for your family.
Key Takeaways
- A career in real estate provides a flexible schedule, allowing moms to balance work and family responsibilities. Agents can plan showings around school events and adjust to unexpected family needs, making it an ideal option for parents.
- Becoming a real estate agent in Florida is affordable and fast, with licensing requirements that can be completed in as little as 1-2 months. This makes it accessible for moms seeking a career change or additional income without needing a college degree.
- Real estate agents typically earn commissions based on property sales, offering significant earning potential. Many agents balance real estate with other jobs, and moms can use this career as a part-time or side gig while raising their children.
- Moms bring valuable skills like time management, communication, empathy, and problem-solving to the real estate industry. These abilities help them excel in client interactions, negotiations, and the complexities of the real estate market.
The Appeal of Real Estate for Moms
Here’s what we know about the demographic characteristics of REALTORS®, or members of the National Association of REALTORS®.
- 65% of all REALTORS® are female
- 43% of all new REALTORS® (in the industry for less than two years) are 39 years old or younger
- Only half of new REALTORS® have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- 45% of new REALTORS® also have another job while working in real estate
Why does being a real estate agent and a mom work so well for many?
Real estate agents have a flexible work schedule.
Life is unpredictable – especially for parents. Your work may be interrupted by stomach bugs, school cancellations, or playground falls. Having the flexible schedule of a real estate agent allows you to handle these minor emergencies more easily than someone with a 9 to 5 job.
Real estate can be highly lucrative – even when working part-time.
Most real estate agents don’t earn a regular salary. Instead, real estate salespersons typically earn commissions based on the property’s sale price. However, some work in property management, allowing them to earn a salary and commissions. In fact, there are a variety of career options for Floridians with a real estate license.
A real estate agent’s income in Florida varies considerably based on years in the industry, niche, and skill level. Here’s the latest data on how much real estate agents make in FL.
Impressed by these potential earnings? It’s also worth noting that according to the aforementioned NAR member report, REALTORS® work an average of 35 hours per week.
Real estate has a low barrier to entry.
While some lucrative careers require expensive training programs and college degrees, you can become a real estate agent in Florida in as fast as one to two months. And you can get top-notch real estate education and training for less than $800.
Real estate makes an excellent side gig or part-time job.
Are you a single mom or need an additional source of income to cover the cost of living in Florida? Real estate makes an excellent side gig. Residential real estate agents often work evenings and weekends, so you can keep your regular job while working part-time as a real estate agent for extra income.
Are you a stay-at-home mom who would like to work a few hours a week to bring in extra income? Instead of taking a part-time job with no opportunities for advancement, consider investing your time in a real estate business. You can get licensed, grow your network, learn about the industry, and then transition to the industry full-time as soon as your children are more independent.
Transferrable Skills Moms Bring to Real Estate
As a mom, you have the necessary qualifications to seamlessly pivot into a real estate career. Here are some key skills moms often bring to the table.
Exceptional time management
Balancing school pickups, extracurricular activities, and family obligations requires stellar time management. In real estate, this skill helps agents effectively prioritize tasks, schedule showings, meet deadlines, and stay on top of paperwork, all while maintaining client satisfaction.
Strong communication skills
From negotiating with toddlers to coordinating family schedules, moms are skilled communicators. These abilities are invaluable when negotiating deals, keeping clients informed, and building relationships with other industry professionals.
Empathy and understanding
As a mom, you’re used to listening, understanding, and empathizing with your child’s needs. In real estate, these qualities help you connect with clients, understand their goals, and guide them through one of the most significant decisions of their lives.
Organization and attention to detail
Planning family vacations, meal prepping, and keeping track of appointments require attention to detail. These organizational skills are essential in real estate, whether managing multiple listings, coordinating inspections, or ensuring accurate contracts.
Adaptability and problem-solving
Parenting teaches you to adapt to changing circumstances and come up with creative solutions on the fly. In real estate, you’ll encounter unexpected challenges, from last-minute changes in buyer preferences to navigating tight market conditions. Your ability to think quickly and adjust will be an asset.
Is Real Estate Right for You?
Real estate could be the perfect fit if you’re looking for a career that offers flexibility, financial potential, and the opportunity to leverage the skills you’ve honed as a parent. However, it’s important to weigh the demands of the job, such as inconsistent income and the need for self-motivation, against the benefits.
With the right approach, real estate can be a rewarding way to balance work and family while building a successful business and fulfilling career.
Balancing Motherhood and Real Estate
Gold Coast Schools alumna Sasha Valdes recently earned recognition as a RISMedia Rookie of the Year award finalist. Her journey into real estate began during a challenging chapter of her life. Living in Colorado as a new mom with two young children, Valdes was struggling financially and emotionally. “Postpartum had hit me like a train wreck,” she shared. “I was just grasping onto any little bit of light that I could find.”
That light appeared during a visit to South Florida, where a friend’s enthusiasm for his real estate career inspired her. Encouraged by the possibilities, Valdes and her family made a bold decision to leave Colorado, move to Florida, and pursue a new beginning in real estate.
The transition wasn’t easy, but Valdes quickly discovered that the career suited her talents. With determination and hard work, she built a thriving business. Now a successful agent at Keller Williams Realty in Florida, Valdes hopes to inspire other moms to embrace change and take charge of their futures. “I want to be a shining star for other moms who are looking at a career change,” she said. “Real estate can be a wonderful new beginning. Truly, just know that you are enough to start over whenever you want in life.”
Valdes offers this encouragement to all moms considering a leap into real estate: “You can do it if you believe you can. If you’re looking for a career in real estate and believe in yourself, you are one hundred percent capable of doing it—and doing it with grace.”
Steps to Get Started in Real Estate in Florida
You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid U.S. Social Security number, and possess a high school diploma or GED to become a real estate agent in Florida. While U.S. citizenship is not required, noncitizens must have legal permanent residency and a Social Security number.
Here’s how to become a real estate agent in Florida:
Step 1: Complete pre-licensing courses
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires a 63-hour course from a state-approved real estate school. Choose a reputable school that offers flexible formats, such as online, livestream, or in-person classes. Some schools provide courses in both English and Spanish.
Step 2: Pass a background check
Complete a background check by getting fingerprinted at a LiveScan location or DBPR’s Tallahassee office. Bring two forms of ID to your appointment. Fingerprinting services are also available at Gold Coast Schools for $83.
Step 3: Submit your license application
After your fingerprints are processed, create an account with the DBPR to submit your real estate sales associate application. Use your legal name, Social Security number, and background information. The application fee is $39.37, though military members and spouses may qualify for a fee waiver.
Step 4: Pass the licensing exam
Schedule your exam with Pearson Vue online or by calling 1-888-204-6230. The exam costs $36.75, lasts 3 ½ hours, and requires a score of 75/100 to pass. Bring two forms of valid ID, your Authorization Notice, and Certificate of Pre-Licensing Completion to the test center. Remote online proctoring is also available.
Step 5: Connect with a Florida real estate brokerage
After passing the exam, you must work under a licensed brokerage. Many new agents find brokerages by attending career fairs hosted by real estate schools.
Follow the lead of many successful Florida real estate agents by becoming a real estate agent while raising your kids. Gold Coast Schools can help you with your career goals. We offer all the prerequisites you’ll need to get licensed, and you can take your courses in-person, via livestream, or at your own pace online.