30+ High Paying Side Hustles for Realtors (Ultimate 2022 List)

If you’re a real estate agent looking to make more money, picking up a side hustle can makes sense.

While the average real estate agent makes around $95,000 annually, starting a side hustle can be a great way to make extra income.

In this post, I’ll explore the best side hustles for real estate agents, how much money you can make, and more. Let’s get started!

30 Best Side Hustles for Real Estate Professionals

There are plenty of side hustles for real estate agents to consider. Some methods might be easier than others but you’ll want to find something that suits your interests.

Start a Blog

Starting a blog can be the perfect side hustle for many realtors. While blogging is anything but a get rich quick scheme, it can be a great way to make passive income after a few months.

When it comes to blogging, you’ll want to think about what you’re interested in and focus on creating content that people want to read. Too many bloggers will write about things that they want to focus on only to realize that others might not be interested.

Starting a blog is extremely easy and the cost to start a blog is minimal. To get started, you’ll need to purchase a domain name. My favorite platform is Namecheap. You can buy a domain for less than $15 each year.

Next, you’ll need to find a hosting package for your blog. My favorite host is SiteGround. They offer extremely fast hosting at an affordable price point.

After purchasing hosting, you can install a CMS like WordPress to make managing your blog easy.

Finally, it’s time to start creating content for your blog and promoting it for others to find.

Blogs can make money in a variety of ways. For example, display advertising and affiliate marketing are two of the most common ways blogs make money.

Blogging can take some time to get up and running, but it can be a great way to make extra income once you have a few months under your belt.

Each new post you publish has the ability to generate extra income for your finances. Your efforts will begin to compound exponentially and your blog can become a steady stream of income over time. It’s possible to make over 6-figures from your online business.

Check out my post on how to start a blog to get started!

Become a Property Manager

Property management can be an excellent side hustle for real estate agents.

Because you already understand the housing market and the real estate industry, you’ll be in a great position to start managing properties.

With this side hustle, you’ll be tasked with finding tenants for rental properties, collecting rent payments, and maintaining the property by completing maintenance requests to ensure it is in good condition.

A property management side hustle can easily turn into a thriving full-time business that doesn’t require a significant amount of money to get started.

Many property management companies will charge around 10% of each month’s rent to make money. For example, if you’re managing a property that charges $1,500 per month in rent, you would collect $150 per month as the property manager.

In addition, it’s common to also charge a fee for finding tenants. This can be as much as 25% of the first month’s rent.

While this might not seem like a massive income, property managers can go months without having to do much work at all. The majority of your work will be spent finding contractors to complete work and dealing with tenants.

By managing a few properties your income will begin to rise and your side business can turn into a full-time job.

The best part of this real estate side hustle is that you don’t actually own any real estate with property management. Instead, you’ll work with property owners who are looking to make money from their investments. This means there is very little risk for your real estate business.

The video below is a great resource for starting a property management company. Give it a watch!

Sell Stock Photos

Selling stock photos can be a great side hustle for real estate agents.

As a realtor, you likely have access to some amazing photos of properties. Why not sell those photos to stock photo agencies?

Selling stock photos can be a great way to make passive income. For each photo you sell, you can expect to make anywhere from $0.25 to $5.00, depending on the agency you sell them to and the resolution of the photo.

You can use sites like Shutterstock to sell your photos and make money with this side gig.

Take Online Surveys

Taking online surveys is a simple way to earn extra money whenever you have free time.

While you’re not going to make millions taking surveys, it can be a great way to make some extra cash.

As a bonus, there are many apps that will give you free money just for signing up. For example, using a platform like InboxDollars will give you $5 completely free.

Some of my favorite survey sites that pay cash include:

Become a Real Estate Investor

With your experience in real estate, another way to make extra money is by investing in real estate.

Real estate investors can make great money from their investments.

There are plenty of methods to invest in real estate but some of my favorites include:

• Investing in crowdfunded real estate with Fundrise
• Purchasing a rental property
• Invest in a real estate investment trust
• Invest in commercial real estate with Crowdstreet

Each method of real estate investing has benefits and drawbacks.

For example, using Fundrise is one of the easiest ways to make money with real estate, but the returns are slightly less than owning rental properties.

Owning a rental property can produce the largest returns and earn steady cash flow , but it will require the most work and money to get started.

Purchasing long-term rentals can help you save money on taxes because your mortgage interest and property taxes can be deductible in some cases.

Real estate investing is a great way for real estate agents to take advantage of multiple income streams and make more cash.

Want to invest in real estate with just $5? Register for Acorns and get $10 completely free to invest in a REIT!

Deliver Food with Doordash

Another great side hustle for real estate agents is delivering food with platforms like Doordash.

With Doordash you can make over $20 per hour delivering food to customers in your local area.

This is a great opportunity for real estate agents who are looking for a flexible side hustle that they can do on their own time while scheduling showings in between deliveries.

Deliver Groceries with Instacart

Just like Doordash, delivering groceries is another side hustle for real estate professionals looking to make some extra cash.

With Instacart, you can make up to $25 per hour delivering groceries.

This is one of the easiest real estate side hustles if you own a vehicle and have a mobile phone.

Check out these Instacart hacks to make more money!

Start a Referral Business

As a real estate agent, you rely on finding new clients to make money and grow your business.

If you have skills in marketing and networking, you can start a referral business (this is also called lead generation).

How does a referral business work?

In simplest terms, a real estate agent will offer real estate clients to another agent in exchange for a smaller commission.

If you don’t prefer working directly with people or the real estate process in general, working as a referral agent can be one of the best real estate side hustles.

Sell Online Courses

Selling online courses is a great way to grow your side income as a real estate agent.

With this side hustle, you can create a course on anything related to real estate.

Some of my favorite online courses topics to teach include:

• The basics of real estate and industry trends
• How to sell a home by owner
• Real estate investing for beginners

Creating and selling an online course can be a great way to make some passive income if you’re willing to put in the work.

You’ll also need to think about how you will market and sell your course. Unfortunately, once your course goes live, that doesn’t necessarily mean the sales will come with it.

Most online course creators will leverage an existing audience that they’ve already created (like a blog or social media presence) but there are other methods to consider.

One method is to run Facebook ads or other digital advertising campaigns to your course. This will cost you some money upfront, but it can be very profitable if you have the funds to maintain it.

Another option is utilizing affiliate marketing to work with other content creators who might have the audience you’re looking for. In this scenario, you will pay the other creator a small commission for each sale they make. This is a low risk way to earn income from your course.

If you’re looking for a side hustle you can start with no money, this is for you!

Estate Sales

Whenever a home is sold, the new homeowners may not want all of the previous owner’s belongings. To help them get rid of these items, an estate sale is often held.

They then put a price on each item and hold a public sale, similar to a garage or yard sale.

Homeowners can hire you to hold estate sales for them if it’s something they don’t want to bother with.

Sell Digital Products

Digital products can be another profitable side hustle for realtors to make extra money.

There are plenty of options available but selling products like a moving checklist or a home sale prep checklist could be great products.

When selling digital products, it’s important to examine ways you can sell your products like through your website, email list, or social media accounts.

This is a tremendous way to earn passive income with an unlimited income potential. 

Home Sale Prep

Before a home gets listed for sale, there’s a good chance the homeowners will want to do some work to make it look its best.

This is where you could come in and offer your services as a home sale prep expert.

You could help them declutter, stage, and deep clean their home so that it’s ready to be shown to potential buyers.

This is a service that doesn’t require a real estate license but could still be very profitable.

Proofreading

Proofreading is an easy freelance job that anyone can do including realtors.

There are plenty of online proofreading jobs available but you could also offer your services to people in your network.

The amount of money you can make will depend on how fast you can proofread and the type of document you’re proofreading but in most cases you can earn between $20 and $25 per hour.

If you’re looking to get started, check out the Proofread Anywhere course to learn how to build a profitable proofreading business.

Real Estate Coaching

Many real estate investors are looking for insights into a specific area or location before making a large investment.

As a realtor, you likely have vast knowledge about your area that could be very valuable to potential investors.

You could offer your services as a real estate coach and help them make informed decisions about their investments.

Rent Out Short Term Rentals

Short term rentals are an entirely different ballgame when it comes to real estate but they can still be profitable.

If you have a vacation home or an investment property, you could list it on Airbnb or a similar site and rent it out to travelers.

You’ll need to make sure you’re familiar with the laws in your area but this can be a great way to make some extra money.

Start a Notary Service

Notary services are in high demand, and many real estate agents can make a great side income by starting their own notary business.

The process of becoming a notary is relatively simple, and you can often find information on your state’s notary website.

Once you’re a notary, you can market your services to real estate agents, businesses, and the general public.

Stage Homes

Whenever selling a home, staging the property is an important step to get the most value for your property.

This means having the appropriate furnishings to make the home look as nice as possible to entice potential buyers.

But many owners don’t know how nor do they have the time. This gives you a great opportunity to make money as a home stager.

As a home stager, you can choose to charge by the hour or by the job with many jobs bringing in a few hundred dollars for your time.

Keep in mind, as a home stager you will need to be knowledgeable about what looks good and what doesn’t. So, if you’re not familiar with design or interior decorating, you might want to brush up on your skills before starting this side hustle.

Start a Podcast

Podcasting is a fun side hustle that can be very profitable for some people.

Starting a podcast is easier than you think and it won’t cost a fortune to get started. You’ll just need a computer, decent microphone, and some basic audio editing software to create a high-quality podcast.

The most difficult part of making money from a podcast is growing your listeners. This takes a lot of time and effort, but it can be done with the right content and marketing.

Networking with other podcasters and being a guest on other shows is an excellent way to grow your following.

Once you have a sizable audience, you can start to sell sponsorships, advertising, and even merchandise.

If you’re looking for a side hustle that’s creative and can be profitable, starting a podcast is a great option.

Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel is a great way to share your knowledge with the world and make some money in the process.

For people in real estate, there are many different types of content you can consider. For example, showing others how to stage a home, how to find the right real estate agent, or what to look for in a home are all good content ideas for your channel.

Just like starting a podcast, starting a YouTube channel is relatively easy and doesn’t require a lot of money to get started. There are even some ways to make money on YouTube without creating videos. You’ll just need a good camera and microphone, as well as some basic video editing software.

Once your channel has grown large enough, you can begin to monetize your efforts with YouTube ads and affiliate marketing.

Some of the top YouTube creators have made tens of millions from their efforts so there’s no reason you can do the same.

Work as a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are needed by many online businesses and entrepreneurs who don’t have the time to do everything themselves.

With this digital side hustle, you’ll be tasked with doing a wide range of tasks such as answering emails, managing social media, updating website content, and more.

One of the best parts about working as a virtual assistant is that it’s completely online – meaning you can do it from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and internet connection.

The amount of money you can make will vary depending on your skills and capabilities but it’s possible to earn over $20 per hour with this side hustle.

Flip Homes

Flipping homes is a great way to make some serious money if you have the knowledge, skills, and funds to start.

With house flipping, you’ll start by finding a distressed property (usually through online listings or by driving around neighborhoods).

You’ll then purchase the home and do all the repairs and renovations needed to get it ready for sale.

Once it’s ready, you’ll put it back on the market and sell it for a profit.

The amount of profit you make will depend on the amount of work you’re willing to put in, the market conditions at the time, and your negotiating skills.

Successful flippers are capable of making 50% returns on their money in less than a few months depending on the real estate market. This is a lucrative side hustle for many real estate investors and agents to make money in addition to their day job.

Check out the video below for more help flipping homes!

Freelance Writing

While freelance writing isn’t for everyone, it’s a good option to grow your side income in addition to your real estate business.

Freelance writing requires you to have strong writing skills, be able to meet deadlines, and have some knowledge in a particular field (such as real estate).

However, don’t get hung up on your writing skills. Like any other skill, as you practice you’ll become better and better.

There are many different types of writing jobs you can find online, such as writing website content, creating blog posts, writing promotional copy, and more.

The amount of money you can make with this side gig will vary depending on your experience and the type of writing you’re completing but it’s possible to make up to $1 per word written.

For example, a 750-word blog post could net you $750 for experienced writers. For more novice writers, you can expect to earn anywhere from $.10 to $.50 per word.

Start a Real Estate Brokerage

Starting your own real estate brokerage is a great way to grow your income and business.

With a brokerage, you’ll be able to take on more clients, make more money, and have more control over your business.

There are a few things you’ll need to do in order to start a brokerage, such as getting a real estate license, finding a space to work, hiring employees, and more.

The amount of money you make with a brokerage will depend on the amount of business you bring in. Because your income will be based on each that is processed through your realtors, it’s wise to hire motivated individuals.

Related: Best Summer Side Hustles to Make Extra Money

Start a Title Company

Starting a title company is a great way to make money in the real estate industry.

As a title company, you’ll be responsible for issuing and managing title insurance policies for your clients.

You’ll also be responsible for ensuring that all the title work is done correctly and that the property is free and clear of any liens or encumbrances.

In order to start a title company, you’ll need to get a license from your state and find a place to work.

The amount of money you make with a title company will depend on the amount of business you bring in. Because your income will be based on each transaction that is processed, it’s important to have a solid marketing plan in place.

Related: Profitable Business Ideas for Anyone to Start

Drive for Uber or Lyft

Working in the gig economy is an easy way to make money in addition to your real estate career.

By driving for a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft you can work your own schedule whenever you have free time.

It’s possible to make over $25 per hour with this side gig making is a solid option to make money as a real estate professional.

Build Websites for Other Real Estate Agents

Creating a real estate website is easier than you think, but with so many real estate professionals not understanding how the web works, this can be an excellent way to make supplemental income.

You can start by making websites for other agents in your brokerage. If there are a few other agents that don’t currently have a website, offer to make one for them at a discount to build your portfolio.

After you’ve built a solid portfolio, you can approach other agents outside of your brokerage to see if they need your services.

Create an Advertising Business for Real Estate Agents

Half of becoming a successful real estate agent is knowing how to market your services.

With so many realtors, competition can be fierce. If you have extensive knowledge of marketing and know how to get clients for agents – this can be a profound way to make extra cash.

Become a House Sitter

Working as a house sitter can be a great way to generate passive income.

When you become a house sitter, you’ll be responsible for watching and taking care of someone’s home while they’re away.

This could include checking the mail and taking care of the lawn, or it could be as simple as making sure the home is locked up and nothing is damaged.

The amount of money you can make will depend on your location however, it’s not uncommon to make $50 per day or more.

Related: Best Side Hustles for Social Workers

Complete Paid Focus Groups

One great real estate side hustle is taking paid focus groups.

As a focus group participant, you’ll be asked to complete a survey or participate in a discussion about a particular product or service.

You can make as much as $150 per focus group when using platforms like Survey Junkie.

Rent Out a Room in Your Home

If you have a spare bedroom, turn it into cash!

By renting out a room in your home (also called house hacking), you can make passive income each month without having to do any work.

You can easily list your room on websites like Airbnb or VRBO.

It’s important to find good roommates when house hacking as you’ll want to make sure the space is well-maintained and that everyone gets along.

Final Thoughts on the Best Side Hustles for Real Estate Agents

There are plenty of side hustles for real estate agents looking to grow their income and earn extra money.

Between starting a lead generation business, working as a real estate virtual assistant, or working in real estate photography there are plenty of real estate side hustles you can do to grow your income in addition to selling properties.

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