If you're considering a midlife career change, becoming a Georgia real estate agent could be the perfect choice. Here’s why:
You can be your own boss.
You can work from home.
You have unlimited earning potential.
You can learn the industry quickly.
You get a sense of satisfaction in helping people find their ideal home.
If you’re unsure if a midlife career change is the best move, here’s what to consider.
Why Real Estate Is a Great Midlife Career Choice
Let’s look at some of the reasons real estate is a great midlife career choice in Georgia.
1. Flexible Schedule – Be Your Own Boss
You have the freedom to control your schedule as a real estate agent. If you want to up your income, take on more listings. If you’re ahead of your earnings target, you could work fewer hours or take some time off.
2. Work From Home
As an independent real estate agent, you'll only have to leave your home to meet clients for property viewings or when you have an open house. You can do much of your work telephonically or online. You can research properties online, email clients information on properties, and hold phone or video calls with buyers and sellers.
3. Professional Development
Entering a new industry expands your skills and professional network. You will learn how Georgia's real estate industry works and take an exam to qualify as a licensed agent.
You can also become a Realtor by joining the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which gives you access to additional resources, training courses, and networking opportunities.
4. Unlimited Income Potential
Real estate agents don’t earn hourly rates or fixed monthly salaries; they earn commissions on the properties they sell. Therefore, income can vary broadly depending on the market you specialize in.
Real estate agents in Georgia earn an average salary of $64,410 compared to the average salary in Georgia of $49,163.
5. No Degree Needed
You don’t need an expensive four-year college degree to become a Georgia real estate agent. You can take a short course to become a real estate agent, which can be completed in just 75 hours. Learn more about how to become a Georgia real estate agent.
6. You Get to Help People
If you enjoy helping people, you may find a real estate career very satisfying. You'll help people find that perfect starter home or their dream home with all the bells and whistles. Either way, you’ll share the joy when you hand over the keys to thrilled homeowners.
Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Midlife – Is It The Right Time? Here’s What The Data Says.
The average age at which Americans change their careers is 39, according to research conducted by online recruitment services company Zippia. And a significant number (21%) of employees aged 40-49 consider changing careers.
With many Americans delaying retirement, switching careers around the midlife mark can give you new goals to strive for and a renewed energy. The real estate industry could be the ideal pre-retirement career. It offers flexibility, allowing you to work fewer hours as you wind down to retirement.
The National Association of Realtors 2024 Member Profile report shows that the median age of Realtors was 55.
Here is what else the report shows:
73% of realtors said they would continue working in real estate for the next two years.
Sixty-five percent of Realtors were licensed sales agents, 22% held broker licenses, and 17% held broker associate licenses.
Sixteen percent of Realtors had a previous career in sales, retail, management, business, or finance. Only 6% reported that real estate was their first career, proving that you don’t need prior experience in real estate to become a successful agent.
The outlook for Georgia’s real estate market is looking rosy. Statistica predicts that Georgia’s real estate market could grow by 5.86% annually from 2024 to 2029, resulting in a market volume of $231 billion by 2029. This upswing in the market means now is a great time to kick off a real estate career in Georgia.
Other Career Choices You Can Pursue With a Real Estate License
Once you have a real estate license, there are other property careers you can pursue. These include:
Real estate appraiser: A real estate appraiser determines the value of properties. They have an understanding of the principles of appraisal, good math skills, and some knowledge of accounting and economics.
Escrow agent: An escrow agent is a person or entity that holds funds for the buyer or seller before closing. At closing, they'll distribute the funds to each party accordingly.
Broker: A broker is a licensed real estate professional who manages other real estate agents. A broker ensures that real estate transactions meet legal requirements, all monies are recorded and reported, and all paperwork is correct and complete.
Property manager: A property manager manages a real estate investment on behalf of a landlord. Their duties include finding tenants, drafting lease agreements, managing the maintenance of the property, and overseeing rent collection.
Real estate marketing specialist: A real estate marketing specialist manages the marketing efforts of a group of real estate agents, primarily focused on improving their online presence. Their duties include creating digital marketing content designed to boost search rankings and analyzing online marketing analytics.
Midlife Is a Great Time to Begin a Real Estate Career in Georgia
Starting a real estate career at 40 or older is easily within reach. Not only will you learn new skills, but you can leverage your valuable life experiences and hard-won wisdom to build a lucrative career.
Updated 8/26/24