How Real Estate Helps Modern Moms Rejoin the Workforce

Society seems to expect moms to work like they don’t have kids and parent like they don’t have a job. Finding a balance that allows you to be there for your kids while also having a fulfilling career is tough. And, if you decided to stay home for a few years to enjoy the kiddos (and avoid the excessive daycare costs!), you may have an even more difficult time rejoining the workforce. After all, hiring managers hate to see a gap in your resume, no matter how valid your reason for stepping away from your professional career path.

Interestingly, more and more women are finding that a career in real estate offers a way back into the workforce. In fact, women are currently dominating the real estate industry, partly because this flexible field gives moms a realistic chance to have it all.

In a recent study, we interviewed hundreds of women across the country who have chosen a career in real estate. We wanted to know:

• Why is real estate such an attractive career path for moms?

• Is it possible to complete the necessary real estate courses to earn a real estate license with kids at home?

• And how do moms build their real estate careers while often being the default parent at home?

Here are the insightful answers…

Why is Real Estate Such an Attractive Career Path for Moms?

Of the many reasons moms choose to enter the real estate industry, here are the top three:

1. Flexibility

In our study, 61% of respondents confirmed that the highly flexible nature of real estate was a driving factor in their decision to join the field. Real estate agents typically get to make their own hours, so you can work around school events, kids’ sports, and even unexpected sick days. Plus, you can choose when to step away from the field and when to return. For example, of our respondents who began a career in real estate after having kids, 74% took a leave of absence beyond parental leave to give their growing family more time to adjust before returning to work.

2. Income Potential

Because agents are paid on commission rather than earning a salary or hourly rate, your income potential is essentially limitless. And you’re not limited to earned income; real estate also opens the doors to passive income through real estate investments. Those with children are 53% more likely than those without to want to establish passive income. Between the earned commission income and the passive income opportunities of real estate investing, an incredible 96% of survey respondents report being satisfied with their income from real estate!

3. The Desire to Help People

Many women are natural caregivers and draw satisfaction from helping others. Over half of our survey respondents report that the desire to help people find housing was a driving factor in their choice to join real estate. An impressive 89% of those surveyed report feeling fulfilled in their role as real estate agents.

Accessible Education Helps Moms Get into the Industry

Unlike many white-collar careers, real estate does not require a degree. So you don’t have to go back to school to enter the real estate industry. This is a big deal for moms looking to rejoin the workforce.

If you stayed home for a few years to manage the household and take care of the kids, you may have found that your previous industry evolved substantially in your absence. So even if you find an employer willing to overlook the employment gap, you may have to invest some time in re-learning how things work in your field today. Do you enjoy your old job enough to invest the time in re-learning things? Or would you rather learn a new industry with new opportunities?

In our study, 99% of women found real estate training to be accessible. With online real estate courses, you can complete your real estate course around your schedule. Work at your own pace from the comfort of home or directly from your phone while you wait for soccer practice to end!

Being Present for Your Kids While Building Your Real Estate Career

You never want your children to feel that you’re not around when they need you. But many working parents don’t have a choice; they need to be in the office from 9-5 regardless of what’s going on with the kids.

However, real estate agents can be present with the kids while building a successful real estate career. Of those surveyed, 61% reported that a flexible schedule gives them more time to spend with their families. In addition to the relationship benefits of spending quality time together, a flexible work schedule can also save money on daycare costs. In fact, 62% of those with a flexible schedule save money on childcare.

Real estate agents have the opportunity to plan their work around their family schedules. For example, they can stay home with little kids during the day, and then take evening listing appointments once their partner gets home. Or they can arrange showings during the day when the kids are at school.

You can even have the kids join in. Let them help you distribute flyers or ask your teen to help you with your social media marketing. As one mom noted, “Things don't always have to be perfect or predictable for you to be a good parent and effective real estate agent.”

Start Your Move to Real Estate Today!

One key takeaway from our survey of women in real estate is that 86% wish they had started working in real estate earlier. If you’re thinking about starting your real estate career, today is the day to take your first step. Enroll in your online real estate course and get ready to enjoy the benefits of a career with high flexibility, income, and satisfaction.