Retired or Sick and Tired: A Career in Real Estate May be Just What the Doctor Ordered (Updated 2022)

seniors career in real estate

Retired or Sick and Tired: A Career in Real Estate May be Just What the Doctor Ordered


Article updated 04-07-2022.

Summary: 
  
Retired or Sick and Tired: A Career in Real Estate Maybe Just What the Doctor Ordered
 
real estate  careers for seniors

Despite laws, and credit counselors preventing age discrimination, many older workers feel pressured to retire or, worse, wind up the victim of 
“position elimination” as their Golden Years draw near.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average licensed agent is 53-years-old. And with a median salary of more than $40,000 per year and relatively few barriers to entry, a career in real estate is the perfect alternative – and the perfect fit – for many older workers. Here’s why: 


Low-cost education

Obtaining the academic credentials required to become a licensed realtor is considerably less expensive than other professional positions. In California, for instance, it costs around $600 for a state-approved real estate education program. Licensing fees range from $200-$300.


No fancy office is required

Most people already have virtually everything they need to launch this new career. Emerging agents need a clean and reliable vehicle, phone, computer, and access to a fax machine.


Real estate offers schedule flexibility

Real estate is not a 40-hour-per-week 9-to-5 job. Agents can choose when and where they work, which allows time to enjoy personal pursuits such as golf or simply spending time with grandchildren.


Seniors likely already have extensive knowledge of their area

Realtors need to be familiar with their hometown and seniors usually fit this bill perfectly. Someone who’s been in an area for 15 or 20 years knows which neighborhoods are best for commute times,

crime rates, and access to parks and recreational amenities


New social connections keep the brain on track

As an agent, seniors can engage in the community while helping neighbors solve their housing conundrums. For many older Realtors, the process of putting a family in the right home and neighborhood is a huge boost to their mood, too! And, since showing homes require lots of walking, agents get plenty of

exercise.


Obtain a real estate license

Most states require per-licensing courses that consist of between 40 and 160 hours of instruction and a real estate exam


Join a brokerage

All agents must have their license attached to a brokerage firm to practice real estate. 

Introductory:

 
Despite laws, and credit counselors preventing age discrimination, many older workers feel pressured to retire or, worse, wind up the victim of “position elimination” as their Golden Years draw near. But as lifespans get longer so does the need to remain gainfully employed well past the half-century mark.


The traditional workforce isn’t particularly welcoming of new employees whose age and experience demand a higher salary than their Millennial counterparts. Job postings are ripe with coded terminology and intangible benefits that attract a younger crowd. CNN Money notes that many large companies have even done away with traditional employee performance review programs, which may threaten the egos of young workers. If you enjoyed this article share it on Instagram or another social media.

 




With the scales in their favor, the 20- to 30-somethings of the world must be on top in all industries, right? Wrong. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average licensed agent is 53-years-old. And with a median salary of more than $40,000 per year and relatively few barriers to entry, a career in real estate is the perfect alternative – and the perfect fit – for many older workers. Here’s why:

Low-cost education

Obtaining the academic credentials required to become a licensed realtor is considerably less expensive than other professional positions. In California, for instance, it costs around $600 for a state-approved real estate education program. Licensing fees range from $200-$300.

No fancy office is required

Most people already have virtually everything they need to launch this new career. Emerging agents need a clean and reliable vehicle, phone, computer, and access to a fax machine.

Real estate offers schedule flexibility

Real estate is not a 40-hour-per-week 9-to-5 job. There is perhaps more flexibility in this industry than any other. Agents can choose when and where they work, which allows time to enjoy personal pursuits such as golf or simply spending time with grandchildren.

Seniors likely already have extensive knowledge of their area

Realtors need to be familiar with their hometown and seniors usually fit this bill perfectly. Someone who’s been in an area for 15 or 20 years knows which neighborhoods are best for commute times, crime rates, and access to parks and recreational amenities.

New social connections keep the brain on track

Real estate is an industry reliant on people. People to buy. People to sell. And people to match them. As an agent, seniors can engage in the community while helping neighbors solve their housing conundrums. For many older Realtors, the process of putting a family in the right home and neighborhood is a huge boost to their mood, too! And, since showing homes require lots of walking, agents get plenty of
exercise. Harvard University lists physical activity and personal connections with other people as two out of the six most important things everyone should do to enjoy a sharp mind, regardless of age.

How to get started


Redfin, a national brokerage with more than 76,000 clients to date, offers this advice on how to launch a career in real estate:

Obtain a real estate license

Most states require pre-licensing courses that consist of between 40 and 160 hours of instruction and a real estate exam. There are different prerequisites among the states before a license may be granted, so those looking should find these out ahead of time.

Join a brokerage

real estate career after retirement, real estate career after 50, selling real estate after retirement,career change to real estate agent, realtor after 50,starting a real estate career at 50, how long does it take to get a real estate license in californiaAll agents must have their license attached to a brokerage firm in order to practice real estate. There are thousands of firms out there, so seekers should take the time to research reputable agencies before attaching their name to a brokerage firm.
With easy entry, self-controlled income, a mature group of peers, and a flexible schedule, it’s no wonder US News calls real estate the “Ultimate Second Career for Seniors.”  Leave your comments below what your second career would be? 


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