Can Real Estate Agents Work From Home?

Are you tired of commuting back and forth to the office every day? Would you rather spend more time with your family than going into an office?

Real estate professionals – both agents and brokers – can work from home if they have a computer and a work phone to communicate with their clients. Get your real estate license and set up an office space at home, then consider an alternative location to meet potential clients. At-home agents typically need to have set schedules.

There are many benefits to working from home as a real estate agent. In fact, many real estate agents prefer working from home because it allows them to save money, increase productivity, and get the most out of a flexible schedule.

This article explains the pros and cons of working at home as a real estate agent, what you should know beforehand, and how you can create the perfect at-home work atmosphere so you can succeed working from home as a real estate agent.

Real quick, before we get too far into it here, if you want to connect with other remote workers or would love to make your home office space the best join my free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks here.

Can real estate agents work from home?

In today’s digital age, an increasing number of businesses are being done remotely – and real estate is no exception.

With the so much in the real estate business taking place online, it’s now easier than ever for agents to work from home.

While this arrangement can offer many benefits, it is not always possible for every profession.

For example, it would be difficult (though not necessarily impossible depending on the business model) for a doctor or lawyer to meet with clients remotely.

However, there are some professions where working from home is a possibility.

Real estate is one such profession. A listing agent, for example, can easily work with potential buyers remotely in order to introduce them to different properties.

Similarly, it’s not uncommon for a part-time agent to get started in the business working from home.

Of course, there are certain aspects of the real estate transaction that must take place in person. But, for the most part, real estate agents can successfully work from home.

dWorking at home as a real estate agent is great, but it does require a certain level of discipline and organization. You must be willing to put in long hours and take advantage of every opportunity that comes along.

Real estate brokers working from home can enjoy flexibility and freedom. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you decide to become a real estate agent working at home:

1. Be disciplined – Working at home means that you’ll be able to spend less time at the office, but you’ll still need to show up for appointments and meetings and of course that also means being present for showings and open houses. So it’s crucial that you stay organized when working from home to help you stay focused and avoid distractions.
2. Set boundaries – There may come a point where you feel overwhelmed and start procrastinating. Setting boundaries allows you to focus on only those tasks that matter most.
3. Stay motivated – As a real estate agent working remotely, you’ll learn that there are some unique challenges and you won’t have your boss or colleagues next to you. The successful real estate agent is already self-starter, hard-charging type-A personality and ambitious, and it’s all the more important to capitalize on those character traits when you’re working alone from home.
4. Find balance – Working at home requires a lot of self-discipline and organization. But it also gives you the ability to live life on your terms. Finding balance between work and play is key to staying productive and enjoying your job.
5. Maximize your visibility – As a real estate agent working from home, it’s vital that you are seen where your clients and potential clients are looking and the most creative and clever new agents are maximizing the use of social media as one of the best ways to do that.
6. Network – Having a network of contacts is essential for any successful career. Whether you’re a real estate agent working at home or in an office, networking is a great way to meet new people and build relationships.
7. Keep learning – Learning new skills is crucial to becoming a better professional. By constantly improving your knowledge base, you’ll be able to provide your clients with the best service possible.
8. Have fun – Working at home doesn’t mean that you should stop living life. Enjoy the benefits of working from home by taking advantage of the extra free time you have.
9. Don’t forget to eat – Eating healthy food is vital to maintaining energy levels and keeping your body strong. Try to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Exercise not only keeps your body fit, but it also boosts your mood and improves your overall health.
10. Take control – Working at home can sometimes be overwhelming because you may feel like you don’t have any support. But don’t let that overwhelm you. Instead, try to take control of your situation by utilizing your resources properly, staying organized and setting goals and deadlines.
11. Reward yourself – Being successful as a real estate agent involves a lot of hard work; doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced real estate agent with years of experience, or this is your first steps in a new career. That’s why it’s important to treat yourself once in awhile. A little reward goes a long way towards motivating you to continue working hard.
12. Focus on the positive – Remember that even though you’re working from home, you’re still part of a larger team. This is true even when you’re an independent contractor, not affiliated with an agency. So remember that everyone you interact with is a customer so treat everyone with respect and kindness.
13. Never give up – Even if you face setbacks while you’re trying to build your client base, never give up. Always remember that you’ve got what it takes to succeed.
14. Ask questions – Before starting out as a real estate agent working remote, ask plenty of questions. Learn everything you can about the industry and your role within it.
15. Be patient – Becoming a real estate agent working home isn’t going to happen overnight. Expect to work hard and earn your success.

Pros of real estate agents working from home

Some people might think that real estate agents just spend their days sitting around at open houses, but the truth is that a lot of work goes into this career. Many agents choose to work from home, which can have its pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at both sides of the argument.

Working from home is easily done for most jobs, including being a real estate agent. Aceable Agent claims that over 30% of real estate agents who work from home feel happier with their careers. The freedom is unparalleled, but it’s not without a few drawbacks. Below, we’ll discuss why countless real estate agents are looking to work remotely.

Flexible Schedule

Perhaps the best part of working from home as a real estate agent is that you can set your own schedule and work the hours you want to work.  And the truth is, most real estate brokers have reasonably flexible schedules. But you are always at the mercy of your clients and their schedules too, and you don’t want to lose a client to another agent who’s more accommodating than you.

Savings on Business Expenses

Renting office space can be extremely expensive. Working from home lets you avoid those payments, as well as the cost of getting your mail delivered to an office, driving to and from the location, and so on. You’ll save a lot, but you can still write your home office off in your taxes as business expenses.

Less Interaction With Colleagues

If you don’t want to be distracted by your colleagues, working from home could be the most efficient way for you to excel as a real estate agent. You also won’t have to worry about hearing their phone calls, casual conversations, and other unwanted interruptions. If you want to contact your colleagues, you can text, email, or call them from home.

Cons of Real Estate Agents Working From Home

While working from home is a dream come true for many real estate agents, it’s not always the best decision for everyone. You shouldn’t put your career opportunities, income, or goals at bay just to work at your house or apartment. Let’s analyze the disadvantages you might encounter when working at home as a real estate agent.

Missed Walk-In Client Opportunities

Walk-in clients provide quite a bit of revenue for many real estate agents. If you work at your house, you’ll miss out on 100% of walk-in customers.

Family and Other At-Home Distractions

If you live with a spouse, siblings, children, or roommates, you’ll always have to deal with them during your working hours. You can shut the office or bedroom door, but that doesn’t mean you can completely avoid them. Those who live alone won’t have to deal with this issue, and it might not matter to many at-home workers.

Less Professional Environment

Many people struggle with the lack of professionalism when working from home. This issue stems from a need for self-discipline and structure that isn’t always present at a house. If you’re struggling with not feeling professional or like you don’t have the proper tools at your disposal, being an at-home real estate agent might be a difficult transition.

Meeting Places With Clients

Home buyers rely on you to be the expert on the real estate market and the places and ways you set up meetings with them is important. When you work from home as a real estate agent or broker, you may not have the luxury of an office space where you can meet with clients and in some cases this can be a problem. Client meetings are crucial obviously, so you have to have a solution in place.

Essential Setup for Work-at-Home Real Estate Agents

An essential setup for work-at-home real estate agents should include office space, a work computer, a work-only smartphone, and filing cabinets to maintain your records. Consider soundproofing your working space to keep outside noises from coming through your phone or distracting you.

Here’s a list of factors to consider when working from home as a real estate agent:

• Set up a dedicated space for your home office. Your home office work space plays an essential role in your WFH success. Your space should look professional for when you need to hop on a video call with potential customers. You should have an ergonomic chair and an adjustable standing desk at the very least. Not only does standing at a desk have numerous health benefits, but it also makes you feel more energized. This setup can help reverse the aforementioned ‘lack of professionalism’ feeling.
• Keep your remote-working business tools on hand. This includes a smartphone, alarms (if necessary), a laptop which is essential for all remote workers, and so on. You should also have spare pens and paper, and the necessary office supplies.
• Make sure you have good storage – you will need plenty of the right kinds of storage in your home office for things like legal documents and other paperwork.
• Make sure you abide by the rules and regulations of home offices. Most real estate agents who work for various companies have to follow a set of rules. These regulations could include required working hours, an active phone line, etc.
• Consider creating a meeting location for clients. It’s best to avoid inviting clients to your house. You could meet them at a co-working space, a coffee shop, or rent a part-time office space (or a shared office space).

The Truth About Working at Home as a Real Estate Agent

The truth about working at home as a real estate agent is that it’s almost equally as difficult as working from an office, but you’ll have more work freedom. The difficulty of commuting to work is alleviated and replaced by the need for self-discipline.

If you can avoid unwanted distractions and remain available for potential clients, there’s no doubt that you can find your niche as an at-home real estate agent in most cities.

Related Question: What do you put on your business cards as an independent licensed real estate agent working from home?

One of the challenges for real estate agents working from home and independently is figuring out what address to use on your business cards, but that’s actually a fairly simple fix. You can get a P.O. Box at your local post office, or even better, if you want a street address, you can get a mailbox at a local UPS store.

Related Question: Can I get started with a real estate career as a part-time side hustle working from home?

Yes! You can make money selling homes while still maintaining your full-time job. In fact that’s how many good real estate agents get started. Just understand that it may take a while before you’re making much money, so if you choose this path, make sure that this is the right choice for you and your life situation.

Related Question: Can i access a real estate listing service working from home?

Most definitely. As long as you have an internet connection you can access the MLS wether you’re the buyer’s agent or the listing agent.

Final Thoughts

The real estate industry is incredibly competitive, but it’s also very flexible. You can be your own boss as an independent broker, or you can work as part of a larger real estate team, and the good news is that you can do both working from home. Real estate sales agents have work hours that are different than many traditional careers, but when you’re working from home, it makes all of that just a little bit easier.

Of course being an at-home real estate agent doesn’t mean you never have to leave your house. You’ll need to be ready to answer calls, texts, and emails during your working hours. And you’ll have to schedule out-of-house meetings with clients and provide walk-throughs for people who want in-person viewings.

But a good real estate agent isn’t limited by working at home. In fact, they thrive.

Next Steps

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