Looking for a job in real estate? Whether you prefer the earning potential of having your own business or the security of working for another company, the options are virtually endless. Here are eight of the top real estate careers you can have in Sacramento, California!
Real Estate Agent
Sacramento is one of the best places to become a real estate agent, thanks to the city’s competitive housing market and high quality of life. As a Sacramento-based agent, it’s unlikely that you will run out of work opportunities any time soon!
To get your real estate license, you will need to pass a background check, submit fingerprints, complete 135 hours at a Sacramento real estate school, pass the California salesperson exam with a score of 70% or higher, and pay the required exam and license fees.
Real Estate Investor
Investing is arguably the most popular career in the real estate industry today, as the investor can be as involved or as removed as their schedule permits.
What’s more, Sacramento’s thriving housing market makes it easy to invest. As the city’s population has continued to increase year after year for well over a decade, there is a constant need for more housing.
As an investor, you can leverage a handful of strategies to generate profits—from flipping and other short-term solutions to vacation rentals, long-term rentals, and other buy-and-hold strategies.
Real Estate Broker
The state of California has a two-tier system of agents and brokers. If you already have at least two years of experience as a real estate agent, you might consider becoming a broker.
Essentially, the broker oversees the agent’s activity, provides guidance, and offers resources. In exchange, they typically earn a portion of the real estate agent’s commission on top of their base salary.
Rental Host
Since being popularized by Airbnb and Vrbo in 1995 and 2008, respectively, short-term hosting has become a lucrative career choice for those outside the hotel industry. Today, if you own property—whether it’s a large standalone unit or a single room in your home—you can rent it out for a nightly fee.
Perhaps the best part about this career is that it has a relatively low barrier for entry. Simply verify your identify and space, post pictures and information about your property online, and make sure your space stays clean for guests!
Real Estate Wholesaler
If you want a piece of the real estate pie without the burden of owning property, wholesaling real estate is a great option.
The wholesaler’s job is to find a property whose owner is motivated to sell it, put the property under contract, and then sell the property for a profit. Often conflated with flipping, wholesaling doesn’t involve home renovations of any kind—although the new buyer may elect to perform renovations.
Mortgage Loan Officer
The mortgage loan officer works directly with buyers to help them find the best loan products for their purchase. Of course, there is no-size-fits-all financing option for all homeowners, so the mortgage loan officer must assess each homeowner’s financial situation and work within any restrictions or limitations.
To become a mortgage loan officer, you will first need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of pre-licensing courses. Then, you will need to score a passing grade (75% or higher) on the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) MLO test, as well as pay the required licensing and exam fees in your state.
Property Manager
Someone who owns a couple of units can often self-manage their property. Once that portfolio grows, however, that job becomes more and more difficult. What’s more, investors may live in different states—making them unable to physically tend to their properties.
The job of the property manager is to represent the owner and run the day-to-day operations of the property on their behalf. This involves screening new tenants, responding to maintenance requests, processing rent payments, handling evictions, and much more.
Whether or not you own property, this is a great career choice for any people person who pays great attention to detail!
Real Estate Appraiser
An appraiser’s job is to assess a property based on its current condition, recent market trends, and other factors. After a comprehensive review of the property, they will indicate how much they believe the property is worth.
While there are national requirements to become an appraiser, applicants must also meet any state-specific requirements. In the state of California, you must complete at least 150 hours of related coursework, pass a background check, and pay the real estate appraiser license fee.
