Real Estate Agent

With that said, choosing the right role or career path can be a challenge; there’s simply too many to choose from. If you’re stuck, this article should help you find what you’re looking for.

7 Different Real Estate Careers You May Enjoy

In the real estate industry, you can become a commercial or residential investor, attorney, home inspector, wholesaler, and so much more.

Here are a few real estate careers you may enjoy.

1. Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents facilitate the home or commercial property buying/selling process for clients. A residential agent can specialize in single-family homes, luxury properties, or condos, whereas a commercial agent can niche down to office buildings, retail spaces, or self-storage lots.

To become a real estate agent, you have to take a pre-licensing course and licensing exam. Once you pass, you can activate your license and join a real estate brokerage. Agents can choose to become a realtor (for some added benefits) or study to become real estate brokers.

2. Real Estate Attorney

Real estate attorneys help finalize various real estate documentation and sort through real estate-based disputes. To become a lawyer, you have to pass the LSAT and spend 6 to 8 years in school, but it’s worth it in the end, as real estate attorneys make $120k per year on average.

3. Real Estate Developer

Real estate developers are professionals who buy land and build property on top of it. They’re in charge of planning and coordinating the construction of these buildings, financing them, and creating a team to execute their plans. Developers don’t require a degree, but it helps.

The software can also make it easier for commercial real estate developers to succeed. Over at Northspyre, you’ll find an intelligence platform that helps development teams leverage automation and data analytics to form predictable outcomes on all of their projects.

4. Real Estate Investor

Real estate investors buy and sell land for the purpose of making a profit. You don’t need a degree to get started, but you should be comfortable with taking on risks and negotiating. If you start your journey on crowdfunding sites, you can grow your portfolio for less than $1000.

5. Property Manager

Property managers are an off-shoot of real estate investors, as many investors are also property managers. However, if you’re an investor who doesn’t want to take on the manager role, you’d hire a property manager to look after the financial and physical well-being of your properties.

To become a property manager, you need to have a broker license (unless you live in a state that doesn’t require one). Since it’s your job to ensure tenants are satisfied, you’ll need strong customer service and managerial skills. It also helps to learn about facility operations.

6. Home Inspector

Home inspectors examine and inspect real estate properties for defects and damage. Home inspectors are an integral part of the buy and sell process, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding work. Some states require a home inspection license, while others don’t, like California.

7. Real Estate Wholesaler

Real estate wholesalers take distressed properties and flip them for a profit. While it’s similar to a fix-and-flip strategy, your typical wholesaler doesn’t fix the property themselves. Instead, they’ll vet, price, and hire experienced contractors and renovation specialists to do this work for them.

If you don’t have the financial means to break into the real estate market but still want to own the entire property, being a real estate wholesaler would be the best option for you. While it takes some time to see a significant profit, you’ll eventually reap the rewards as you grow.

But while you might be expecting an influx of offers when you stage your home, there is always the risk that you're making some common mistakes—and hurting your chances of selling at all. While it's true that many buyers expect to negotiate on the price of a home, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t aim to sell it for top dollar. It's important to know that certain elements can make your home look cheap or outdated, which will end up costing you in the long run. To prevent that, here are some common mistakes you should avoid during your home staging.

Overfilling the Space for Home Staging

One of the most common mistakes home stagers make is overfilling the space. If you are trying to sell a small house, don't fill it with furniture and decor that is meant for a much larger space. It will make the room look cluttered and messy. Instead, use only a few select items to highlight the features of your home.

Another mistake people make is using too many accessories or making them too big. An accessory should be something that adds value to your home but doesn't take away from its overall appeal. When choosing accessories for staging, it's important to keep in mind that buyers will be looking at your home from an emotional perspective as well as a logical one—which means that if an accessory doesn't feel right for your home, it might not sell!

Finally, avoid using too many colours or patterns together in one room—especially if they're bold or bright colours! This can overwhelm potential buyers and make them feel uncomfortable when they visit your property.

Having Too Many Colours that Don't Coordinate

When it comes to home staging, colours are often a very personal choice. But that doesn't mean you should let your taste dictate the colours you use in your staging. The colours in your staging should be chosen based on their ability to help sell the house, not just because they're pretty.

One of the biggest mistakes home stagers make is trying to go overboard with colours. A lot of people think that more colours are better—and while that might be true if you're painting a canvas, it's not true when it comes to painting a room. Colours have the power to change the feeling of a room. Too many different colours can make a room feel smaller instead of larger and more inviting. Studies have shown that homes with rooms painted in two or three coordinating colours sell for more than those painted in only one colour or with too much variety in terms of shade and hue.

So when choosing colours for your staging, keep it simple and stick to two or three shades from the same family (for example light blue and dark blue). This will give the room an overall cohesive feeling without making it look too busy or cluttered!

Forgetting the Exterior for Home Staging

When you're staging a home, it's easy to forget about the exterior. After all, the inside is where all the action happens. But if you want to get the best return on your investment, you need to give your home's exterior just as much attention as its interior.

It's easy to neglect your property's exterior when it comes time for staging because there are so many other things that need to be done inside. But if you don't make sure that your yard looks its best and that any repairs are completed before putting your property up for sale, then potential buyers will probably think twice about buying your house. After all, if they're going to spend their hard-earned money on a home, they want to feel like it's in good condition and well-maintained—and that includes everything from the roof to the paint job.

When it comes time for staging, you can always go around outside with a critical eye but it is a better idea to consult with real estate brokers, who have gone through the process many times. After you get the recommendations from the experts, make sure everything looks clean and well-kept—and if anything needs fixing or painting, get it done!

Keeping the House Dark

If you're preparing your house for staging, a dark house can be the kiss of death.

To show off your home's best features, it needs to be well-lit and look like it's full of life. This means turning up the lights and adding some natural light if possible. You want to avoid dark corners and keep the windows clear of curtains or blinds that block out too much light.

Don't forget about interior lighting as well! If you have dark walls, you'll need to add light fixtures so that they don't look dingy and dull. If there are dark spots on the floor or ceiling, consider installing sconces or pendants to brighten things up a bit.

Leaving Too Many Personal Items Displayed

Your home is your castle, and you want it to look like the best version of itself possible. But you also want to avoid making any mistakes that could negatively impact its value. The most common mistake homeowners make when staging their homes is leaving too many personal items on display.

It's important to remember that when you stage a room, you want to use it as an example of how it would look if someone were to live in it. If you leave your items in there, it will be hard for potential buyers to see themselves living in that space.

If you want to keep some of your things around after selling a home, but don't want them on display during showings, consider storing them away until after your home sells.

Concluding Thoughts

Staging homes can help sell homes more quickly and for a higher price. However, staging poses challenges too. Besides making sure to avoid some of the above-mentioned mistakes, it is also extremely important to consult with your broker to determine how and how much to stage your home.

There are a few options available to you, and the best choice for you will depend on your circumstances. This article will discuss some of the top ways to sell your house.

Selling the Home Yourself

Selling your house yourself can save you a significant amount of money in commission fees. Additionally, it allows you to be in control of the sale from start to finish. If you are considering selling your house yourself, you should keep a few things in mind:

Be realistic about the value of your home. Overpriced homes often sit on the market for months or even years
Be prepared to show your home at a moment's notice
Be patient. Selling a home takes time, and you may need to adjust your asking price several times before finding a buyer willing to pay what you are asking

iBuyers

There are now companies that will buy your home directly from you. These companies are typically large investment firms with the capital to make quick property offers. The process is relatively simple: you contact the iBuyer and provide some basic information about your home. They'll make you an initial offer, which you can accept or reject. If you accept the offer, they'll send someone to inspect your home and verify it is in good condition. Once everything is verified, the iBuyer will wire the money to you, and you'll sign over the deed to the property.

Cash House Buying Companies

If you need to sell your house fast, you may want to consider working with a cash house-buying company. These companies will make you an offer on your home, usually within 24 hours, and they will purchase the property as-is. This means you don't have to make any repairs or renovations to the property before selling it.

Finding a reputable company to work with is crucial. Be sure to research the company online, and read customer reviews. Ask the company for references, and contact those references to ask about their experience working with the company.

Real estate agents are experts in the field and know how to market your home to potential buyers. They will also be able to provide you with a list of comparable homes in the area so that you can price your home competitively. In addition, they can help to negotiate the sale price and terms of the sale, as well as handle all of the paperwork involved in the sale. Be sure to interview several real estate agents before deciding on one to represent you, and ask about the commission fees that the agent will charge.

Trade-In Option

When you're ready to upgrade to a bigger house or want to move to a new neighborhood, you need to figure out what to do with your old house. You could sell it outright, but that takes time and effort. If you're in a hurry, you might not get the best price. Instead, you might want to consider trading in your old house as part of the deal for your new one. Many home builders offer trade-in programs that can be a quick and easy way to sell your old home.

These are the top five ways that you can sell your home. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Whichever option you choose, do your research beforehand to ensure that you get the best possible price for your home.

Price Your Home Competitively

Look at comparable homes recently sold in your area and price your home accordingly. If you price it too high, you may end up sitting on the market for a long time without any offers. On the other hand, if you price it too low, you may not make as much money as you could have. The key is to strike a balance between the two. Buyers will be doing their research, and if they see that your home is priced significantly higher than comparable properties, they may be discouraged from even considering it.

Make Your Home As Attractive As Possible

First impressions are everything when selling a home. You want potential buyers to walk in and immediately fall in love with the place. This means decluttering, deep cleaning, and perhaps even minor renovations. Buyers will have difficulty seeing its potential if your home is cluttered or dirty. Investing in a professional cleaning service is always a good idea. They will be able to get your home sparkling clean in no time. Consider hiring a staging company, as they will bring furniture and decorations to make your home look its best.

Sell It for Cash

Many companies specialize in this transaction and can often close on a property within days. They will usually make you an offer within 24 hours and can close on the deal within a week or two. This is a great option if you're facing a foreclosure or need to move quickly for any other reason. You won't worry about repair costs or cosmetic changes to the property. These companies are typically interested in buying properties as-is, so you won't have to put any money into fixing it up before selling or paying any real estate commissions, which can save you thousands of dollars.

Upgrade Your Curb Appeal

Your home's curb appeal is the first thing potential buyers will see when they drive up. Make sure your lawn is freshly mowed and trimmed, plant some flowers or other greenery to add a pop of color, and power wash your siding and front porch. Ensure your gutters are free of leaves and debris and that all of your light fixtures are in working order.

Make Essential Repairs

Before putting your home on the market, making any necessary repairs is essential. This includes fixing a leaky roof, repairing any damaged walls or floors, and fixing any appliances that are not working properly. If your home needs major repairs, consider selling it as-is or invest in some fixer-upper projects before listing it.

Don't Underestimate the Importance of Marketing

When you're selling your house, it's important to remember that you're not just selling a physical structure. You're selling a lifestyle. Take some time to understand who your target buyer is. What kind of lifestyle are they looking for? What kind of budget do they have? Once you understand who your buyer is, you can start to tailor your marketing efforts accordingly.

Selling your house doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Following these tips, you can sell your home quickly and for the most money possible. Just remember to price your home competitively, make it as attractive as possible, and invest in some curb appeal.

Real estate agents and brokers, referred to as realtors, help facilitate real estate transactions. Unfortunately, these services aren’t free and the realtors' fees attached to their services can take a chunk out of your sale.

With that said, let's consider how much your typical realtor would charge you, and how the fees are split between agents and brokers.

What Are Realtor Fees?

Realtor fees are the expenses paid to a real estate agent as profits from the sale or rent of a property. These fees are only paid when the sale of the house is complete.

In most cases, the seller of the house disburses the payments to their realtor, who then shares the profits with the one brought by the buyer. Even while realtor costs can be high, a home buyer may consider them an investment because a skilled broker's work pays off amply.

How High Are Typical Realtor Fees?

Most realtors receive their fees through commissions and fees with regular salaries. These fees are often not paid upfront but are in the home's price. Once the sale is complete, the realtor's fees will be deducted and paid.

Realtors' fees can vary depending on the firm, expertise, and home area, but generally, they are 5-6% of the total home price. Take, for example, a $150,000 home that may attract realtor fees of about $7500 on a 5% commission.

However, clients can always negotiate a lower realtor commission rate. To prepare for a sale/purchase, you can calculate realtor fees on your desired house beforehand. Usually, the 5-6% fee is split to reimburse the buyer's agent commission and seller's agent commission, leaving them with roughly 2.5% each.

The 5% fee brings the average annual earnings of a realtor to $85,000 per year in the United States and can be as high as 1 million dollars depending on skill and location.

How Are The Fees Split Between Agents and Brokers?

There is a distinct difference between a real estate agent and a broker. The former connects while the latter supervises, hires, and takes up more technical work.

If referrals are involved, the realtor's fees are often split into about three places or more. As mentioned earlier, the first split happens when the buyer and seller's agent split the 5-6% equally. Once each agent gets their commission for helping customers buy, sell, or rent a home, they further split the money with their broker.

The agent and broker determine the split at the start of the real estate agent’s job. Agents may discuss rates with their brokers, which may be the standard split ratio of the money in their business.

Without negotiation, realtor fees may be split in half, leaving the agent and broker with about 1.5% each from the initial 3%.

Sometimes, the split may be 60-40 or 70-30. In these unequal cases, the agent tends to earn more, depending on the agreement. A real estate agent may also reimburse their broker monthly and not with every house sold.

Even without doing much work to complete a sale, a broker receives a cut to cover the costs involved in operating a real estate agency. They invest money to train agents and recruit other individuals to make the work seamless.

In addition, there are payments made towards operating their business, such as rent, equipment, advertising, signage, phone lines, and other expenses related to running their firm.

1. Find a good home buyer

The first step in getting the most money for your home is to find a good home buyer. There are many factors to consider when choosing a home buyer, such as their financial stability, their ability to close on the deal quickly, and their willingness to negotiate. You should also make sure that you are comfortable with the buyer and that they have a good reputation. Once you have found a few potential buyers, you can start negotiating. You should also consider selling your home to cash home buyers where you can have a hassle-free sale of your home and that you get the best possible price. Also, be sure to ask for recommendations from friends or family who have recently sold their homes.

2. Home staging

Home staging is the process of preparing your home for sale. This includes decluttering, deep cleaning, and making any necessary repairs or updates. Home staging can be a time-consuming and costly process, but it is worth it if you want to get the most money for your home. A staged home will sell faster and for a higher price than a non-staged home. If you are not sure how to stage your home, there are many resources available online, or you can hire a professional home stager. With a little effort, you can make your home look its best and maximise its value. Also, be sure to declutter and deep clean before showings and open houses. This will make your home more appealing to potential buyers and help you sell your home faster.

3. Pricing your home correctly

Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important factors in getting the most money for your home. You should price your home competitively, but not so low that you leave money on the table. The best way to determine a competitive price is to look at comparable homes in your area that have recently sold. You can also get a professional home appraisal to find out your home's value. Once you have determined a competitive price, you can start negotiating with buyers. Remember, the goal is to get the best possible price for your home, so don't be afraid to hold out for a higher offer. Some people are reluctant to negotiate, but it is a necessary part of selling your home.

4. Get a good home inspector

A good home inspector can make or break a sale. A home inspection is an important step in the selling process, and you want to make sure that your home is in top condition before putting it on the market. A good home inspector will find any potential problems with your home and help you fix them. This will not only make your home more appealing to buyers, but it will also help you get a higher price for your home. A home inspection is a small investment that can pay off big time when selling your home. The inspection looks at the physical condition of the property and evaluates if it is up to code. Many times, home inspectors will also find hidden damage that you may not have been aware of. This can be used as a negotiating tool to get a lower price for the home or to ask for repairs to be made before closing.

5. Use a real estate agent

A real estate agent will help you with pricing your home, marketing your home, negotiating with buyers, and more. They will also be there to answer any questions you have throughout the selling process. Selling your home can be a daunting task, but working with a real estate agent will make it much easier. They will guide you through every step of the process and help you get the best possible price for your home. If you are thinking about selling your home, be sure to interview a few different real estate agents to find the right one for you. Working with a professional will make the selling process much smoother and less stressful. Also, be sure to ask your agent for recommendations on home staging, pricing, and marketing. They will have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you sell your home quickly and for the most money.

6. Marketing your home

Marketing your home is one of the most important steps in selling your home. You need to make sure that potential buyers are aware of your home and its features. There are many ways to market your home, including online listings, open houses, flyers, and word-of-mouth. You should also make sure that your home is easy to find online. Potential buyers should be able to find your home easily when they search for homes in your area. Be sure to include plenty of photos and detailed information about your home. You want potential buyers to know everything they can about your home before they even step inside. Marketing your home correctly will help you sell it faster and for more money.

7. Closing the deal

Once you have found a buyer for your home, it's time to close the deal. This is usually done through a real estate agent, but it can also be done without one. Closing the deal involves negotiating a sales price, signing a contract, and transferring ownership of the property. This is typically a fairly straightforward process, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to decide on a sales price. This should be based on the current market value of your home, as well as any repairs or upgrades that have been made. Once you have agreed on a price, you will need to sign a contract. This contract should include all pertinent information about the sale, including the sales price, closing costs, and any contingencies. Be sure to read over the contract carefully before signing it.

Final Thoughts

By following these tips, you can be sure to get the most money for your home when you sell it. Just remember to do your research, take your time, and be prepared to negotiate. With a little effort, you can get the best possible price for your home, so don't hesitate to put your home on the market. Good luck!