A career in Real Estate is the perfect fit for a military spouse, after all who knows more about relocating and finding a new place to live. Real Estate is one job that is needed wherever you may move to within the United States, in every state, county and city. In addition, real estate is more than just buying and selling houses there are a variety of job opportunities within the field. Many military families purchase homes as investments and keep them as rental properties. They are always looking for competent and trustworthy property managers. In addition to residential sales there are also public and commercial real estate sales. Representing a builder to sell new homes is a good opportunity. There are also jobs working as a receptionist in a firm or for a real estate attorney, loan officer etc. You can also work as a leasing agent.
Military Spouse April Johns just finished her first year as a professional real estate agent and it is the perfect job for her. She loves the flexibility she has with 3 kids in school. “Real Estate is a great career for military spouses who are passionate about meeting new people and with other military families to buy or sell their house,” she said. ““My favorite part of being an agent is being part of one of the happiest days of a family’s life. Giving my clients the keys and letting them open the door to their own home whether they are a first-time home buyer, or this is their 5th house is priceless.”
Another thing that drew Johns to this career was the ease of the training. She took an online 90-hour course. Once completed she took the certification test which has two parts, a national and state requirement. For military spouses who are eligible for the MYCAA program, they can receive up to $4,000 to apply towards the cost of a real estate course, training and any licenses. Real estate license requirements vary by state but it is usually pretty easy to transfer from one state to another. You may just have to take some continuing education courses or meet other requirement. Each state has a Real Estate Commission you can contact to learn about the licensing requirements.
For Johns, “I truly just wanted a career that was mine, not just a career for now, but one I can take with me when we get those dreaded orders.” Another benefit of the job is that you are considered an independent contractor/self-employed so you can deduct many of your expenses. Things like mileage to drive a client to tour homes, office fees, association fees, multiple listing service fees etc. are all tax deductible (check with your tax professional) and can lower your income tax burden.
In order to be successful at real estate, you need to be a people person and to enjoy helping people find the perfect home. You must have the ability to listen and learn what your client thinks is the perfect home which is not necessarily your perfect home. You must be able to work independently and without supervision. There is also an element of hustle, if you don’t sell a home you don’t get paid. While commission checks can be large, they are sporadic and certain times of the year like the holidays are notorious for being low sales months, so you must be able to stretch your commission checks to cover the lean times. If this sounds like you then a real estate career may be just what you are looking for.
Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse. Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com
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