Looking for a real estate side hustle? Whether you’re interested in generating passive income or seeking a part-time job with the potential for more, the real estate industry offers a wide range of opportunities.
From investing in rental properties to becoming a part-time real estate agent, there are many different ways to get involved. You might also consider property management, house flipping, or even starting a real estate blog or YouTube channel to share your insights and expertise.
Each of these side hustles comes with its own level of commitment and earning potential, allowing you to choose what best fits your lifestyle and financial goals. With the right approach, a real estate side hustle can become a valuable addition to your income portfolio.
Best Real Estate Side Hustles
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Below, you will read the full list and learn more about each one.
1. House flipping
Flipping houses can be a lucrative real estate side hustle if you have an interest in real estate and enjoy renovation work. The process involves purchasing properties, enhancing them through repairs and upgrades, and then selling them for a profit.
To succeed in house flipping, the first step is to identify a property with potential for improvement. This often means looking for homes in neighborhoods that are on the rise or have room for growth. Key considerations include the location, current market conditions, and the property’s overall condition.
Before investing, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough financial analysis. You’ll need to estimate the total cost of purchasing, renovating, and holding the property, taking into account expenses like materials, labor, financing, and holding costs during the renovation period.
Successful house flipping hinges on making smart, cost-effective improvements that add significant value to the property. Focus on key areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms, and address any major structural or safety issues to ensure the property appeals to potential buyers.
2. Investing in REITs
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are companies that own, manage, or finance income-generating real estate, offering a way to invest in real estate without the responsibilities of direct ownership.
Essentially, an REIT functions like a company that holds and operates profitable real estate properties, and it allows individuals to buy shares, similar to purchasing stocks. By investing in REITs, you can gain exposure to the real estate market and earn income without having to manage any properties yourself.
This makes REITs an attractive option for those who want to benefit from real estate investments without the hassle of being a landlord. Additionally, REITs allow you to diversify your investments across various types of properties, including residential, commercial, industrial, and retail spaces, further spreading out your financial risk.
3. Getting a roommate
Having a roommate in your home, whether as a full-time tenant or by renting out an extra room on a short-term basis through platforms like Airbnb, can be an excellent real estate side hustle that requires minimal effort. The income you can generate from having a roommate depends on several factors, such as the location of your home (is it in a high-cost area or a rural setting?) and the amenities you offer (does the roommate have their own bathroom or a private entrance?).
To find a suitable roommate, you can promote the opportunity on your social media, post ads on websites like Craigslist, or create a rental listing on Airbnb. There are numerous platforms available to advertise that you’re looking for a roommate.
In my experience, I have had multiple roommates in the past, renting out spare bedrooms in my home to long-term renters and to people I personally knew, such as friends and my sister.
4. Airbnbs and vacation rentals
Turning your property into an Airbnb or other short-term rental can be a profitable way to generate extra income. This involves renting out your space, whether it’s an entire house, an apartment, or just a single room, to travelers for short stays.
Before starting this side hustle, it’s essential to check local laws to ensure that short-term rentals are allowed in your area, as regulations have become stricter in many places. You’ll also need to understand the financial aspects by calculating potential earnings against expenses like mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance costs.
Setting up your space with comfortable furnishings and thoughtful decor is crucial to creating a welcoming environment for guests. Additionally, effective marketing is key—use high-quality photos and create appealing listings on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to attract potential renters.
The income you can earn varies widely, with some hosts making anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 a month or more, depending on factors like location, the type of rental, and occupancy rates. However, it’s important to plan for fluctuations in bookings, as these ebbs and flows are a natural part of the short-term rental business.
5. Real estate photography
If you’ve ever looked at a house listing and noticed how poorly the photos represented the property, then real estate photography might be the perfect side hustle for you. Real estate agents often hire photographers to handle the visual aspect of selling a home because they understand how crucial good pictures are in attracting potential buyers.
Real estate photography involves capturing images of various parts of a property, including the exterior, backyard, living room, attic, bathroom, and more, to showcase the home’s best features. You can start this side hustle with equipment you likely already have, such as your smartphone, which can work well since modern phones are equipped with high-quality cameras.
The way you present a property through your photos can significantly influence a client’s ability to sell it, making your work an essential part of the property’s marketing strategy. As you gain experience, you might consider investing in more advanced equipment, like a professional camera, but for now, focus on honing your skills by paying close attention to details and improving your photography techniques.
If you’re looking for a way to earn extra income in the real estate field, photography could be an excellent option.
6. Real estate drone photography
Drone pilots who offer real estate photography services play a crucial role in helping real estate agents showcase properties more effectively. By capturing images from various angles and heights, drone photography provides a unique perspective that traditional photos often miss.
This allows potential buyers to see aspects of the property, such as its surroundings, layout, and overall context, in ways that standard ground-level photos cannot convey. When you sell property photography services using your drone, you’re offering real estate companies a valuable tool to make their listings stand out in a competitive housing market.
As drone photos become increasingly popular in real estate, they are particularly effective in giving potential buyers a comprehensive view of a home and its surroundings. This broader perspective helps buyers gain a better understanding of the property, making them more likely to engage with the listing.
7. Long-term rentals
A long-term rental involves renting out a property for an extended period, typically six months to a year or even longer. This could involve renting an apartment or house to a family who intends to live there full-time.
Long-term rentals differ from short-term rentals like vacation homes or Airbnb listings, as they cater to individuals or families seeking a more permanent place to live. One of the key benefits of long-term rentals is the reliable and steady income they provide.
By leasing your property to tenants for an extended period, you establish a consistent cash flow through regular rental payments. This financial stability is particularly appealing to those looking for a dependable source of passive income.
Additionally, managing a long-term rental usually requires less effort than a short-term rental, as you don’t need to clean the property frequently or constantly search for new renters.
8. Buy and hold for long-term wealth
If you’re looking to grow wealth through real estate, the buy-and-hold strategy is a powerful way to achieve lasting financial growth. This approach involves purchasing a property and holding onto it for an extended period, allowing you to benefit from both its appreciation in value over time and the rental income it generates.
There are several advantages to consider with a buy-and-hold real estate side hustle. First, there’s appreciation, as real estate often increases in value over time, enhancing your investment’s worth. Second, the rental income provides a steady cash flow each month, offering consistent financial returns.
Additionally, there are tax advantages, as you may be able to claim deductions that reduce your taxable income. The buy-and-hold strategy requires patience and a willingness to navigate market fluctuations, making it a long-term approach rather than a quick one. However, if you remain committed, this strategy can help you build a strong investment portfolio that supports future financial stability.
9. Notary services for real estate
If you’re interested in getting more involved in the real estate industry without becoming an agent or broker, becoming a notary public can be a lucrative way to make extra money. Many important documents, such as deeds, mortgages, and powers of attorney, require notarization to be legally binding. By obtaining a notary license, you can offer a vital service that is essential for various real estate transactions.
Notaries play a crucial role in ensuring that the individuals signing these documents are who they claim to be, helping to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the transaction. This makes notaries an indispensable part of the real estate process, providing you with a meaningful way to contribute to the industry while earning additional income.
10. Rental arbitrage
Rental arbitrage is a strategy to generate extra income in real estate without owning property. It involves leasing a property long-term and then subleasing it as a short-term rental through platforms like Airbnb.
To get started with rental arbitrage, it’s important first to check local laws to ensure that short-term rentals are permitted in your area. Additionally, you’ll need to verify that your rental agreement allows subleasing, as not all landlords are open to this arrangement.
Conducting market research is crucial to understand the demand for short-term rentals in your target area, such as areas with high tourist traffic or business events. Rental arbitrage offers several benefits, including strong cash flow potential and lower startup costs compared to purchasing a property.
However, it also comes with considerations like initial setup and furnishing expenses, as well as the need to manage the stability of the short-term rental market. The key to making money in rental arbitrage lies in the difference between the cost of the long-term lease and the income from short-term rentals.
The larger this gap, the greater the potential for profit. However, it’s essential to account for ongoing expenses such as cleaning, maintenance, and utilities to ensure the business remains profitable.
11. House hacking
House hacking is a smart strategy for those looking to ease into real estate investing while simultaneously reducing their living expenses. By purchasing a property with multiple units, you can live in one while renting out the others, effectively using rental income to offset your mortgage and other costs.
This approach not only helps you save money but also provides a manageable entry point into the world of real estate. In our case, when we lived in a traditional house, we practiced house hacking by renting out rooms to different roommates.
The additional income allowed us to lower our monthly house payments and put more money into savings, making it a practical and financially rewarding side hustle.
12. Real estate agent
A real estate agent plays a crucial role in helping individuals buy or sell property, guiding clients through the complex process of real estate transactions. They earn their income primarily through commissions, which are typically a percentage of the property’s sale price.
To embark on a career as a real estate agent, the basic requirements include having a high school diploma and obtaining a professional license. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2021, the median pay for real estate agents is $23.45 per hour, or $48,770 annually.
However, many real estate agents surpass this median income, with some earning significantly more, depending on their experience, market, and client base. This profession offers the potential for substantial earnings, especially for those who excel in the industry.
13. Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending
If you’re interested in making extra money in real estate, exploring crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending could be valuable options. Crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest in real estate projects with a relatively small amount of money, making it more accessible than purchasing property outright.
These investments can generate passive income through rental returns or property value appreciation. On the other hand, peer-to-peer lending platforms let you lend money directly to borrowers, potentially offering higher returns than traditional savings accounts.
However, this comes with the risk that a borrower might not repay the loan. Both crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending leverage technology to connect investors with individuals seeking funding, offering innovative ways to participate in the real estate market.
14. Bird dogging
Bird dogging in real estate is a side hustle where you can earn money by identifying potentially profitable properties for investors. Your ability to spot undervalued or distressed properties plays a crucial role in this process.
The key tasks involve conducting thorough market research to find properties that might be overlooked by others, building a network of local real estate investors who are actively seeking deals, and utilizing the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to identify opportunities.
Bird dogs typically focus on finding foreclosures, bank-owned properties, and distressed homes that are likely to sell quickly. Compensation for bird dogging generally comes in the form of a referral fee, paid once the investor decides to move forward with the property you’ve found.
Importantly, this role doesn’t require any initial capital—just the time and skill to uncover promising investment opportunities.
15. General contractor
General contractors are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations on construction sites, overseeing projects ranging from residential remodels to building new homes. While this role is often seen as a full-time job, it can also be pursued as a real estate side hustle.
As a general contractor, you have the flexibility to choose projects that align with your schedule and interests, allowing you to balance this work with other commitments. Despite the significant responsibilities involved, this role offers the satisfaction of playing a key part in transforming plans into completed structures.
Additionally, it provides an opportunity to earn extra income by leveraging your skills in construction and project management.
16. Flip raw land
Raw land flipping is a real estate strategy where you purchase undeveloped land with the intention of selling it later for a profit. This approach offers several advantages, including a lower initial investment and reduced complexity compared to traditional real estate investments, as it doesn’t involve any renovation or improvements.
Instead of dealing with buildings, you’re working with lots or acres of land. To get started, begin by finding raw land in areas with potential for growth or future developments that could increase its value.
Next, conduct thorough due diligence, checking land titles, zoning laws, and access to roads to avoid legal complications. Develop a pricing strategy that attracts buyers while ensuring a reasonable profit margin for yourself.
Finally, use online platforms to market the land, and be prepared to negotiate to secure the best possible deal. This step-by-step approach can help you succeed in the niche of raw land flipping.
17. Rent out your storage space
If you have unused land or extra space in your home, renting it out for storage can be a simple way to generate passive income. Many people have belongings they need to store, and they’re willing to pay to use your unused spaces. You can offer storage solutions for vehicles, boats, personal items, and more.
Whether it’s a parking space, closet, basement, or attic, these areas can be monetized effectively. Platforms like Neighbor allow you to list your available storage space, potentially earning you between $100 to $400 or more each month, depending on the demand in your area and the type of storage space you offer.
This can be an easy and profitable way to make extra money without much effort.
18. Property manager
A property manager side hustle can be an excellent way to earn extra income. A property manager is responsible for finding and overseeing tenants, collecting rent, and handling repairs and maintenance tasks.
Many property owners pay for this service because they may lack the time or expertise to manage their properties effectively. Property managers can oversee long-term rentals like apartments, short-term rentals such as Airbnbs, and even commercial spaces.
For example, I have a friend who manages properties on the side of his full-time construction job. He oversees a variety of properties, from second homes and vacation rentals to homes where the owners are simply out of town, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
This side hustle not only provides additional income but also offers valuable experience in the real estate industry.
19. Home stager
If you’re passionate about real estate and design, starting a side hustle as a home stager could be a profitable venture. As a home stager, your role is to enhance the appearance of a home before it goes on the market, often leading to quicker sales and higher selling prices, which makes your service highly valuable to sellers.
To get started, consider staging homes for friends or family to build a portfolio. Capturing before and after photos is essential, as these images are powerful tools to showcase your work and attract potential clients.
Additionally, you can offer consultations to homeowners who prefer to handle the staging themselves, providing your design expertise in a more budget-friendly way for those who want a do-it-yourself approach. This side hustle not only allows you to express your creativity but also taps into a lucrative niche in the real estate market.
20. Home inspector
We recently bought a house, and our home inspector turned out to be someone who did home inspection as a side hustle. His full-time job was likely as a city inspector or something similar, which made him very knowledgeable in the field.
If you’re interested in real estate, home inspection can be a strategic side job that offers flexibility. You can set your own hours, making it possible to complete inspections on weekends or before and after your regular job.
To get started, you’ll need to invest in proper training and obtain a license, a process that can be completed relatively quickly. As a home inspector, your responsibilities include inspecting homes for potential issues, such as leaks or faulty wiring, and creating detailed reports based on your findings.
This side hustle not only provides extra income but also offers valuable insights into the real estate industry.
21. Start a real estate blog
Starting a real estate blog, YouTube channel, or social media account can be an excellent way to generate extra income without requiring significant upfront investment. With a real estate blog, you have the opportunity to share valuable content on various topics, such as local market insights, tips for buying and selling homes, property investment strategies, and even home improvement and DIY projects.
The beauty of starting a blog is that it allows for flexibility and creativity. You can create your own schedule, choose how you monetize your content, and even work from anywhere in the world.
Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or simply passionate about the industry, blogging can be a rewarding side hustle that might eventually turn into a full-time endeavor. As someone who has blogged for years, I can attest to the freedom and satisfaction it brings, making it a great option for anyone looking to explore new opportunities in the real estate space.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about real estate side hustles.
Can real estate be a side hustle? Is real estate a good side hustle?
Yes, real estate can be a lucrative side hustle. Many people do real estate activities on a part-time basis, which can include short-term rentals, getting a roommate, and more, with lower time commitments.
Is real estate worth it as a side hustle?
Real estate as a side hustle can be incredibly rewarding if you’re looking to diversify your income streams and have a genuine interest in the housing market. There are numerous avenues to explore within the real estate sector, each offering different levels of income potential and time commitment.
Whether you choose to invest in rental properties, become a part-time real estate agent, or manage vacation rentals, the opportunities are vast. The key is to select a gig that aligns with your interests, skills, and availability.
The flexibility in real estate allows you to tailor your side hustle to fit your lifestyle, whether you want to start small with minimal time investment or dive deeper into a more hands-on role. With the right approach, real estate can become a lucrative and fulfilling side hustle that not only provides additional income but also opens doors to future financial growth.
How can realtors make extra money?
Realtors can make extra money by managing rental properties, taking part in real estate crowdfunding, selling real estate photography services, and more.
Is real estate a good side hustle for teachers?
Real estate can indeed be a viable side hustle for teachers, offering various opportunities that can complement their primary profession. For instance, many teachers choose to work as real estate agents in their spare time.
This side gig can be particularly appealing because it allows teachers to manage property listings and sales during weekends, school breaks, evenings, and over the summer. However, it’s important to consider the potential challenges, such as the need for flexibility during the day, as clients might require your full attention at times that could conflict with teaching responsibilities.
Despite these challenges, the flexibility of the real estate market can make it an excellent side hustle for teachers who are willing to manage their time effectively and are passionate about the housing market.