Teaching and Real Estate: How Teachers Can Succeed with a Real Estate Side Gig

When you think about it, there are many similarities between being a teacher and a real estate agent. Real estate agents lead buyers and sellers through a complicated process, teaching clients the required steps and best practices along the way. But are there enough hours in the day for a teacher with a real estate side gig? Let’s explore this idea and discuss teacher skills that transfer to the real estate industry and how to balance both careers effectively.

Key Takeaways

• With flexible scheduling, high income potential, and transferable skills, real estate offers teachers an ideal way to supplement their income while maintaining their teaching career.
• Strong communication, time management, multitasking, problem-solving, and empathy are all key traits that teachers can use to excel as real estate agents.
• Teachers can manage real estate tasks during evenings, weekends, and summer breaks. Using technology, teaming up with other agents, and choosing the right brokerage can make juggling both roles easier.
• Real estate licensing in Ohio involves completing pre-licensing courses, finding a sponsoring broker, and passing an exam—all of which teachers can fit around their teaching commitments.

Teachers and Side Gigs

We all know that teachers don’t go into education for the money. Unfortunately, many educators feel they need to supplement their incomes while molding the next generation of Americans.

In recent years, side gigs have become a way for teachers to diversify their income. Some teachers tutor as a side hustle. However, many teachers crave more adult interaction, which tutoring doesn’t offer. Others may drive DoorDash or Uber. However, this option may not appeal to those who seek a meaningful profession.

One increasingly popular side hustle option for teachers is real estate. Real estate stands out as a lucrative and flexible option. (You’ll be amazed at how much you can make your first year!) This blog explores why real estate is an ideal side gig for educators and how they can balance these two rewarding careers.

Skills Teachers Bring to Real Estate

Teachers possess valuable skills that translate seamlessly into the real estate world.

• Strong communication: Teachers excel in explaining concepts, a skill crucial for guiding clients through the buying or selling process.
• Time management: Balancing teaching responsibilities prepares educators to manage their time effectively in real estate.
• Multi-tasking: Teachers are excellent multi-taskers, which is a crucial skill for agents juggling multiple clients.
• Problem-solving: Teachers are adept at finding creative solutions, which helps them address client concerns or challenges.
• Empathy and patience: These qualities enable teachers to build trust with clients, creating lasting professional relationships.

Besides having all these teacher and real estate agent skills, teachers also know a lot of people in a community. Having an extensive network is valuable for those getting started in real estate.

Libby Winsink of Serenity Realty started as a teacher with a real estate side gig. She was a fifth-grade teacher for three years before completing a career transition into real estate. She spent a year teaching while also working part-time in real estate.

Winsink found that many of her teaching skills were also helpful in her real estate career.

“I found that many skills from teaching, such as time management, attention to detail, problem solving, and a genuine desire to assist others, seamlessly applied to real estate,” Winsink said.

How Teachers Can Balance Both Careers Effectively

Can a teacher be a real estate agent? Juggling teaching and real estate may seem daunting, but careful planning makes it manageable. Here are some tips on how to balance both careers.

Create a schedule

Define how much time you can dedicate to real estate without compromising your teaching duties. You may have only an hour per day to work on your real estate business at first.

“The evenings, weekends, and summer was my ‘real estate time,'” Winsink said. “I was lucky to have a two-hour block for planning and lunch, which I divided between preparing lesson plans and dedicating time to my real estate work. I would often use the last half hour to catch up on missed calls and emails. With my teaching day ending at 3:30, I had ample time in the evenings for property showings and necessary paperwork.”

Use technology

Leverage apps and tools to stay organized and streamline processes like scheduling and client communication. (Don’t worry if you aren’t sure how to do this. Someone within your brokerage will teach you all the best proptech tools!) Create an email drip campaign that automatically sends messages to clients based on their needs and where they are in the sales cycle.

Work as a part of a team

As a teacher, you can only focus on real estate tasks during evenings, weekends, or school breaks. Full-time agents may be excited to have you as part of their team because you can work when they want off from work responsibilities.

Choose the right brokerage

Real estate agents must work under the supervision of a broker at a real estate brokerage. Find a brokerage that offers resources for learning and growth and supports you doing real estate part time.

Why Real Estate Is an Attractive Side Gig for Teachers

Real estate offers several benefits for teachers.

1. Income potential

Teachers can significantly increase their income with commissions from real estate transactions. Part-time real estate agents could earn an average of $46,250 in the Ohio market, according to our 2025 Ohio Real Estate Salary Guide. According to Salary.com, public school teachers working full time in Ohio earn $57,702. You don’t need to be a math teacher to see that real estate is more lucrative than education.

2. Flexible scheduling

The ability to work around teaching hours makes real estate highly adaptable. The good news is that most people are only available to meet with their agents during evenings and weekends. Additionally, summer is Ohio’s busiest season for real estate, so this aligns well with teachers who have an extended break during June, July, and August.

3. Learning opportunities

Most teachers choose the profession because they are excellent students and love to learn. Real estate allows teachers to develop business, marketing, and negotiation skills. Many teachers find that they love taking real estate courses.

Real Estate Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Both teachers and real estate agents must be licensed in Ohio. It’s critical that you familiarize yourself with the requirements for getting a real estate license.

Step 1: Complete pre-licensing courses

Finish 100 hours of coursework covering Real Estate Principles, Ohio Real Estate Law, Appraisal, and Finance. Choose from in-person, live-stream, or self-paced online classes, and prioritize schools offering exam prep and support.

Step 2: Find a sponsoring broker

Before applying for the exam, secure a broker to sponsor you. Many real estate schools host events to help connect aspiring agents with brokerages.

Step 3: Apply for the exam

Submit your application via the Ohio Division of Real Estate’s eLicense Center. Include your course completion certificate, proof of legal presence, broker hire form, and background check details.

Step 4: Pass the exam

Schedule your test through PSI Exams. To earn your license, you must achieve at least 70% on both the state and national sections.

Balancing Teaching and Real Estate

Success in both roles requires balance. Teachers should create structured routines, communicate availability to clients, and leverage downtime during the school year for real estate activities. Building a network of referrals and prioritizing client relationships can help teachers achieve steady success in their side gig.

With their adaptable skill sets, teachers are uniquely positioned to thrive in the real estate industry. By setting realistic goals and managing their time effectively, educators can enjoy the rewards of a real estate side gig while continuing to inspire students in the classroom.

“For teachers looking to boost their income, real estate can be an ideal side venture. The combination of teaching hours and the flexibility of real estate makes it a viable option for anyone seeking additional income while finding fulfillment in their work,” Winsink said.

Are you excited to earn extra income working as a real estate agent? Get started on your real estate courses today through Hondros College. Hondros offers weekend and evening programs that will help you complete your real estate coursework in as little as six weeks. Get started today!

Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only, based on an August 2024 survey of Hondros College alumni and publicly available industry sources. While Hondros College strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the information. Earnings and outcomes vary widely based on factors like location, experience, and market conditions and should not be considered guarantees. This guide does not constitute professional advice. Users should consult additional sources for personalized guidance.