Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Real Estate Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Real Estate

Real estate companies acquire, develop, operate, manage, lease, dispose, sell and market real property.

Real estate occupations include leasing managers, land development engineers, land administrators, facilities managers, landsmen, real estate agents, brokers, new home sales representatives, rental agents, zoning inspectors, shopping mall managers, property managers, building maintenance managers, superintendents, building security staff and space planners.

One of the most complex and important financial events in peoples’ lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and importance, people usually seek the help of real estate agents when buying or selling real estate.

Real estate agents have a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in their community. Real estate agents know which neighborhoods will best fit clients’ needs and budgets. Real estate agents are familiar with local zoning, tax laws, and know where to obtain financing. Agents also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers.

Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers wherein details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do so. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also manage their own offices, advertise properties and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their real estate business.

Real Estate Related Industries

• Architecture
• Construction
• Legal
• Sales