23 Best Real Estate Side Hustles To Make Extra Money

Looking for Real estate side job?

Whether you’re looking for passive income ideas or part-time work (or more), there are a wide variety of real estate-related side hustles.

I’ve had a few real estate side hustles and I know a lot of people who have side hustles in this field. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get started in real estate. There are several real estate side hustles that you can start even if you’re a complete beginner or on a tight budget.

Key Takeaways

• There are many options for side hustles in real estate, ranging from income-generating properties to freelance opportunities and office jobs.
• You can supplement your income with short-term and long-term real estate strategies.
• Finding the right one depends on your convenience, investment capabilities, and financial goals.

The best real estate side jobs

Below you will find an overview of some of the best real estate related side hustles.

• House Hacking: Buy a property, live in one room and rent out the rest.
• REIT Investment: An easy way to start investing in real estate with little capital.
• Airbnb RentalRent out your spare rooms or entire property on a short-term basis.
• Property Management: If you’re organized and have a knack for people, managing real estate for others might be a great fit for you.
• Long-term rental: Becoming a landlord can help you generate a steady cash flow.
• Repair and resell: Buy properties in need of repairs, renovate them and sell them at a profit.

Below, read the full list and learn more about each one.

1. Home resale

For people who love real estate and enjoy fixing things up, flipping houses can be a good real estate side hustle.

Flipping a house basically means buying a house, repairing and renovating it to make it better, and then selling it for more profit.

The first step to successfully flipping a home is to find a property that has room for improvement — for example, a home in an area that’s undergoing improvements or has room to grow. Think about location, market conditions, and the condition of the property.

Before you spend money on anything, it’s important to carefully consider your financial situation. You need to calculate how much it will cost to buy, repair, and maintain the property, and think about the cost of materials, paying workers, getting a loan, and how much repairs will cost.

To successfully resell your home, you need to make smart changes that will improve the property without spending too much money, focusing on key areas like the kitchen and bathrooms and fixing any major structural or safety issues.

Recommended reading: 10 best books to make money flipping houses

2. Investing in REITs

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate. It’s a way to invest in real estate without directly managing or owning the property.

A REIT is like a company that owns and manages income-producing real estate. REITs sell shares of this company to people, similar to how stocks work.

Investing in REITs allows you to make money from the real estate industry without actually owning a property, so if you don’t want to go through the hassle of being a landlord, this might be a good option for you – it’s a lot less hassle than owning a property and managing it yourself.

REITs also allow you to diversify your funds and invest in different types of real estate, including residential, office, industrial and retail properties.

3. Find a roommate

Whether it’s a full-time roommate or renting out a spare room in your home short-term on Airbnb, having a roommate in your home can be a great real estate side hustle without too much effort.

The amount of money you can make from a roommate will depend on a few factors:

• Where is your house located (luxury or rural?)
• The space you will rent to your roommate (for example, do you have a private bathroom? Do you have a private entrance?)

To find a roommate, you can share on your Facebook page, post an ad on sites like Craigslist, or list your rental property on Airbnb. There are lots of places you can let people know that you’re looking for a roommate.

Previously, when I was younger, I had many roommates because I lived in a house with spare rooms, and I rented those rooms out to long-term tenants or people I knew personally (like friends or my sister).

Recommended reading: Tips for renting out a room in your house.

4. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals

You can make extra income by converting your property into an Airbnb or other short-term rental. This means renting out your space, be it an entire house, an apartment, or just a room, to travelers for short-term stays.

Before you start a side hustle with Airbnb, make sure you ask yourself the following questions:

• Check your local laws: Check to see if short-term rentals are allowed in your area. Many areas nowadays have stricter regulations regarding short-term rentals.
• Understanding your financial situation: Calculate your potential return against expenses like mortgage, utilities, maintenance, etc.
• Set up your space: Arrange the furniture and decorate to create a cozy environment.
• Advertise your rental property: Create a listing on rental platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo with high-quality photos.

The amount you can make varies, with some hosts making $5,000-10,000+ a month, but this depends on factors like location, type of rental, and occupancy rate. Always take into account increases and decreases in occupancy rate; this is part of the short-term rental business.

5. Real Estate Photography

If you’ve ever looked at a residential property listing and thought the photos were awful, this could be the perfect real estate side hustle for you.

Real estate agents often outsource their home sales photography because they know and understand how important good photos are.

Real estate photography is the act of taking pictures of homes and spaces to capture the attention of potential buyers. Real estate photographers take pictures of a home’s exterior, backyard, living rooms, attics, bathrooms, and more.

You can start with equipment you probably already have, such as a smartphone. Mobile phones these days have excellent cameras, so this will work well.

How you present your property has a huge impact on your clients’ chances of selling the property, so photography is more than just a photo – it’s a key element of how you promote your property.

As you continue with your real estate side hustle, you may want to consider investing in better equipment (like a real camera), but for now, focus on practicing and getting better at taking great photos by paying attention to detail.

If you are looking to do something special to earn money in the real estate industry, photography could be a great option.

Recommended reading: 18 ways to make money from photography

6. Real Estate Drone Photography

The drone pilot sells real estate photography services to help real estate agents promote the properties they sell.

When your property listing includes photos from different angles and heights, they provide a different perspective than regular photography, which can show aspects of the property that might be overlooked in traditional photos.

Using drones to sell real estate photography services means you’re providing a valuable service to real estate companies looking to stand out in a competitive housing market.

Drone photography is increasingly being used to sell homes, which makes sense as it showcases the surrounding area, and allows potential home buyers to see the entire lot and home, giving them a better idea of ​​what’s included in the home.

Recommended reading: How to make money with drones

7. Long-term rentals

A long-term rental is when you rent out a property for an extended period of time, usually six months to a year or longer. For example, you might rent out an apartment or house to a family to live in full-time.

Long-term rentals are different from short-term rentals like vacation homes or Airbnb properties. They are geared towards individuals and families looking for a long-term place to live.

The benefit of long-term rentals is the certainty and stability of your income. Renting your property to tenants over an extended period of time establishes a regular cash flow from rental payments. This stability is especially welcome for those looking for a reliable source of passive income.

Plus, it’s usually less hassle than a short-term rental, since you don’t have to clean your home every few days or find a new place to rent it out.

Recommended reading: How a 34-year-old man owns seven rental properties

8. Buy and hold for long-term wealth

If you’re looking to grow your wealth through real estate, a buy-and-hold strategy is the way to achieve perpetual growth. This means buying a property and holding it for the long term, getting the best of both worlds: appreciation in value over time and rental income for years to come.

Some of the positive aspects to consider about buying and holding real estate as a side hustle include:

• Thanks: Over time, real estate values ​​often increase.
• Rental income: You will get a steady cash flow every month.
• Tax incentives: Deductions can reduce your taxable income.

A buy-and-hold strategy requires patience and a willingness to adapt to market changes. It’s a long-term approach rather than a short-term one, but if you persevere, you can create an investment portfolio that will set you up for financial security in the future.

9. Real estate notary services

If you want to get further into the real estate industry without becoming an agent or broker, becoming a notary public could be a way to make some extra money.

Many documents, such as deeds, mortgages, and powers of attorney, must be notarized to be legally binding.

With a notary license, you can provide important services required for a variety of real estate transactions.

Notaries are important because they help verify that the person signing the document is who they say they are, to prevent fraud.

10. Rental Arbitrage

Rental arbitrage is a way to make extra money in real estate without owning the property: renting a place for a long period of time and then subletting it as a short-term rental using platforms like Airbnb.

Here’s how to get started:

• Check local laws: You should check if your city or state allows short-term rentals.
• Make sure your rental property allows this, not all rental properties allow it, so you should read your rental agreement carefully.
• Conduct market research: Understand the demand for short-term rentals in your target area, for example by finding locations with a lot of tourists or business meetings.

To make a profit in rental arbitrage, you need the difference between the cost of a long-term lease and the income from a short-term rental. The larger the difference, the greater your profit potential. But don’t forget to also take into account the costs of running a rental, such as cleaning and maintenance costs.

11. House Hacking

House hacking is a strategic approach to real estate where you buy a multi-unit property, live in one unit, and rent out the others. It’s a side hustle because the rental income can help supplement your living expenses.

If you’re looking to dip your toe into real estate investing with the added perk of reducing your personal living expenses, house hacking can be an easy place to start.

Back when we lived in a normal house, we house hacked for a while and lived with some roommates. The extra money we received each month allowed us to reduce our rent payments and save more money.

We house hacked our first house and it was amazing for us – it helped us save more money and prepared us to quit our jobs and become full-time bloggers.

If you are looking for a good book on house hacking, I recommend reading this one. House Hacking Strategies: How to Use Your Home to Achieve Financial Freedom By Craig Cuerop.

Recommended reading: What is house hacking and how to live for free

12. Real Estate Agents

A real estate agent is someone who helps people like you and me buy or sell property. They earn their income through a commission, which is usually a percentage of the property’s sales price.

To become a real estate agent and begin your career in real estate, you only need a high school diploma and a professional certification. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2024, the median wage is $23.45 per hour, or $48,770 per year.

And there are plenty of real estate agents out there who make a lot more than this.

13. Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer Lending

If you want to learn how to make extra money in real estate, crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending are areas to consider.

Crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest in real estate deals for less money than it would cost to buy the property directly, which can then generate passive income through rental income and potential property value growth.

Peer-to-peer lending platforms allow you to lend money directly to borrowers, and while they can potentially earn higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, there’s always the risk that the borrower won’t repay the loan.

Both crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending use technology to connect investors with individuals seeking capital.

14. Bird Dogging

Bird-dogging in real estate is a side hustle that helps investors find potentially profitable properties. The skill of spotting undervalued or distressed properties is key.

Typically what you need is:

• Conduct market research to find properties that are under-the-radar.
• Network with local real estate investors looking for deals.
• Learn how to use a multiple listing search service (MLS) to find opportunities.

Typically, you will be looking for foreclosures, bank-owned properties, and distressed homes that are scheduled to be sold quickly.

Your compensation as a Bird Dog will typically come from referral fees once an investor decides to move forward with your discovery. Importantly, you don’t necessarily need any initial capital to play this role, just the time and skill to identify promising investment opportunities.

15. General Contractor

General contractors handle the day-to-day operations on a construction site, whether it’s a home remodel or a new home construction.

This is usually a full-time job, but can also be done as a side hustle in real estate.

Working as a general contractor gives you the flexibility to choose projects that fit your schedule and interests. Though you’ll have a lot of responsibility, this role also gives you the opportunity to play a central role in turning plans into actual buildings, potentially earning you extra income.

16. Reselling undeveloped land

Being involved in undeveloped land resale means finding and purchasing undeveloped land, then selling it later at a profit.

The main advantages are that it requires less upfront investment compared to traditional real estate investments and is less complicated as no renovations or improvements are required. There are no buildings, but instead a few acres of land.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started:

• Finding undeveloped land – Research areas with growth potential or upcoming developments that could increase land values.
• due diligence – Thoroughly check land ownership, zoning laws and road access to avoid legal issues.
• Pricing Strategy – The selling price must be attractive enough for the buyer, while still allowing for a reasonable profit margin.
• Sales and Negotiations – Use online platforms to reach out to potential buyers and negotiate the best deal.

17. Rent out storage space

If you have some unused land or space in your home, renting it out as storage space is an easy way to make passive income.

People have a lot of stuff and will pay you to store their stuff in your unused space.

You can sell storage solutions for vehicles, boats, personal belongings, etc. You can also rent out parking spaces, closets, basements, attic storage, etc.

The site where you can list your storage space is called Neighbor, and you can make anywhere from $100 to $400 or more per month, depending on the demand in your area and the type of storage space you’re renting out.

Recommended reading: Naver Review: Earn money by renting out your storage space

18. Property Management Companies

A property management side hustle can be a great way to make some extra money.

Property managers are real estate professionals who find and manage tenants, collect rent, and handle repairs and maintenance. Property owners pay for them if they don’t have the time or skills to effectively manage their properties.

Property managers can manage long-term rentals like apartments, short-term rentals like Airbnb, and even commercial spaces.

I have a friend who works full time in construction and also does property management. He manages many different types of properties, from second homes to vacation rentals to people who are simply out of town. He checks on their properties to make sure everything is running smoothly.

19. Home Staging Companies

If you have a passion for real estate or design, starting a side business as a home stager could be profitable. A home stager’s job is to improve the appearance of a home before it is put on the market.

This often results in a quicker sale, a higher price, and makes your services more valuable to the seller.

If possible, you can start by staging your home for friends and family to build a portfolio. Before and after photos are a powerful tool to showcase your work.

You can also offer consultations to homeowners who prefer to do the actual staging themselves, and in those cases, your design style may be a more budget-friendly option for the DIY homeowner.

20. Home Inspector

We recently bought a home and our home inspector was actually a home inspector on the side – this was his side real estate job – and he worked full time as a city inspector (or something similar) so I would assume he was very familiar with the area.

If you’re interested in real estate, doing home inspections as a side job can be a strategic move. This job offers flexibility as you can set your own hours, such as on weekends or before or after your day job.

You will need to invest in the appropriate training and obtain your license, but this is a relatively quick process.

The responsibilities of a home inspector include:

• Inspect the home for issues such as leaks or faulty wiring.
• We will prepare and deliver a report based on what we find during the inspection.

21. Real Estate Appraiser

Real estate appraisers determine the fair market value of a property, a process that is important in transactions such as selling a home or refinancing.

Appraisers estimate a property’s value by taking note of the property’s unique features and comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold.

They then prepare a report detailing their findings and providing a valuation that banks and other institutions rely on when making loans.

22. Real Estate Wholesalers

Real estate wholesalers are agents who find properties below market price, enter into a contract with a seller, and then sell the contract to a buyer (often an investor). Their profit comes from the difference between the contract price with the seller and the amount the buyer pays.

Here’s a quick summary of what a wholesale real estate side job can do:

1. Finding distressed properties – Search for properties you can purchase below market price.
2. Appraise the property – Determine After Repair Value (ARV) and estimate repair costs.
3. Contractual protection – Enter into a contract with the seller and obtain the right to purchase.
4. Finding a buyer – Find investors interested in purchasing the contract.
5. Assign a contract – The purchase rights are transferred to the investor in return for a fee.

By developing the skills to find good deals and build relationships with trustworthy investors, real estate wholesaling can be a profitable real estate side business.

23. Start a real estate blog

Starting a real estate blog (or a real estate YouTube channel or social media accounts) is a great way to make some extra money without spending a lot of money.

With a real estate blog, you can write about local market insights, home buying and home selling tips, real estate investment strategies, home renovation and DIY projects, and more.

I’ve been a blogger for years and I absolutely love it – I can make my own schedule, decide how to make money online, travel when I want, and much more. And since this all started on the side of my day job, I’m convinced that a real estate blog can be started as a side hustle.

Check out our free “How to Start a Blog” course for more information.

FAQ

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about real estate side hustles.

Is real estate a viable side hustle? Is real estate a good side hustle?

Yes, real estate can be a lucrative side hustle, and many people do it part-time without putting in much time, such as by doing short-term rentals or finding roommates.

Is real estate a worthwhile side hustle?

If you’re looking for additional sources of income and are interested in the housing market and real estate, starting a real estate business as a side hustle could be worth it. As you’ve probably noticed above, there are many different types of side hustles, and the amount of money you can make and the time you need to put in will depend on the one you choose.

How can real estate agents make extra income?

Real estate agents can earn additional income by managing rental properties, participating in real estate crowdfunding, selling real estate photography services, and more.

Is real estate a good side hustle for a teacher?

Yes, real estate can be a good side hustle for teachers. There are plenty of options out there that can work well for teachers.

For example, some teachers work as real estate agents on the side. This is possible because it allows them to market and sell homes on weekends, holidays, evenings, and summer vacations. Keep in mind, however, that selling homes can come with challenges, as it requires your full attention to your clients during the day, which may overlap with your teaching duties.

You can find even more ideas in 36 Best Side Hustle Jobs for Teachers to Make Extra Money.

What licenses do I need to work a side job in real estate?

Some side hustles may require a specific license, such as a real estate license. For example, you need a specific license to be a real estate agent or home inspector. However, if you’re just looking for a roommate, you may not need a license. It all depends on which real estate-related side hustle you’re interested in.

How can you make money in real estate without buying property?

As we learned above, you don’t have to personally buy or own property to make money in real estate: you can invest in REITs, become a notary for real estate transactions, or incorporate affiliate marketing of real estate products into your blog.

Real estate side jobs – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on real estate side hustles.

Choosing the right side hustle in real estate can seem daunting, with so many options to choose from.

Some people like jobs that require them to do their work, like fixing up homes or managing Airbnb rentals. Others prefer jobs that allow them to make money without doing much, like REITs or renting out spare rooms.

No matter what you’re interested in or how much money you have to invest, there’s probably a real estate side hustle idea out there that fits what you have and what you want to accomplish.

What do you think is the best side hustle in real estate?

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