The 12 Best Real Estate Side Hustles

Your next closing shouldn’t be your only paycheck.

The best real estate side hustles pull double duty: they add income and make you a sharper, more credible agent. Think skills you can use tomorrow at a listing appointment, systems that save time, and relationships that turn into future deals. 

In this guide, you’ll find 12 real estate side hustles that fit right in with the work you already do. For each one, we cover what it is, who it’s best for, how you get paid, the time needed, a simple starter kit, and how it supports your main business.

1. Showing assistant 

This is one of the simplest real estate side hustles: cover showings for busy agents or teams. You open doors, keep the schedule on track, answer basic questions, and share quick buyer feedback with the lead agent. Simple, people-first, and a fast way to earn while learning your market!

Who it’s best for

• Newer agents who want to build experience in the field
• Those with weekend-only availability
• People who enjoy face-to-face time and smooth logistics

Time needed
Plan on a few hours per week to start, with most requests landing on weekends.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Per showing (or per tour block) or hourly/flat block with a team
• Typical range: Public job ads and coaching guidance commonly land in the tens to low hundreds per showing (examples: $30 per showing, $40 per showing, $50 to $65 per showing; some teams cap a tour’s total at about $100 to $150); national hourly data for similar roles clusters around about $20 to $30 per hour

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Shared calendar link, route plan template, phone mount and charger, simple feedback form
• Nice to have: Booties or doorstops, measuring tape, quick feature checklist for each property

2. Transaction coordinator 

Manage contract-to-close admin tasks — from documents and scheduling to deadlines and communication updates — so deals stay on track. It’s the behind-the-scenes glue that keeps things moving and frees up agents to sell! 

Who it’s best for

• Detail lovers who enjoy checklists and calm communication 
• Agents who want flexible, mostly remote work
• Pros who like seeing every step of a deal without being client-facing full-time

Time needed
Usually flexible and remote; your workload scales with the number of files you manage at once. 

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Per file (payable at closing is standard) or hourly/salary on a team
• Typical range: Varies — many services and local providers price in the mid-hundreds per file, with variation by market and scope (National guides cite about $350 to $500, while individual providers list around $400).

Starter kit

• Must-haves: E-signature, shared file storage, a simple contract-to-close checklist, calendar reminders, and status update templates
• Nice to have: Transaction software (for example, Dotloop or similar), intake form, and a lightweight client portal

3. Inside sales agent (ISA) 

You handle calls, texts, and emails to qualify leads and book appointments for the team. Day to day, that means prospecting, nurturing, updating the CRM, and turning inquiries into scheduled meetings so agents can focus on clients. For more info, check out our guide to inside sales agents.

Who it’s best for

• People who enjoy structured call blocks, CRMs, and consistent follow-up
• Agents who want remote-friendly work and stability while working in the real estate industry
• Patient communicators who like turning “maybe later” into “yes, let’s meet”

Time needed
Daily calls and follow-up blocks, with many teams targeting dozens of contacts per week; evening and weekend touchpoints help you catch consumers when they’re available.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Hourly or salary with bonuses, or flat per-appointment bonuses
• Typical range: Base pay often lands around low to mid $20s per hour in the US, with bonuses on top

Starter kit

• Must-haves: CRM access, calling/texting tool or dialer, lead notes workflow, basic scripts, calendar blocks for follow-up
• Nice to have: Simple KPIs dashboard, saved text and email templates, intake form for handoffs

4. Listing media (photography, video, drone) 

You create listing photos, short video tours, and (optionally) aerial clips, then deliver polished files agents can drop into the MLS and marketing. Think photo capture, light editing, and clean delivery.

Who it’s best for

• Agents who like creative work and clear deliverables
• People comfortable with a camera workflow and basic editing
• Those looking for weekend-friendly schedules (many shoots happen when homes are available)

Time needed
Shoots usually take about 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on property size and services booked.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Per package, with optional add-ons (drone, video, floor plans, 3D)
• Typical range: Standard photo packages generally run about $150 to $300 per session,  depending on size and market; basic video add-ons are often about $300 to $1,500 per listing, and drone add-ons are commonly about $150 to $300

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Wide-angle lens or capable phone, tripod or gimbal, basic editing software, cloud delivery folder, simple usage-rights note
• Nice to have: External mic, portable lights, saved export presets, intake form for property details

5. Open house host 

Run the open house so the listing agent can focus on marketing and follow-up. You greet visitors, manage sign-ins, share basic property info, collect feedback, and capture leads for the team. Open houses are typically weekend events and a proven source of conversations and contacts when done well.

Who it’s best for

• Newer agents who want more face time with buyers
• Agents with strong event energy and clear, friendly scripts
• Weekend-available agents who like short, focused shifts
• Agents who want to gain experience working with more senior agents or listing agents

Time needed
Open houses usually last about 2 to 3 hours, plus setup and follow-up. Most are scheduled on weekends.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Per event or hourly when hosting for another agent or team
• Typical range: Hourly postings for assistant/host-style roles generally land around $18 to $30 per hour; some per-event roles pay a flat fee or a per-tour amount

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Sign-in system (paper or app), simple scripts, feature sheet, neighborhood highlights, and a follow-up template
• Nice to have: Directional signs, info riders, small giveaways, and light refreshments if allowed

Related Articles

• 16 Open House Scripts & Tools That Actually Get Phone Numbers
• 32 Open House Food Ideas, Recipes & Pairings To Sell Listings
• 26 Open House Ideas That Will Actually Get You Leads

6. Property management (long-term rentals) 

Oversee rentals for owners. Handle various property management tasks, like marketing vacant units, screening tenants, collecting rent, coordinating maintenance, and enforcing leases. It’s a systems-driven real estate side hustle for those who like steady monthly work. 

Who it’s best for

• Operations-minded agents who like checklists, vendor coordination, and steady communication
• Residential agents comfortable with the occasional after-hours maintenance call during emergencies

Time needed
Ongoing monthly cadence with spikes around turns and repairs; maintenance workflows and resident requests can require attention outside standard hours.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Percentage of monthly rent, plus tenant-placement and other à-la-carte fees; some firms use a flat monthly fee
• Typical range: Management fees commonly sit around 8% to 12% of collected rent; tenant-placement fees are often 50% to 100% of one month’s rent

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Rent and maintenance tracking in a central system, vendor list with response SLAs, owner/tenant message templates, and a simple turn checklist

Nice to have: Online payment tools, recurring work-order automation, and mobile maintenance apps for real-time updates

7. Short-term rental (STR) co-host/manager 

Help owners run Airbnbs and other vacation rentals: guest messaging, calendar and pricing tweaks, check-in instructions, cleaner coordination, and basic quality control between stays. Airbnb, in particular, lets hosts add co-hosts with specific permissions so you can handle day-to-day tasks. 

Who it’s best for

• Agents who enjoy hospitality
• Operations-minded folks who like systems, checklists, and vendor coordination
• People with flexible schedules around check-ins and turnovers (you can outsource cleaning)

Time needed
Your workload rises and falls with bookings. You’ll handle guest messages before and during each stay, then coordinate cleaners and restocking between turnovers. Owners can grant access (for example, calendar and messaging through a short-term rental management software) so you can manage day-to-day tasks without full account control.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Percentage of booking revenue (full-service) or fixed/percentage per booking via co-host payouts (on Airbnb)
• Typical range: Full-service STR management commonly lands around 20% to 30% of monthly booking revenue, with higher or lower percentages based on scope and market. Co-host arrangements vary and are set by the host in Airbnb’s payout options

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Messaging templates, turnover checklist, cleaner/vendor roster with response times, shared calendar, simple pricing notes
• Nice to have: Dynamic pricing tool, automated check-in guide, supply restock list, photo checklist for before/after turnovers

Related Article

How to Start an Airbnb Business in 7 Steps

8. Home staging and prep consults 

Offer walk-through consultations and a simple prep plan for sellers. You advise on decluttering, furniture placement, color tweaks, and quick cosmetic updates, then leave a clear checklist. 

Who it’s best for

• Agents with a good eye and a calm, encouraging style
• People who like short on-site sessions and tidy deliverables
• Sellers-focused pros who want to sharpen listing prep

Time needed
Short on-site sessions plus a brief recap, clustered around photo week and listing prep.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Per consultation or hourly
• Typical range: Initial consults commonly run $150 to $600, depending on market and scope

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Room-by-room checklist, photo notes template, tape measure, painter’s tape, simple staging scripts
• Nice to have: Light kit (lint roller, felt pads), neutral throw/pillow set for quick polish, before/after examples

9. Real estate virtual assistant (for agents/teams) 

Provide remote admin help to busy agents or small teams. Core tasks include listing input, MLS checks, inbox and calendar support, light transaction assistance, CRM cleanup, and basic marketing updates. Interested? Check out our list of the best real estate virtual assistant companies.

Who it’s best for

• Organized pros who like checklists and clear SOPs
• Agents who want fully remote work
• People who enjoy making systems simple and dependable

Time needed
Set weekly blocks with light surges around new listings and contract milestones.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Hourly or monthly package with scope
• Typical range: Many US postings and datasets cluster around $20 to $30 per hour

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Shared drive and naming rules, SOPs for each task, checklist board, email templates, calendar access
• Nice to have: Light dialer or texting tool for confirmed follow-ups, intake form for new requests, simple handoff template

10. Course creator/workshop host 

Teach what you know to agents or consumers through short workshops or an online course. Topics can include first-time buyer basics, offer strategy, or listing prep. This real estate side hustle also builds your authority and funnels warm leads. 

Who it’s best for

• Clear communicators who enjoy teaching 
• Senior agents looking to expand beyond the day-to-day real estate grind
• People comfortable with simple slide or video workflows

Time needed
Plan and build once, then deliver live or record and refresh as needed

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Ticket sales (workshops) or course sales (marketplace or self-hosted).
• Typical range: Virtual business/professional event tickets average around $91 on Eventbrite. Marketplace course list prices commonly run from $19.99 to $199.99.

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Slide deck, simple outline, registration page, confirmations, feedback form
• Nice to have: Recording tool, worksheet or checklist, basic follow-up sequence

11. Agent-to-agent referral network builder 

Build a niche network (for example, military relocations, seniors, luxury, relocation) and place outgoing referrals to trusted partners in other markets. You match clients to the right agent and stay lightly involved through closing. 

Who it’s best for

• Connectors who love making introductions
• Agents with a defined niche or feeder markets
• Detail-oriented pros who follow through

Time needed
Light touchpoints: intake, warm intro, and periodic check-ins

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Percentage of the receiving side’s commission, paid at closing via broker-to-broker agreement
• Typical range: 25% is a widely cited standard for agent-to-agent referrals, with variations by deal and market

Starter kit

• Must-haves: Intake form, shortlist of partner agents by niche/market, referral agreement template
• Nice to have: Tracking sheet for status and close dates, short handoff script

12. Template and printables shop (Canva/Etsy/Gumroad) 

Sell digital templates agents use every day: flyers, social posts, buyer/seller packets, checklists, and scripts. Create once, sell many times.

Who it’s best for

• Creatives who like clean layouts and tidy files
• Agents already making templates for their own business
• People who want a low-overhead digital product

Time needed
Front-load design work, then ship updates based on feedback and seasonality.

Earnings snapshot

• Pay model: Per-item or bundle sales
• Typical range: Single-item real estate templates on marketplaces often list from about $3 to $30; bundles priced higher

Starter kit

• Must-haves: A polished starter set, usage notes, clear filenames/folders, simple store page
• Nice to have: Demo images, seasonal variations, short license text

Professional standards to keep in mind

The right side hustle should add income and protect your license, reputation, and client trust. Use this quick checklist to stay safe and professional. 

1) Get the green light

• Brokerage approval: Some brokerages may require written notice for outside income. 
• Scope clarity: State when you act as an agent versus a service provider. Put it in your materials.

2) Handle money the right way

• Referral fees: Disclose relationships and compensation. Avoid anything that looks pay-to-play.
• Client funds: If you touch rents, deposits, or management money, follow your state’s trust-account rules exactly.

3) Know your licenses and permits

• Property management: Rules vary by state and city; confirm before you advertise or collect funds.
• Short-term rentals: Check local registration, taxes, and operating rules.
• Business license: Some cities require one even for small services.

4) Protect yourself

• Insurance: Confirm whether your E&O and general liability cover the service.
• Data: Store client information in approved systems and follow your brokerage’s retention policy.

5) Market clearly

• Truth in marketing: Be accurate about results and experience.
• Role clarity: Use titles that don’t blur agent vs service provider.
• Fair housing and accessibility: Apply the same standards you use in your sales practice.

6) Keep clean records

• Paper trail: Save approvals, scopes, invoices, and delivery receipts in one folder.
• Periodic review: Recheck local rules when you add a service or every few months.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)