The job scene

Real estate careers - traditional and non-traditional

The real estate industry is forever growing and changing; and buying, selling and renting homes will forever be a key part of our society.

When most of the population think of jobs in the real estate industry, the two that immediately spring to mind are sales agent and property manager. Employment opportunities in the industry are far more varied than that.

During times of very active markets and property booms, growth in roles like sales consultants and sales executives is expected, but along with ‘selling’ jobs comes engine rooms of administration, which create many important and potentially well-paid roles such as sales assistant and executive assistant. Employees with project skills, second language skills and skills in international relationships can also be in demand. And with a busy property management sector, similar roles in administration, operations and client relationships are evident, as well as growth in leasing and marketing roles.

The finance sector opens up wide employment possibilities with finance and property intrinsically linked. There has been a noticeable rise in roles associated with property technology, quite often in the area of business development but also in customer service and relationship management. Property technology is likely to influence employment and career trends – as forward-moving roles in the real estate industry evolve through sales, property management, marketing, business development and social media management opportunities, for example.

Human relationships will increasingly be a critical element in real estate and technology should be able to make that experience more efficient and pleasurable for the agent and the customer. Strong agent teams, where not everyone does everything, will become increasingly more important, which means available employment opportunities are likely to be more diverse.

A quick look at the diversity of roles in real estate offices today already hints at opportunity. Looking outside the traditional business owner, sales agent and property manager, we find:

• Communications manager • Marketing coordinator • Graphic designer • Video and photo editor • Social media manager • Property finance consultant • Compliance officer • Accounts and payroll officer • Client services manager • Maintenance and facilities coordinator • Leasing inspector • Rent control administrator • Trust account administrator

Some will enter the industry in nonselling roles but then find their calling in sales and go on to become a licensed real estate agent. For some, it’s auctioneering. For others, it’s property management. And there are those who go on to own real estate business.

The future of real estate looks bright.

Ground-breaking technologies are so much part of the real estate scene, potentially shaping and enhancing experiences for those working within the industry and its customers.

Career opportunities are evolving and diversifying.

Many different property management positions and structures have evolved over the years and will continue to do so. For example, there are jobs in leasing that still require qualifications but don’t involve the ‘tough part’ of property management. There are marketing positions, especially for social media. Some offices have in-house photography positions. We have a Storage Shed Coordinator who manages all the storage complexes. There are any number of opportunities. Katie Knight, RE/MAX Success