20 Clever Real Estate Side Hustles To Earn Extra Money

Last Updated August 25, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Looking to make money in the property market? Consider these real estate side hustles. 

Whether you’re looking for, passive income ideas or a side job, there are plenty of real estate gigs.

Believe it or not many of these don’t require upfront capital. 

I’ve gathered insights from many of my friends who work in the real estate industry to come up with these ideas.

I’ve also learned from those who have successfully pursued these side hustles firsthand.

In this post, you are going to learn the best real estate side hustles along with weekend real estate jobs. 

After learning all about these real estate gigs, you’ll have many ideas for generating income through property. 

This post is all about real estate side hustles.

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20 Best Real Estate Side Hustles:

1. Real Estate Agent

Becoming a real estate agent is one of the most popular ways to break into the real estate industry. It’s a great way to get first-hand experience in the world of property. 

As a real estate agent, you’ll help clients buy, sell or rent properties. This involves guiding clients through property transactions, negotiating deals and handling the necessary paperwork. 

If you’re looking for flexibility in terms of time and income potential this is a great option. Real estate agents earn income through commissions on property transactions which can be a lot of money, especially in high-value markets. So, this can be a lucrative real estate side hustle if you want to boost your income. 

One of the key advantages is the ability to schedule client meetings and property viewings in the evenings or on weekends. This allows you to balance your side hustle easily with other commitments. 

To get started as a real estate agent you’ll need to complete the necessary coursework and pass a licencing exam. Once licenced, you’ll have the option to work independently or through a brokerage. 

2. Property Manager

A property manager oversees the daily operations of rental properties, they are essentially the middleman between property owners and tenants. 

This role includes tasks such as collecting rent, handling repairs and maintenance requests and tenant inquiries.  

Property managers are also responsible for marketing vacant properties, screening potential tenants and ensuring the owner’s investment is profitable and well-maintained. 

Many property owners outsource this role because they may not have the time or proximity to manage the properties themselves.

For example, I have friends who have investment properties far from where they live and they rely on property managers to ensure everything runs smoothly.

With the increasing demand for rental properties, property managers are in high demand so this is a real estate side hustle worth considering. Property managers earn an income through property management fees which is typically a percentage of the rental income. 

If you have some property experience, great customer service and communications skills this is a great way to earn extra money. 

3. Invest In REITs

A REIT (Real estate investment trust) is a company that owns, operates or finances income-generating real estate and investors like you and I can buy shares in these companies.

They are a way to invest in real estate without directly owning the property. 

If you want to make money in real estate without the stress of being a landlord, investing in REITs is a great option.

It’s a hands-off approach that allows you to diversify your investments across various types of properties such as stores, houses, offices and factories. 

According to Investopedia, REITs are required to distribute 90% of their income to shareholders. This is great because it means you can earn a steady stream of passive income through dividends

You can read here to learn more about how to invest in REITs. 

4. House Flipping

If you like real estate and enjoy hands-on projects flipping houses can be a good real estate side hustle. 

House flipping involves buying a property at a lower price, renovating it and then selling it at a higher price for profit. This can be a lucrative side hustle, especially in areas where property values are rising. 

To get started, the first step is to find an undervalued property with the potential to be improved. You can find these properties by looking in up-and-coming neighbourhoods and searching online listings or auctions. 

When evaluating a property consider the area, current market conditions and the amount of work needed to fix the property. 

Before you put in an offer it’s crucial to look at the finances. This includes not only the purchase price, but also repair costs such as materials, labour, mortgage fees, and any other associated expenses. 

It is easy to underestimate these costs so I suggest including a buffer to be safe. 

For a successful house flip focus on making impactful improvements without overspending. 

You can do this by focusing on important areas like the kitchen and bathroom and addressing any structural or safety issues. 

By making strategic updates you can maximise your profit potential while keeping costs in check.

5. Rent on Airbnb

Renting out your property is an easy way to generate extra income. 

You can list your space on Airbnb and offer short-term rentals to travellers usually at a higher rate than long-term rentals. 

Before listing your property on Airbnb ensure you prepare your property for guests. This includes cleaning, furnishing and decorating to create a welcoming and comfortable environment.  

It’s also important to calculate your potential profits by comparing your estimated income against expenses such as the mortgage, utilities and maintenance costs.  

This is one of the best real estate side hustles because it allows you to monetise your property without committing to a long-term tenant. 

If your property is in a central location close to public transport links you could possibly earn  $1,000 – $5,000. However, this can vary depending on other factors such as occupancy rates and demand. 

6. House Hacking

House hacking is a strategy where you buy a multi-unit property and live in one unit while renting it out to others. 

This is a great real estate side hustle because it allows you to eliminate your housing costs while building equity in your property. 

The rental income from tenants can cover your mortgage payments, property taxes and maintenance costs leaving you with minimal expenses. 

Over time as the property appreciates you can benefit from increased equity and the potential for future profits. 

If you’re a first-time buyer house hacking may be a great way to enter the real estate market. It comes with minimal risk and allows you to reduce your personal living expenses and boost your savings. 

7. Real Estate Investing

If you’re looking to build wealth and generate passive income, real estate investing is a good option to consider. 

Real estate investing involves purchasing a property to generate money through rental income, property appreciation or ideally a combination of both.

There are various strategies you can pursue, such as acquiring rental properties, investing in commercial real estate or participating in a joint venture. 

Over time you can build a diverse portfolio that provides a steady cash flow and growth. 

This side hustle offers the potential to build long-term wealth and it’s a relatively stable investment compared to other asset classes. 

Once you’ve purchased your investment property you can adopt a hands-off approach by hiring a property manager to handle the day-to-day operations. This will allow you to sit back and collect your rental income each month. 

8. Home Staging

If you have a passion for design and real estate you can combine the two and start a home staging side hustle. 

Home staging involves preparing a property for sale by arranging furniture, decor and other elements to make the home more appealing to potential buyers. 

As a home stager, your job is to highlight the property’s best features, create a welcoming atmosphere and help buyers visualise themselves living in the space. 

This service can enhance a property’s selling price so it’s highly valuable for real estate agents and sellers. With the right skills and a great eye for design, you can charge premium fees for your services, especially in competitive markets. 

So, if you enjoy transforming spaces and know how to create aesthetically pleasing environments, home staging can be a rewarding way to earn extra income. 

9. Real Estate Photography

When it comes to real estate having the right photos is crucial as they’re often the first thing potential buyers notice when searching for a property. 

Real estate photography involves capturing high-quality images of properties for use in listings, marketing materials and virtual tours. As a real estate photographer, your job is to take photos that grab the attention of potential buyers and make the property stand out.

High-quality images can have a huge impact on a buyer’s perception of a property so your work is essential to a successful sale. 

With the increasing importance of online property listings, the demand for professional real estate photography is high. You can charge per session or per property and earn good money with this real estate side hustle.

If you have a passion for photography and a good eye for detail this can be an enjoyable and profitable side gig. 

10. Rent To Rent

Rent to rent is a strategy where you lease a property from a landlord, sublet it to tenants at a higher rate and earn a profit from the difference. 

This involves negotiating a long-term lease with the property owner, maintaining the property and finding suitable tenants. Overall the goal is to generate income from properties without the need for ownership. 

If you’re looking to get into real estate but don’t have upfront capital this is a great option for you. It’s one of the easiest real estate side hustles to get started with so it’s worth looking into.

Rent-to-rent can be profitable in areas with high rental demand where tenants are willing to pay a premium for well-located properties. 

This strategy is especially effective near college campuses, where students are eager to find convenient housing close to their school. 

To have success in this venture you’ll need to build strong relationships with landlords and have a good sense of market demand. 

If you have good communication and organisational skills and are committed to maintaining high property standards you can maximise your profits with this real estate gig.

11. House Multiple Occupancies (HMO)

House Multiple Occupancies (HMOs) is a strategy where you rent out individual rooms within a property to multiple tenants, often in a shared living arrangement. 

HMOs are similar to house hacking but different because you don’t live in the property yourself. 

This approach can be more profitable than traditional rentals as you can charge each tenant separately which leads to higher overall rental income.  You can also generate more stable income since the impact of a vacancy is minimised when you have multiple tenants. 

These properties are popular in student areas or locations with high demand for affordable shared housing.  

Managing multiple tenants is a lot of work, however, if you are organised and have the time and patience you can handle it yourself. If not you can hire a property manager to take care of the daily operations.

If maximising rental income is your goal, HMOs are one of the most effective real estate side hustles you can do. 

12. Get a Roommate

If you have a spare room in your home consider getting a roommate. 

This is one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to generate income from your property. It requires minimal effort and you can start earning money almost instantly. 

You can have a roommate on a short-term basis and make the arrangement as flexible as you want. 

If you’re looking to make some quick extra cash and don’t mind cohabitation getting a roommate can be a simple option to consider. 

13. Property Surveyor

A property surveyor assesses the value, conditions and boundaries of a property and provides essential information to buyers, sellers and investors.  

This involves conducting detailed inspections, analysing property data and preparing reports to help clients make informed decisions during real estate transactions. 

Surveyors play a critical role in ensuring that properties meet legal and safety standards. They can make a difference between purchasing a well-maintained property or one with hidden issues. 

This service can save people a lot of money and stress so it’s a highly valuable service. Given the importance of this work, you can command high fees so this is a lucrative real estate side hustle. 

You can work independently or as part of a real estate firm which allows you to have flexibility to choose your own hours and projects.

To be a property surveyor you’ll need to have a background in construction or real estate. Although it is not required it’s a good idea to complete the relevant training, certificates and licences. This will enhance your credibility and earning potential.

It will cost you some money initially, but our long-term returns will make it worthwhile. 

14. Bird Dogging

Bird dogging, also known as Property sourcing in the UK, involves finding potential real estate deals for investors in exchange for a fee. 

As a bird dog, your role is to find properties that meet your client’s criteria such as distressed properties, single-family units in a particular location or undervalued homes. 

Once you’ve found a potential deal you pass the information to the investor who then decides whether to pursue the opportunity. 

This can make a great weekend real estate job. You don’t need any capital and can work a flexible schedule. 

If you’re good at networking and have a solid understanding of the local real estate market you can make good money. Each successful deal you bring to an investor can bring in high commissions or finders fees. 

Watch this video to learn how to make money property sourcing (bird dogging)

15. Real Estate Blogger

If you are knowledgeable about property you can start a real estate blog. 

As a real estate blogger, you can create content about market trends, provide in-depth analysis and share practical tips for buyers, sellers and investors. 

You can monetise your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and selling digital products like eBooks. 

Blogging is a great side hustle that allows you to earn extra money alongside your full-time job. You can create your own schedule and work from anywhere so it’s a great real estate side gig.

16. General Contractor

General contractors manage construction projects and oversee everything from hiring subcontractors to ensuring work is completed on time and within budget. 

As a general contractor, you can work on a wide range of projects from small renovations to large-scale development so you’ll have flexibility in the types of jobs you take on. 

A lot of work is involved in construction so it’s usually a full-time job. But you can take on small projects and do it as a real estate side hustle. 

Skilled contractors are always in demand, especially in growing real estate markets. If you have a background in construction and enjoy managing projects becoming a general contractor could be a profitable way to leverage your expertise.

17. Rental Arbitrage

Rental arbitrage is another great way to make money in real estate without owning a property. With this strategy, you lease a property and sublet it for short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb. 

The goal is to profit from the difference between the rent you pay to the property owner and the income you generate from subletting. When calculating potential profits it’s important to account for expenses like maintenance and cleaning costs. 

It’s similar to the rent-to-rent strategy I mentioned earlier, but slightly different because this approach focuses on short-term accommodation.  

This strategy can be particularly lucrative in areas with a high demand for short-term rentals where you can charge a premium for nightly or weekly stays. 

With the right approach, rental arbitrage can provide a steady stream of income with relatively low upfront costs. 

18. Be a Virtual Assistant for Realtors

If you really want to work in real estate but don’t have property knowledge consider becoming a virtual assistant (VA) for realtors. 

As a VA, you’ll provide administration support remotely. This includes handling tasks such as managing appointments, responding to emails and maintaining client databases. 

Your assistance allows realtors to focus on their core responsibilities such as meeting with clients and closing deals. 

This role offers flexibility as you can work from home and set your own schedule. 

By working with multiple realtors simultaneously you can increase your income potential. 

Related: How To Become a Virtual Assistant (Without Experience)

19. Peer To Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer lending is where you lend money to real estate investors or developers through online platforms. 

As a P2P lender, you can potentially earn high interest on your returns as the rates are often higher than traditional savings accounts or bonds. This makes it a great option if you have some capital to invest. 

However, as with all investments, there are some risks such as delays or the borrower defaulting on payment. 

Most platforms will outline the risks so ensure you research thoroughly before committing your funds. 

20. Be a Lender

Being a private lender is another good real estate side hustle if you have capital to invest. 

As a private lender, you’ll provide financing to real estate investors or home buyers. You can structure loans with terms that meet your financial goals whether that’s short-term flipping or longer-term mortgages. 

This is a great way to earn interest on income while helping others finance their real estate projects.

Lending to experienced investors can yield high returns, but it’s important to recognise the associated risks. By carefully selecting your borrowers and securing loans with real estate as collateral you can minimise your risks and ensure a steady stream of passive income. 

Final Thoughts about Real Estate Side Hustles

Each of these real estate side hustles offers unique opportunities to generate income whether through active involvement or passive investment. 

By leveraging your skills, interest and available resources you can choose the side hustle that best aligns with your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or build long-term wealth real estate is a great industry to explore. 

I hope you have found this post helpful and now have many ideas for real estate side hustles. Which side hustle will you try? Let me know in the comments below. 

This post was all about real estate side hustles.

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