Can You Be a Part-Time Realtor? A Complete Guide [2025]

Starting a real estate career doesn’t have to mean abandoning job security or drastically altering your lifestyle. The flexibility of real estate allows many aspiring agents to begin part-time while working a full-time job, raising a family, or pursuing other passions. But can you be a part-time realtor and find success? Absolutely.

With careful planning, time management, and strategic marketing, you can balance the demands of real estate with your other commitments. This guide walks you through the benefits, challenges, and actionable steps to help you thrive—whether you’re breaking in or exploring real estate as a side hustle.

What Are the Pros of Working Part-Time in Real Estate?

Working part-time as a realtor offers unique advantages for those who want flexibility and an additional income stream without taking on the risks of a full-time career.

1. Reduced Financial Risk

Real estate has upfront expenses, including licensing, association memberships, and marketing costs, with no guarantee of immediate earnings. Working part-time allows you to maintain your primary income to cover your living expenses while growing your real estate business slowly.

2. Test the Waters

If you’re not sure whether being a realtor is the right career for you, starting part-time gives you the opportunity to explore the industry without fully committing. It’s an ideal way to gain experience and see if the job aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

3. Flexible Hours

Real estate offers flexibility unmatched by most careers. Part-time agents can choose when to work by prioritizing certain types of clients or reserving evenings and weekends for tasks like property tours or prospecting.

4. Significant Income Potential

Despite being part-time, real estate can lead to substantial earnings. A single transaction often results in a significant commission, providing a lucrative return even with limited hours.

5. Build Skills for a Full-Time Transition

Real estate rewards skill and personality over time spent on the clock. When you start part-time, you build connections, refine your craft, and gain confidence—putting you in prime position to transition into full-time real estate if desired.

What Challenges Do Part-Time Realtors Face?

While real estate’s flexibility is appealing, part-time agents must be prepared for unique challenges that come with juggling responsibilities.

1. Limited Availability

Clients often expect their agents to be highly responsive, and balancing real estate with another job can limit your ability to attend to their needs promptly—especially during daytime hours. This may lead prospective clients to seek full-time agents instead.

2. Time Demands

Even with fewer clients, the time required for administrative tasks, showings, communication, and marketing can add up quickly. Without strong time management, you risk agent burnout or compromising service quality.

3. Perception Challenges

Some clients or brokers may perceive part-time agents as being less serious or committed than their full-time counterparts. It’s essential to demonstrate professionalism and reliability to overcome such biases.

4. Finding the Right Brokerage

Not every brokerage welcomes part-time agents, as they may prefer agents who can fully dedicate themselves to closing deals. Be upfront about your goals and availability when interviewing brokerages to ensure a good match.

Time Management for Part-Time Realtors

One of the biggest factors in your success as a part-time realtor will be how well you manage your time. Since you’re balancing multiple priorities, efficient use of your available hours is key to staying on top of your business. Here are some tips to balance real estate with another job:

• Create a Time-Blocking System: Dedicate specific blocks of time to real estate tasks. For instance: reserve evenings for prospecting or client calls and Saturday mornings for showings.
• Stick to a Routine: Establish a consistent schedule for recurring activities like lead generation or marketing. A predictable routine builds momentum.
• Leverage Technology: Use digital calendars, scheduling tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) software to keep track of appointments, leads, and communications.
• Set Clear Boundaries: Be clear with clients about when you’re available to avoid overpromising or feeling overwhelmed.

How to Build a Strong Marketing and Lead Generation Strategy as a Part-Time Realtor

For part-time agents, a great marketing and lead generation plan can help bridge the gap between limited availability and the need to attract new clients.

Build Your Online Presence

A professional online presence is vital. At AgentFire, we’ve designed our platform specifically for agents who need to maximize their impact with limited time. Our built-in lead generation tools and hyperlocal features help establish your authority in the market and showcase your services, listings, and expertise – allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

Prioritize Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can help you connect with prospective clients without requiring constant active engagement. Share informative posts, success stories, property photos, videos, and reels to show off your expertise and build trust.

Focus on Referrals

As a part-time agent, referral networks can be invaluable. If you lack the hours to close every lead, refer clients to trusted colleagues in exchange for a referral fee (usually 20-25% of their commission). This allows you to monetize leads even when your schedule is full.

Finding a Niche in Real Estate

As a part-time realtor, specializing in a niche can help you stand out and use your time more efficiently. Instead of broad attempts to serve every client, focus on areas that match your interests or expertise, such as:

• First-Time Homebuyers: Help new buyers navigate the complexities of purchasing their first home.
• Luxury Properties: Focus on high-end clients for potentially larger commissions per deal.
• Investment Properties: Work with property investors looking for rental or resale opportunities.
• Specific Demographics: Tailor your services to retirees, veterans, or relocation clients.

A niche helps prospective clients identify the value you provide, making it easier for you to establish credibility and win leads.

Common Questions About Being a Part-Time Realtor

How can you become a part-time realtor?

To start, you’ll need to complete your state’s pre-licensing requirements, pass the real estate exam, and join a brokerage. From there, focus on creating a clear schedule, using your available time wisely, and building a strong marketing plan.

How many hours a week do part-time realtors work?

The number of hours you’ll dedicate depends on your goals and client load, but most part-time agents invest 15-25 hours weekly. This includes evenings and weekends for client-facing work and other flexible hours for administrative tasks.

Can you do real estate part-time and still succeed?

Yes, success is possible with discipline, planning, and proper execution. Many part-time agents thrive by staying organized and focusing on high-value clients or referrals. However, expect a slower growth curve than full-time agents.

Understanding the Costs of Being a Part-Time Realtor

To plan your transition into real estate, it’s key to budget for both the upfront and ongoing costs associated with maintaining your license and running your business such as:

• Licensing Fees: Pre-licensing courses, exam fees, and license renewals.
• Marketing Costs: Business cards, website hosting, social media ads, and signs.
• Association Membership Dues: Fees for joining local, state, or national REALTOR® associations.
• Brokerage Fees: Desk fees, splits, or membership charges, depending on your brokerage.

Managing your expenses efficiently ensures financial stability while growing your real estate business part-time.

Final Thoughts: Can You Be a Part-Time Realtor?

Absolutely—being a part-time realtor is not only possible but can be highly rewarding with the right approach. Whether you’re cautiously transitioning into the industry or treating it exclusively as a supplementary income source, real estate offers opportunities for flexible growth.

The key to success lies in effective time management, strategic marketing, and prioritizing client satisfaction. By staying organized, focusing on high-value opportunities, and building valuable connections, you can balance real estate with your existing job or obligations and lay the groundwork for even greater success in the future.

Ready to start your real estate journey? We’d love to show you how AgentFire can help establish your online presence and automate key aspects of your business, giving you more time to focus on what matters most. Book a 30-minute demo today and let us help you build a website that works as hard as you do, even when you’re not actively prospecting.