Looking for a real estate side hustle?

Whether you are looking for passive income ideas or if you are looking for a part-time job (or more!), there are many different real estate side hustles.

I have done a few different real estate side gigs, and I know many people who have side hustles in this area as well. To get started in real estate, you don’t have to spend a lot of money – there are several real estate side gigs that can be started even if you are brand new or are on a budget.

Key Takeaways

• Real estate side hustles have a range of options from income generating assets to freelance opportunities to office jobs.
• You can supplement your income with both short-term and long-term real estate strategies.
• Finding the right fit depends on your availability, investment capacity, and financial goals.

Best Real Estate Side Hustles

Here’s a quick summary of some of the different best real estate side hustles:

• House hacking: Buy a property, live in one unit, and rent out the rest.
• REIT investing: An easy way to start investing in real estate with less capital.
• Airbnb rentals: Rent out a spare room or an entire property on a short-term basis.
• Property management: If you’re organized and good with people, managing properties for others could be a perfect fit.
• Long-term rentals: Becoming a landlord can generate steady cash flow.
• Fix and flip: Buy properties that need work, renovate them, and sell them for a profit.

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

1. House flipping

Flipping houses can be a good real estate side hustle if you like real estate and enjoy fixing things up.

When you flip houses, you’re basically buying homes, making them better with repairs and upgrades, and then selling them to make more money.

The first thing to do for a successful house flip is to find a property that can be made better, such as by looking for homes in neighborhoods that are getting better or have room to grow. Think about things like where it is, what the market is like, and the condition of the property.

Before putting money into anything, it’s important to carefully look at the finances. You’ll want to figure out how much it will cost to buy, fix, and keep the property, and think about things like the cost of materials, paying workers, getting a loan, and the costs while you’re fixing things.

To flip a house well, you need to make smart changes that make the property better, without spending too much, by concentrating on important areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, and fixing any big problems with the structure or safety.

Recommended reading: 10 Best Books on Flipping Houses To Make Money

2. Investing in REITs

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate. They are a way for you to invest in real estate without directly managing or owning properties.

An REIT is like a company that owns and takes care of real estate that makes money. They sell shares of this company to people, kind of like how stocks work.

When you invest in REITs, you can earn money from the real estate world without actually owning any property. So, if you don’t want to deal with being a landlord, this could be a good option. It’s way less work than owning property and handling it yourself.

You can even spread out your money and invest in different kinds of properties with REITs, like houses, offices, factories, and stores.

3. Getting a roommate

Getting a roommate in your home, whether that be a full-time roommate or renting out an extra room in your home short-term on Airbnb, can be a great real estate side hustle that doesn’t require very much work from you.

The earnings you can make from having a roommate depend on things like:

• Where your home is (an expensive area? rural?)
• The space you are renting to a roommate (for example, do they get their own bathroom? private entrance available?)

To find a roommate, you can share about it on your own Facebook page, put up an ad on sites like Craigslist, or make a rental listing on Airbnb. There are lots of places where you can let people know you’re looking for a roommate.

I have had many roommates in the past when I was younger and had a home with spare bedrooms. I would rent them out to long-term renters and people that we personally knew (such as friends and my sister).

Recommended reading: Tips For Renting A Room In Your House.

4. Airbnbs and vacation rentals

Turning your property into an Airbnb or other short-term rental can be a way to generate extra income. This is when you rent out your space, whether a full house, an apartment, or just a room, to travelers for short stays.

Before starting your Airbnb side hustle, be sure to:

• Check local laws: Make sure short-term rentals are permitted in your area. There are many areas nowadays that are more strict when it comes to short-term rentals.
• Understand the financials: Calculate potential earnings against expenses like mortgage, utilities, and maintenance.
• Set up your space: Furnish and decorate to create a welcoming environment.
• Market your rental: Use high-quality photos and create listings on rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.

The amount you can earn can vary, with some hosts making around $5,000 to $10,000 a month or more, but this depends on factors such as location, rental type, and occupancy rates. Always plan for occupancy ebbs and flows – it’s part of the short-term rental business.

5. Real estate photography

If you’ve ever looked at a house listing and thought that the pictures looked awful, then this may be the real estate side hustle for you.

Real estate agents many times hire out for the photography side of selling a house, as they know and understand how important good pictures are.

Real estate photography is all about taking pictures of houses and spaces to grab the attention of people who might want to buy them. Real estate photographers might take pictures of the outside of a house, the backyard, the living room, attic, bathroom, and more.

You can start with the equipment you likely already have, like your smartphone, which can work well because phones these days have great cameras.

How you show a property can really impact a client’s chance of selling it. Your photos are not just pictures; they’re an important part of how the property gets advertised.

As you continue with this real estate side hustle, you might think about getting better equipment (like a real camera!), but for now, practice paying attention to details and getting better at taking pictures.

If you’re thinking about doing something extra to earn money in real estate, photography could be a great choice.

Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures

6. Real estate drone photography

Drone pilots sell real estate photography services to help real estate agents showcase the properties they are selling.

When property listings include pictures from various angles and heights, it gives a different perspective compared to regular photos. This helps show aspects of real estate that traditional pictures might miss.

When you sell property photography services using your drone, you’re providing a valuable service to real estate companies that want to stand out in a crowded housing market.

Homes are increasingly being sold using drone photos, and it’s understandable because they can showcase the surroundings of a home. Also, potential home buyers can see the entire property and house through a drone picture, giving them a better understanding of what the home includes.

Recommended reading: How To Make Money With A Drone

7. Long-term rentals

A long-term rental is when you rent out a property for a long amount of time, usually six months to a year or even longer. An example would be renting 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 listings. They are meant for people or families looking for a longer place to live.

A benefit of long-term rentals is the reliable and steady income they can give you. When you rent your property to tenants for an extended period, you set up a regular cash flow of rental payments. This stability can be especially nice for people who are looking for a dependable source of passive income.

Plus, it’s usually less work than a short-term rental, because you don’t have to clean the home every few days or find new people to rent out to.

Recommended reading: How This 34 Year Old Owns 7 Rental Homes

8. Buy and hold for long-term wealth

If you want to grow wealth through real estate, the buy-and-hold strategy is a way to achieve lasting growth. This means buying a property and keeping it for an extended period, benefiting from both its increasing value over time and the rental income it makes you over the years.

Some positives to think about with a buy-and-hold real estate side hustle include:

• Appreciation: Over time, real estate often increases in value.
• Rental income: It can provide a steady cash flow each month.
• Tax advantages: Possible deductions can reduce your taxable income.

The buy-and-hold strategy requires patience and a willingness to handle market changes. It’s a long-term approach, not a quick one, but if you stay persistent, you can create an investment portfolio for future financial stability.

9. Notary services for real estate

If you want to get more into the real estate world without becoming an agent or broker, becoming a notary public can be a way to make extra money.

Many documents, including deeds, mortgages, and power of attorney, require notarization to be legally binding.

With a notarization license, you can provide an important service required for different real estate transactions.

Notaries are important because they help make sure that the people signing documents are who they claim to be to prevent fraud.

10. Rental arbitrage

Rental arbitrage is a way to make extra money in real estate without owning a property. You rent a place for a long time and then sublease it as a short-term rental using platforms like Airbnb.

Here’s how to get started:

• Check local laws: You’ll want to make sure your city or state allows for short-term rentals.
• Make sure the rental allows for you to do this: Not every rental will be okay with you renting it out. You will want to read your rental contract carefully.
• Do market research: Understand the demand for short-term rentals in your target area, such as by looking for locations with high tourist traffic or business conferences.

Potential Benefits	Considerations
+ Strong cash flow potential	– Initial setup and furnishing cost
+ Low startup costs compared to buying	– Dependence on short-term rental market stability

Making money in rental arbitrage comes from the difference between the cost of the long-term lease and the income from short-term rentals. The bigger the gap, the more potential for profit. But remember to factor in the expenses of running the rentals, like cleaning and maintenance costs.

11. House hacking

House hacking is a strategic approach to real estate where you purchase a property with multiple units and live in one unit while renting out the others. This is a side hustle because it can help offset your living expenses through the rental income.

House hacking can be an easy starting point if you want to dip your toes into real estate investing with the added perk of reducing your personal living expenses.

Back when we were living in a traditional house, we house hacked for a little while and had a few different roommates live with us. The monthly rent we collected allowed us to lower our house payments and put more money in savings. 

We house hacked with our first house, and it was really great for us. Being able to set more money aside even helped me get ready to quit my job to become a full-time blogger.

If you are looking for a good book on the subject of house hacking, then I recommend reading The House Hacking Strategy: How to Use Your Home to Achieve Financial Freedom by Craig Curelop.

Recommended reading: What Is House Hacking & How To Live For Free

12. Real estate agent

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

To become a real estate agent and start this real estate career, you only need a high school diploma and a professional license. As of 2021, the median pay, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $23.45 per hour, or $48,770 per year.

And, there are tons of real estate agents who make a lot more money than this.

13. Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending

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

Crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest in real estate deals with a smaller amount of money compared to purchasing property outright. This can provide you with passive income through rental returns or potential property value appreciation.

Peer-to-peer lending platforms enable you to lend money directly to borrowers. You can potentially earn higher returns compared to traditional savings accounts, but there is always the risk of a borrower not repaying the loan.

Both crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending utilize technology to connect investors with individuals seeking funding.

14. Bird dogging

Bird dogging in real estate can be a side hustle where you help find potentially profitable properties for investors. Your skill in spotting undervalued or distressed properties is important.

Here’s what you usually need to do:

• Conduct market research to locate properties that are flying under the radar.
• Build a network with local real estate investors who are looking for deals.
• Learn to use the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to spot opportunities.

Typically, you’ll be on the lookout for foreclosures, bank-owned properties, and distressed homes due for a quick sale.

As a bird dog, your compensation usually comes from a referral fee after the investor decides to move forward with your find. Importantly, to perform this role, you don’t necessarily need any initial capital, just the time and skill to identify promising investment opportunities.

15. General contractor

General contractors handle the day-to-day activities on construction sites, overseeing tasks from residential remodels to constructing new homes.

This is typically more of a full-time job, but this can sometimes be done as a real estate side hustle.

As a general contractor, you can choose projects that match your schedule and interests, providing flexibility. Despite the responsibilities, this role allows you to play a central role in turning plans into actual buildings, giving you the potential to make extra money.

16. Flip raw land

Getting involved in raw land flipping is when a person finds and buys undeveloped land to sell later at a profit.

The main benefits include a lower initial investment and less complexity compared to traditional real estate investments, as it doesn’t involve renovation or improvements. There are no buildings, instead it may be a lot or acres of land.

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

• Find raw land – Research areas with potential growth or upcoming developments that could boost land value.
• Due diligence – Perform thorough checks on land titles, zoning laws, and road access to avoid legal issues.
• Pricing strategy – Your selling price should be attractive enough for buyers yet ensure you make a reasonable profit margin.
• Sell and negotiate – Use online platforms to reach potential buyers and negotiate the best deal.

17. Rent out your storage space

If you have unused land or space in your home, renting it out for storage space can be an easy way to make passive income.

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

You can sell storage solutions for vehicles, boats, personal belongings, and more. You can rent out your parking space, closet, basement, attic storage, and more.

A site where you can list your storage space is called Neighbor and you can earn $100 to $400+ each month. This depends on the demand in your area and the type of storage space you are renting out.

Recommended reading: Neighbor Review: Make Money Renting Your Storage Space

18. Property manager

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

A property manager is a real estate professional who finds and oversees tenants, collects rent, and handles repairs and maintenance activities. It’s a side hustle that property owners pay for because they may not have the time or skills to effectively manage their own property.

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

I have a friend who is a property manager on the side of his full-time construction job – he manages many different types of properties, from second homes to vacation rentals to someone simply being out of town. He checks on their properties to make sure that everything is running smoothly.

19. Home stager

If you’re passionate about real estate and design, starting a side hustle as a home stager could be profitable for you. As a home stager, your job is to improve the appearance of a home before it’s listed for sale.

This often results in faster sales and higher prices, making your service valuable to sellers.

You can start by staging homes for friends or family, if possible, to build a portfolio. Before and after photos are powerful tools to showcase your work.

You can even provide consultations to homeowners who prefer to do the actual staging themselves. In such cases, your design style can be a more budget-friendly option for a do-it-yourself homeowner.

20. Home inspector

We recently bought a house, and our home inspector was actually a home inspector on the side – this was his real estate side hustle! I think he was a city inspector (or something similar) full-time, so he was very knowledgeable in the area.

Home inspection as a side job can be a strategic move if you’re interested in real estate. This job allows for flexibility since you can set your hours, such as by completing home inspections on the weekends or before or after your day job.

You’ll need to invest in proper training and get licensed, which is a process that can be completed relatively quickly.

The responsibilities of a home inspector include:

• Inspecting homes for possible problems, like a leak or bad wiring.
• Creating and delivering reports based on what you find during the inspection.

21. Real estate appraiser

Real estate appraisers determine the fair market value of a property, and this process is important in transactions, such as home sales and refinances.

Appraisers assess property values by taking notes on unique characteristics and comparing them with similar properties that have sold recently.

They then prepare reports, detailing findings and providing a valuation that banks and other institutions depend on for loans.

22. Real estate wholesaler

Real estate wholesalers are middlemen who find properties under market value, contract them with the seller, and then sell the contract to a buyer, often an investor. Their profit comes from the difference between the contracted price with the seller and the amount the buyer pays.

Here is a quick summary of what a wholesale real estate side hustle is:

1. Find a distressed property – Search for properties that can be bought below market value.
2. Evaluate the property – Determine the After Repair Value (ARV) and estimate repair costs.
3. Secure under contract – Enter into a contract with the seller, giving you the right to purchase.
4. Find a buyer – Locate an investor interested in buying the contract.
5. Assign the contract – Transfer your purchasing rights to the investor for a fee.

By becoming skilled at finding good deals and building connections with trustworthy investors, real estate wholesaling can become a profitable real estate side hustle.

23. Start a real estate blog

Starting a real estate blog (or even a real estate YouTube channel or social media account!) can be a good way to make extra money without having to spend a lot of money.

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

I have been a blogger for years, and I really love it. I am able to create my own schedule, decide how I make money online, travel whenever I want, and more. And, it all started on the side of my day job – so I definitely think that a real estate blog can be started as a side hustle.

Learn more at How To Start A Blog FREE Course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about real estate side hustles.

Can real estate be a side hustle? Is real estate a good side hustle?

Yes, real estate can be a lucrative side hustle. Many people do real estate activities on a part-time basis, which can include short-term rentals, getting a roommate, and more, with lower time commitments.

Is real estate worth it as a side hustle?

Real estate as a side hustle can be worth it if you are looking for more income streams and have an interest in the housing market or real estate. As you probably noticed above, there are many different kinds of side hustles, so the amount of money you can earn or the amount of time you will spend will just depend on the gig you choose.

How can realtors make extra money?

Realtors can make extra money by managing rental properties, taking part in real estate crowdfunding, selling real estate photography services, and more.

Is real estate a good side hustle for teachers?

Yes, real estate can be a good side hustle for teachers. There are many options that may work for a teacher.

For example, some teachers work as real estate agents on the side. This is possible because you can handle listing and selling homes during weekends, breaks, evenings, and over the summer. However, keep in mind that selling homes might pose challenges, as clients may require your full attention during the day, which could clash with your teaching commitments.

You can find more ideas at 36 Best Side Jobs for Teachers To Make Extra Money.

Which licenses might be required to pursue a side hustle in the real estate field?

Depending on the side hustle, certain licenses like a real estate license may be required. For example, to become a real estate agent or home inspector, you’ll need a specific license. However, if you’re looking into just getting a roommate, then you may not need a license. It all just depends on the real estate side gig you are interested in.

How to make money in real estate without ever buying any property?

As you learned above, you don’t need to personally buy or own real estate in order to make money in real estate. You can invest in REITs, become a notary for real estate transactions, include affiliate marketing for real estate products on a blog, and more.

Real Estate Side Hustles – Summary

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

Picking the right side hustle gig in real estate might feel overwhelming because there are many choices.

Some people might like jobs where you have to do more, like fixing up houses or taking care of Airbnb rentals. Others might prefer making money without doing much, like through REITs or renting out a spare room.

Whatever you’re into or however much money you have to invest, there are probably real estate side business ideas that fit with what you have and what you want to achieve.

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

Recommended reading: