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Real Estate Degree Overview

Those pursuing higher education in business often consider real estate and real estate finance. In order to practice real estate, a certain level of training or education is required. All U.S. states require real estate brokers and sales agents to be high school graduates, at least 18 years old, to have passed a written test and received their real estate license. Other requirements vary from state to state, including the number of hours of formal training necessary, and possible continued education. Attending a school that offers real estate programs can help prepare students for this certification process and give them an edge over competition once they are practicing in the field. Many states also require agents and brokers to continue with their educations in order to renew their licenses, so taking additional courses may be helpful to individuals already working in the real estate industry. The degree of education you need depends on what type of real estate career you choose to pursue. If an individual wants to become a real estate agent, they must first earn a real estate license, and then sign on with a brokerage. Then after experience as an agent and passing another exam, they can move on to become a broker, who owns their own business and employs other salespeople.A bachelors or masters degree in real estate is required if individuals want to work in areas such as real estate law, business, human relations, mathematics, marketing/advertising, communications, accounting, property management, corporate real estate, governments or banks.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Career in Real Estate

Real estate is an exciting and essential part of the global society. Because real estate serves as a guarantee for mortgages and the foundation for mass amounts of capital, a large percentage of global financial assets are connected to real estate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there continues to be a demand for real estate professionals as the U.S. population growth spurs the need for housing and commercial space as long as real estate continues to be viewed as a good investment. With the median age of U.S. Realtors now in the early 50s, the BLS predicts 151,000 more will be needed by 2014 to replace retiring sales professionals. A career in real estate can be very rewarding, offering the potential for high earnings, status in the community, flexible schedules and a choice of environment in which to work, such as affiliation with a large or small firm, or as a listed real estate sales person. Real estate professionals are often able to work on evenings or weekends, making it a convenient occupation for individuals with families. However, a real estate career can also be very challenging, involving long hours and a lot of travel. It can also be very stressful, since most real estate professional's income is based on their sales, instead of a salary, where they receive a set-amount each month.

Career Opportunities in Real Estate

Real estate professionals can pursue careers in various parts of the real estate industry, including commercial property, industrial property, residential property, residential/commercial/industrial brokerage, mortgage banking, construction, title insurance, appraising, property management, leasing, real estate development, farm and land, appraisal, training, auctioneering, administrative duties, finance and property acquisition. The educational requirements for each area vary, depending on the set of skills needed. A few of the most popular real estate careers include positions as a real estate agent, property manager, real estate appraiser, assistant property manager, real estate analyst, entrepreneur, building manager, urban planner, real estate counselor and real estate researcher. Real estate salaries vary widely depending upon the job position, type of company you work for, location of job, educational background and market indicators. Income directly reflects your efforts, with no limits on what you can earn. Real estate employers are looking for real estate professionals who are goal-oriented, persevering, self-motivated, ambitious and people-oriented.