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Top 7 Careers in Real Estate

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There’s a diverse range of fast-paced and interesting career opportunities in real estate – but what do these involve, exactly? In this blog post, we’ve outlined a variety of different careers in real estate and pulled together information on why you might want to study real estate. But to start with the basics, let’s begin by looking at what real estate actually is.

“Real estate” refers to physical property – in other words, land and any buildings or resources attached to that land. There are several different types of real estate you might work with. Real estate can involve residential property such as houses, apartments, or empty land intended for housing. It can also involve commercial property – buildings or land intended for business use – which includes everything from offices to cafés to leisure centres. Then there’s industrial real estate, which mostly involves larger properties such as warehouses or factories, or you might be working with land, which includes both developed land – such as farms or ranches – or undeveloped land that has been identified as having potential for income.

To put it simply, real estate involves a wide range of physical properties. And, as you might imagine, there’s an equally diverse range of career opportunities in real estate, in a wide range of locations – real estate agents are required everywhere, from the big city to more rural areas.

This rewarding, sociable, fast-paced career path involves a wide range of work related to buying, selling, leasing and developing property, helping clients to invest, and brokering purchases. And if you’re considering a career in real estate, then a real estate degree can be a fantastic way to equip yourself with the knowledge and experience needed to begin your career.

Why study real estate?

There are many reasons why you should study real estate. This fast-paced industry is perfect for those who thrive on embracing new challenges and opportunities. Careers in real estate involve working with a wide range of clients and properties, as well as understanding market fluctuations to know when and where to invest.

Here are just some of the many fantastic opportunities that careers in real estate open up:

Lucrative income potential

Although (as you’d expect) your income will vary based on your location and role within your company, there’s the potential to earn a significant salary working in real estate. The average base salary for a real estate agent in the UK is £31,622 per year (Indeed 2023, based on 3.8k salaries), with the potential to earn from property investment, sales commissions, and property management fees.

Global opportunities

Love to travel? Careers in real estate mean you’re not limited to just one area – plus there’s always the option of exploring international real estate markets, which can open up a global career.

Diverse career options

There’s a very wide range of career opportunities in real estate, from sales and property management to development, appraisal and investment.

Versatility

With real estate encompassing different property types – from residential and commercial properties to agricultural land and industrial developments – you’ll be able to specialise in whatever area of real estate interests you most.

Careers in real estate

There’s a wide range of career opportunities in real estate. Whether you enjoy the client-facing work involved in sales and negotiations or are more interested in honing your skills in investment analysis, you’ll be able to settle into a role that plays to your strengths and interests. You could even start your own real estate business as a real estate broker, property manager, or developer.

Not sure where to get started? Here are some of the diverse careers in real estate you might want to consider:

1. Real estate agent

Real estate agents act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. They earn a commission for helping clients to buy, sell or rent properties. Work might include creating listings for properties, showing clients properties, making negotiations, and preparing any necessary paperwork.

2. Mortgage loan officer

Mortgage loan officers help clients secure a loan so that they can purchase a property. Duties include evaluating clients’ financial situations and credit scores, identifying the best mortgage terms, recommending loan options, and guiding clients through the process of applying for a loan.

3. Real estate lawyer

Real estate lawyers are responsible for providing the legal expertise required for property transactions. Working on behalf of a seller, renter, or buyer, they ensure contracts and agreements apply with the law and represent clients in disputes or negotiations.

4. Real estate development director

Real estate development directors oversee the planning and execution of large-scale development projects. Responsibilities include leading on identifying development opportunities (from land acquisition to construction), liaising with architects and building contractors, and managing budgets and timelines to ensure projects are completed successfully and profitably.

5. Real estate asset manager

Real estate asset managers take responsibility for optimising the performance of real estate investments. They oversee property portfolios to maximise returns for investors, with duties including analysing market trends, negotiating leases, overseeing the management of properties, and making high-level strategic decisions.

6. Real estate developers

Got a taste for high-risk, high-reward projects? Working as a real estate developer involves identifying and purchasing land for development, and managing the design and construction of new residential or commercial buildings on these sites. This career path often involves taking on substantial risks to bring new projects to life – but can also yield significant financial rewards.

7. Real estate investment analysts

As the name suggests, real estate investment analysts assess investment opportunities through financial analyses, monitoring market trends, managing property portfolios, evaluating property performance, and preparing reports with recommendations for investors. The complex nature of this work means that there’s the potential to earn substantially higher income in this role.

Study real estate at the University of Aberdeen

There are many rewarding career opportunities in real estate. And studying for a degree or masters in real estate can set you up for employment in this industry.

The University of Aberdeen offers the opportunity to study a world-class degree in real estate in the 5th oldest university in the UK. The University is ranked 12th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2024, and its real estate courses are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The University has also seen recent success in the prestigious ‘Cornell International Real Estate Competition’ in New York, with Aberdeen students finishing 4th out of 17 universities, beating rivals from Cambridge, Australia, Hong Kong, USA and Canada!

Those who want to study for a degree or masters in real estate will also benefit from facilities including:

  • The University’s Enterprise Campus, a new initiative to nurture entrepreneurial skills and support students who want to progress their own business ideas
  • Access to the Bloomberg Terminal, a software platform that provides real-time and historical data, market-moving news and analytics to help leading business and financial professionals make better-informed investment decisions.

Plus, 93.8% of University of Aberdeen graduates go on to further education or full-time employment within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes survey, 2019/20 leavers).

Aberdeen is based in north-west Scotland, and the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre is a popular destination for international students thanks to the supportive and multicultural atmosphere and community at the University. The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre is the first step for international students aspiring to join the University’s respected real estate degrees, providing a supportive pathway to this prestigious institution.

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers several study options for those wanting to pursue a career in real estate, including:

If you think the University of Aberdeen could be the right place for you to explore all of the exciting careers in real estate, start your journey abroad with our pathway programmes at the International Study Centre. Check out the entry requirements, the current fees, and see this important information on visas. Why study real estate anywhere else?

FAQs

Why should you choose real estate as a career?

There are many career opportunities in real estate, which offer the potential for lucrative income, job stability, versatile skill development, and a variety of career paths. This makes real estate an attractive choice for those seeking financial security and professional growth.

What does studying real estate involve?

A degree or masters in real estate typically involves studying the acquisition, valuation and disposal of land and buildings, the management and development of property, finance, law and marketing, along with specialisation in areas like commercial or residential real estate. It can be pursued at various educational levels and often requires compliance with licensing requirements for real estate agents or brokers.

What are the highest paying jobs in real estate?

Different careers in real estate offer various earning potential. The highest paying jobs in real estate include mortgage loan officers, real estate lawyers, real estate agents, and compliance specialists (according to Indeed 2023).