How much do real estate agents make? We surveyed agents across the country and found a lot of the time, the answer to that question depends on what niche they’re in. According to our nationwide survey, there can be as much as a $35,000 difference in average earnings depending on what real estate agents specialize in.
How much do real estate agents make?
Here are the most profitable real estate specialties according to a recent survey.
5. Commercial properties
Becoming an expert in commercial real estate could take more training — but it shows that more training pays off.
4. Green or eco-friendly properties
Agents who specialize in eco-friendly buildings work in the fifth most profitable niche in real estate. What’s an eco-friendly building? Think LEED-certified. LEED is a global standard for energy-efficient buildings. To be LEED-certified, a building must attain a certain amount of LEED credits through a rigorous process. Real estate agents who are educated in this process, as well as other methods of being eco-friendly, have an advantage over others.
3. Short sales/foreclosures
A steady flow of listings allows agents who specialize in short sales to have one of the higher annual incomes.
2. Foreign investment
Real estate agents who pay attention to foreign markets and can leverage their dollars to invest in timely properties overseas earn a similar amount, though slightly more, than agents who find success investing domestically.
1. Luxury real estate
High-end real estate is booming all across the country. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, the number of home sales in the U.S. priced above $1 million surged 244.4% year over year in May 2021. With higher-priced homes comes higher commissions. So, it’s no wonder that those who specialize in luxury real estate make an average of $90,015 per year.
If you really want to maximize your income, those who earn the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS)™ designation by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing earn an average of $291,461 per year.
Learn how to make more in real estate
Asking, “how much do real estate agents make?” is one thing, but asking “how can I make more?” is another question altogether. Making more might mean changing niches, finding a new broker or continuing your education. Whatever it is, choose the one task you can start today that can help you earn more in the following year.
