Can You Be a Part-Time Real Estate Agent? Everything You Need to Know

All 50 states allow real estate agents to work part time, but the role still requires full licensing and strong availability in order to work for you and your clients. This article walks through what part-time real estate requires, how to get started, and what to expect in terms of workload and income.

Is being a part-time real estate agent worth it?

Yes, but not for everyone. Part-time real estate appeals to agents looking for flexibility or a gradual entry into the business. This model can work, but outcomes vary depending on how time, availability, and client load are managed. 

Limited availability is the biggest downside

Availability is the issue agents mention most often when discussing part-time work. Showings, inspections, appraisals, and negotiations usually happen during business hours when an agent may be working another job.

Part-time agents who manage to successfully grow their business often set clear expectations with their clients about their availability and limit the number of active clients they take on. 

Many agents see part-time as a short-term bridge, not a long-term plan

Part-time real estate works best as a transition phase rather than a permanent model. It can be useful for learning the business, building confidence, and closing early deals. Over time, most agents find that meaningful income growth requires closer to full-time commitment.

Income level depends on hours worked

A survey of Colibri Real Estate alumni found that agents working fewer than 20 hours per week often earned under $25,000 annually, though about one in eight reported incomes as high as $149,000 despite their limited hours.

Agents working 20 to 39 hours per week earned around $25,000 to $50,000, though more than one-third made six-figure incomes, including some above $200,000.

Steps for becoming a part-time real estate agent

Getting started as a part-time real estate agent is less about doing everything at once and more about focusing on the right foundations early. Let’s cover the core steps that matter most when you are building the role around limited time and competing commitments.

Confirm your time and budget

Start by being honest about how many hours per week you can consistently commit to. Being an agent includes time-intensive work such as client follow-ups, showings, and contract negotiation.

You should also plan for common real estate agent costs such as licensing courses, exam and application fees, MLS access, brokerage fees, and marketing spend.

Check your state’s licensing requirements

Look up your state’s licensing requirements, organizing them into a simple checklist to follow step by step. This typically includes required education hours, the licensing exam, background checks, and fingerprinting.

Complete classes on a flexible schedule

Finding an online, self-paced real estate class in your state is the most practical option. This allows you to study consistently around work and personal commitments instead of relying on fixed, in-person class times that are easy to miss.

Schedule and take the licensing exam quickly

Once you complete the required coursework, you should schedule your licensing exam as quickly as possible while your knowledge of the material is sharpest. Some schools charge a fee to retake the test, so ideally you want to pass the exam on your first attempt. 

Choose a brokerage that supports part-time agents

When reaching out to brokerages, ask directly whether part-time agents are permitted. Clarify whether there are any production, availability, or time-commitment requirements.

Complete your state’s continuing education requirements

Most states require real estate agents and brokers to complete a set number of approved continuing education (CE) hours to keep their license active. This includes part-time agents. These requirements typically follow a renewal cycle ranging from one to four years and include a mix of elective courses and mandatory topics such as ethics, fair housing, agency relationships, and legal updates. Completing CE on time is essential for staying compliant with state regulations and maintaining the ability to legally practice real estate.

More learning resources for part-time agents

Education matters more for part-time agents because they will likely get less hands-on experience than full-time agents. The goal is to stay sharp and confident without overloading your schedule.

Podcasts

Podcasts are one of the easiest ways for part-time real estate agents to continue learning without adding more time to their schedule. 

The Luxury Presence Podcast
Presented by the Luxury Presence team and often hosted by CEO Malte Kramer, this podcast features conversations with high-performing agents, brokers, and industry leaders. Episodes focus on modern marketing, brand building, client experience, and long-term business growth.

The Tom Ferry Podcast Experience
Hosted by Tom Ferry, this podcast covers mindset, sales strategy, lead generation, and more. It blends short tactical episodes with longer interviews and coaching insights that help agents improve consistency and performance at any stage of their career.

Real Estate Rockstars
Hosted by Aaron Amuchastegui, Real Estate Rockstars centers on real-world strategies from agents who are actively producing. Topics include prospecting, marketing, negotiation, and scaling a real estate business, with an emphasis on actionable takeaways rather than theory.

Books

Here are a few book recommendations for upskilling as a part-time real estate agent:

• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
  This practical guide to real-world negotiation tactics by Chris Voss is useful for handling objections, pricing discussions, and high-stakes client conversations.
• Break Through the Noise: The Nine Rules to Capture Global Attention
  Tim Staples shows you how to create standout video content and build visibility in crowded digital channels.
• Mindset, Model, and Marketing!
  A real estate marketing framework by Tom Ferry that connects mindset, systems, and marketing to consistent lead generation.
• YouTube Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Following and Making Money as a Video Influencer
  Sean Cannell and Benji Travis cover how to use YouTube as a search-driven platform to build authority and trust with buyers and sellers.
• The Language of Trust: Selling Ideas in a World of Skeptics
  Michael Maslansky explains how to communicate clearly and credibly with skeptical audiences to influence decision-making.
• Marketing 5.0: Technology for Humanity
  Philip Kotler explores modern marketing strategies that use technology and data while maintaining a human-centered approach.

What commission structure can a part-time agent expect?

Part-time real estate agents are typically paid using the same commission-split model as full-time agents, where each closing is divided between the agent and the brokerage based on an agreed percentage. Working part time does not change how commissions are paid, but it often results in fewer transactions and therefore lower total income.

New or lower-production agents, which often includes part-time agents, commonly start with less favorable splits, while higher-producing agents may earn improved terms over time. Support, incentives, and included services vary by brokerage and are not determined solely by part-time versus full-time status.

Post-NAR settlement buyer-side compensation

Following the National Association of REALTORS® settlement and 2024 MLS rule changes, buyer-broker compensation is now negotiated more transparently and documented through written buyer agreements rather than MLS-posted offers.

Buyer’s agents must clearly outline their fees and who pays them, with buyers often negotiating compensation directly and covering it through seller concessions, closing funds, or, in some cases, loan-eligible costs. 

In response, some agents and brokerages are also testing alternatives like flat fees, hourly pricing, or limited-service models alongside traditional percentage-based commissions.

Part-time real estate agents and Luxury Presence

Your time is limited, especially when real estate is not your only job. Luxury Presence supports part-time agents by handling website, marketing, SEO, and content execution behind the scenes so you can stay focused on clients and deals. If you want to see how this support can help you operate more efficiently, schedule a demo by clicking the button below.