Real estate, in its most simple form, is really just a game of solving problems. Those who have a career in real estate work to solve the questions and problems of clients and companies every day.
Real estate can be really intimidating at first. There is a laundry list of new jargon you have to learn. While this sounds inconvenient, don’t lose interest! It doesn’t take as long as you might think and once you learn the lingo, you have one foot in the door. The next obstacle is understanding the complete view of what real estate is and all it can offer. There are so many things that real estate can mean and just as many areas of work to match.
The real estate business is all about physical property in other words, land, buildings, underground rights below the land, and air rights above the land. The main thing you need to know is if you buy and sell property or are involved with a team or company that deals with buying and selling property, you are in the real estate business.
The goal today is to make it really simple and give you an introduction to the large variety of professions you can get involved with that fall under the real estate umbrella. These are the best paying jobs in real estate investment trusts (REIT).
Real Estate Executive VP
A real estate executive vice president (EVP) provides the leadership, management, vision, and skills necessary to ensure company growth. EVPs need to have good leadership and people skills to head projects. They also need to create procedures for company growth and oversee budgets for financial strength and efficiency.
To get hired as an EVP of real estate, you need to have a Master’s Degree in Real Estate or another related field as well as a minimum of 10 years of experience.
This position is of high standing and comes with a good, stable salary, but it does have its pressures. Being in a managerial position can get stressful because of the many responsibilities that get placed on an EVP.
The standard starting salary of an EVP of real estate is between $130,000 to $150,000 annually, but this rate will vary from company to company.
Director of Real Estate and Facilities
Directors of real estate are responsible for the planning, design, and construction of new developments. Working with other industry professionals, they make sure projects are completed on time and within budget. They also manage a team of developers who handle smaller day-to-day projects.
To become a director of real estate, you need a minimum of 10 years of industry experience and at least a Bachelor’s Degree in real estate. More ambitious individuals will have a Master’s Degree in real estate.
Basic responsibilities and skills needed include project management, marketing, negotiation skills, financial analysis, and communication skills. All this combined can come with a lot of stress without great time management and organizational skills.
The average annual salary for a director of real estate is $125,000, while the top 10% annual salary is about $157,000.
Director of Acquisition
Directors of Acquisition are in charge of deciding and directing procedures like sourcing, interviewing, and hiring. Directors also manage groups of recruiters and specialists in charge of hiring processes. They must have good leadership, organizational, and speaking skills.
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s in business administration, real estate, or finance. At least five years of experience in real estate and development is needed, as well as managerial experience.
This job requires overseeing a lot of people and projects and comes with a great deal of stress and pressure. The position calls for strong-minded, determined, and decisive individuals.
Directors of Acquisition make an average salary of $133,745 annually. Wages can vary between $87,000 to over $200,000 annually.
Real Estate Portfolio Manager
Portfolio managers use financial and real estate expertise to help companies invest in properties. They look at the allocation of resources, investment risks, and ways to better portfolio performance.
A portfolio manager must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, but a Master’s is preferred. They need to be qualified in finance, business, and real estate and have 5 to 10 years of experience.
Real estate portfolio managers focus on the success of properties as investments. They must demonstrate communication, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
The average annual salary for portfolio managers is $94,152.
Real Estate Acquisition Manager
Real estate acquisition managers work with professionals to identify, evaluate, and negotiate deals for a company/client. They manage the acquisition of real estate properties. Skills in leadership, communication, negotiation, financial analysis, and marketing and sales are needed.
This position requires a Bachelor’s in business administration, real estate, or a related field. Five years of experience in the related area as an individual contributor and 1 to 3 years of supervisory experience is also needed.
Real estate acquisition managers have 40-hour workweeks, but overtime is common because of strict deadlines. It is a fast-paced job, and it can be stressful.
The average annual salary is around $85,000. The top 10% annual salary averages at $225,000.
Current companies hiring are Lumina South Acquisitions LLC and Grocapitus Investments LLC.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Analysts
REIT analysts help companies make wise property purchase and divestiture decisions to maximize ROI for investors. They conduct cost-benefit analyses to determine if changes that a company is considering makes sense from a financial perspective.
This job requires at least a Bachelor’s in finance, economics, real estate, or a related field. Big companies require a Master’s. Between 4 to 7 years of previous experience is also needed.
Being a REIT analyst comes with having expertise in finance and a thorough knowledge of market trends. It is a specialized skill so it comes with perks like a high salary. The job also has big pressures because if mistakes are made, companies can lose large amounts of money.
The national average salary for a REIT Analyst is $73,922 in the United States, but typically, a REIT analyst’s salary is over $100,000 per year.
Current companies hiring are Bank of America, Welltower, and Scotiabank.
Property Development
Property developers improve the state of a property and increase its market value. They visualize, organize, and carry out construction or renovations for commercial and private use.
A formal qualification is not required to be a property developer, but a course in real estate or property can be useful. While a degree isn’t necessary, at least three years of relevant experience in development is.
This job involves working with property owners, real estate agents, investors, insurance companies, architects, lawyers, contractors, and government officials. Property developers must be able to build good rapport with others. This means having excellent communication and people skills. They also need to be creative and innovative to be able to increase the value of properties.
Property development can be its own profession or a side project, so the salary is very dependent on the property investment. The average salary is $64,561 per year, but it ranges from $38,556 to well over $80,000.
Current companies hiring are Related Companies and Hines.
Real Estate Developer
Real estate developers scout new projects, buy land or existing property and oversee the building and management of these spaces. They are responsible for managing, financing, building, and marketing these new development projects.
In most cases, a Bachelor’s Degree in management, business or engineering is required. Additionally, over five years of experience is needed for this profession.
This job requires extensive knowledge of construction techniques, zoning laws, financing options, and a variety of legal procedures. Stresses of the job include depreciation of assets, financial losses, or legal ramifications. There are many career opportunities for real estate developers so that anyone can find their niche.
Salaries look different based on experience, geographic region, risk/reward, and other factors. The average salary is around $85,000 per year. Depending on the investment, hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars can be made.
Current companies hiring are Noble Family Enterprises, Greenberg Traurig, and Worcester Housing Authority.
Regional Real Estate Manager
Regional real estate managers are responsible for overseeing the management of properties in a specific region. They take on the role of middleman between the landlord/property owner and the tenants. This position manages multiple properties and coordinates with contractors, vendors, and other service providers.
A Bachelor’s Degree in business administration or real estate management is necessary. It is also helpful to have a four-year degree with an emphasis in business.
Regional managers have a lot of responsibilities and often deal with difficult tenants. They have to make sure that all their properties are maintained, in good condition, and profitable. Working with so many people can quickly get stressful, but many find it rewarding.
The average salary for regional real estate managers is $82,500 per year. The top 10% annual salary is $125,000.
Current companies hiring are The Travelers Companies, Inc., Amdocs, and Greystar Estate Partners LLC.
Real Estate Attorney
Real estate attorneys are responsible for the legal aspects of real estate transactions. They review and prepare legal documents, negotiate the terms and conditions of transactions, and facilitate the transfer of titles. They also offer legal advice and represent the company in purchases and sales of properties.
Both a Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor Degree are necessary for this job. Additionally, 6 to 8 years of commercial real estate experience at a law firm is required.
Real estate attorneys need to know real estate law forwards and backward. They need to be highly organized and have excellent communication skills, integrity, and diligence. This job has high stakes and comes with a lot of pressure as companies can seriously suffer from an inadequate legal team.
As with most law professions, the annual average salary for a real estate attorney is $98,016. This figure ranges from $67,000 to over $143,000 per year.
Current companies hiring real estate attorneys are Axiom Law, Publix, and Arent Fox.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The chief executive officer (CEO) is the top-ranking individual employee within an organization. They are responsible for all components and departments of a business. A CEO ensures that the organization’s leadership is aware of key external and internal factors. They are in charge of setting and executing organizational strategies, overseeing executive leadership, managing the organization’s overall budget, and setting the corporate culture.
The educational background of most CEOs contains BA or MA Degrees in business administration or a related field. They also need at least five years of previous managerial experience. Many people can have these qualifications, but only the best can cut it to become the CEO of a company.
Being the CEO of a company is very stressful because of all the responsibility placed on this position but it is very rewarding. The path to CEO is not easy, and it means you’ve risen through the ranks.
The salary of a CEO varies greatly based on the industry, location, experience, and employer.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the average income of a CEO is $179,520 per year. This figure ranges from $60,300 to well over $208,000 per year.
Current companies hiring CEOs are Korn Ferry International and Habitat for Humanity.
Real Estate Asset Management
Real estate asset managers plan and direct the purchase, sale, and development of real estate properties. They have a hands-on role in managing these properties and focus on long-term strategic financial planning. Working with a variety of different people and properties is part of the job description.
To qualify for this position, a Bachelor’s in business, real estate, or a related field is required. Additionally, at least 5 years of real estate experience is also needed.
It takes a very well-rounded comprehension of real estate to be a real estate asset manager. They have to understand property values, taxes, zoning, population growth, transportation, and traffic volume and patterns. Accounting, communication, marketing, and technology skills are also part of this job. Dealing with difficult tenants and contractors and strict deadlines can be overwhelming. It is challenging but rewarding.
The average salary is $86,500 per year, with the top 10% making over $152,000 per year.
Current companies hiring are US Real Estate Services, Inc. and Fortress Investment Group LLC.
Mortgage Managers
A mortgage manager deals with the daily operation of a mortgage provider, bank, or credit union. They source their loan products from different wholesale lenders and work across these to find the best deal for clients. They manage all aspects of the branch, overseeing the compliance, underwriting, operation, sales, and processing teams. This job entails reviewing financial statements and other documents necessary for completing loan applications, updating records, and approving loans.
Mortgage managers are required to have an Associate Degree in finance or a similar field. They also need to have 3 to 5 years of previous experience.
Mortgage managers are mediators between applicants and the financial institution they work for. In addition, they are responsible for hiring and training all branch personnel. They need to have exceptional people and communication skills to develop a relationship with clients and team members.
In The United States, mortgage managers make an average salary of $39,623 per year. This figure ranges from $27,000 to over $58,000 per year.
Current companies hiring are U.S. Bank and America’s Credit Union.
Real Estate Sales Associate
Real estate sales associates guide a buyer or seller through the tedious mundane and contractual aspects of a purchase or sale of a property. Sales associates are the frontline employees of the real estate industry. They help the buyer select and purchase a property by arranging for showings, negotiating transactions, drafting Sales Agreements and working through the transaction to closing.
Real estate sales associates must have a degree in real estate, business, finance. They would also need 1 to 3 years of previous experience.
This profession mandates skills in communication, listening, customer service, marketing and sales, and negotiation. Sales associates tend to have long work hours and often work on weekends due to many client’s schedules. They also have to work to please many different types of people on a daily basis. The job can get tiring and overwhelming at times.
The average salary of a real estate sales associate is $92,500 per year. The top 10% annual salary is $163,000 and over.
Current companies hiring are Century 21 Schmidt Real Estate, Nth Degree, and Southern Key Realty.
Real Estate Architect
The role of an architect in the real estate industry is related from start to end of any project. For sensible and smart development in the real estate sector, an architect becomes vital in shaping it. Real estate architects appeal to clients who are interested in buying fixer-upper properties or intending to flip properties. Architects are qualified to inspect and evaluate properties and can make valuable suggestions to clients’ questions and plans.
This job requires a Bachelor’s Degree in architecture, engineering, or a related field. It also mandates a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in the real estate industry.
An architect is an asset to the real estate industry. They understand both the design and development factors and can be the perfect bridge between them both. Real estate architects possess skills like knowledge of the market, quality of vision, creativity, and imagination to assist clients throughout a project.
Architects generally make around $82,320 per year. This figure ranges from $63,420 to over $106,680.
Current companies hiring real estate architects are Amazon and Johnson & Johnson.
Investor Relations Managers
Investor relations (IR) managers are responsible for communication between a company’s corporate management and its investors. They voice company results, strategies, and plans to update any developments. IR managers don’t only deal with company shareholders, but also its employees and management. Their job ensures that the information shared with people outside a company is relevant, factual, and understandable. IR managers’ main goal is to help investors make informed decisions regarding the company’s equity.
The qualifications for this job requires a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, finance, or business. Additionally, 5 to 10 years of previous experience is necessary.
Communication skills, assertiveness, and the ability to develop/maintain business relationships are essential. IR managers work with large amounts of data so they need to be proficient with the MS Office Suite. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the data and responsibility in this profession so time management and organization skills are a must.
The average IR manager salary is $142,303 per year. This figure ranges between $114,419 and $161,545 per year.
Current companies hiring IR managers are Vans, Gloo, and LivaNova.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts are responsible for analyzing past and present financial data and estimating future revenues and expenditures. They also keep track of a company’s financial plan and analyze the company’s performance with changes and market trends. They often work at banks, consulting firms, and corporations. The aim is to generate intelligent investment strategies and aid financial growth and stability.
To be a financial analyst a Bachelor’s Degree in finance or accounting is required. Entry-level positions are available, however, up to 3 years of business finance or other relevant experience may be expected.
Strategic thinking, ability to persuade, multitasking, presentation skills, time management, and organizational skills are necessary. This job comes with a lot of decision making and it can get very stressful.
The average salary for a financial analyst is $83,660 per year. This figure ranges from $63,670 to over $112,460 per year.
Current companies hiring financial analysts are Apple and Claire’s.
Real Estate Marketing Coordinator
Real estate marketing coordinators build and execute multiple marketing campaigns to help expand the company brand. They are responsible for establishing, promoting, and maintaining a company’s brand to generate business. They also review the leading status, team performance, campaign analysis, attendance, target status, and competition status.
A Bachelor’s Degree in marketing is needed to become a real estate marketing coordinator.
Additionally, at least 2 years of experience in marketing is required.
The fastest way to get information out to the public is through the internet. This job can’t be done without being technologically competent. Marketing coordinators manage website design, content, SEO development, and tracking analytics to ensure all content is up to date and relevant. They also run all Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media posts and respond to followers. Planning and organizing all team events, taking photos, and then marketing on social media are also part of the job. This job can get a bit stressful because of all the coordination and planning, but it is also quite fun.
Real estate marketing managers make an average salary of $68,225 per year. This figure ranges from $60,454 to over $77,258.
Current companies hiring are NorthMarq Capital and The Huffaker Group.
Due Diligence Analyst
Due diligence analysts are responsible for analyzing and evaluating the financial condition of potential investments. They work with a team of lawyers and other experts to make well-informed investment decisions. These analysts review loan applications, prepare reports containing analyses of risk factors, calculate financial data, and coordinate with many departments.
A Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting or another related field is required. Additionally, at least 1 year of previous experience is also expected to get this position.
Due diligence analysts cover a lot of areas so they need a lot of different skills to do their jobs well. They need technical, communication, research, and analytical skills with lots of industry knowledge. Working long hours and heading multiple projects at the same time can take a toll if not managed properly.
The average annual income of due diligence analysts is $70,500. The top 10% salary is over $163,000 per year.
Current companies hiring are Ascendant, City National Bank, UBS.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) Manager
REIT managers enhance property values, maintain properties, and pursue good acquisitions. They also aim to reduce investor risk by practicing good diversification. This is done by purchasing properties in different areas, of different price categories, or land use categories.
To become a REIT manager a Bachelor’s Degree in finance or business is required. At least 5 years of previous experience is also expected.
REIT managers have a lot of responsibilities. They need to have exceptional leadership, coordination, and communication skills. Additionally, a knowledge of finance and market trends is needed. As with any managerial position, this job can be stressful.
The average annual pay for a REIT manager in the United States is $84,650.
Current companies hiring are Hanger Inc., Crown Castle USA, and BNY Mellon.
Real Estate Project Manager
Real estate project managers oversee the development of real estate projects from start to finish. They manage construction crews and other contractors working on site. The managers make sure that all necessary permits are obtained, and all deadlines are met. They are also in charge of financing, approving, and designing the infrastructure of projects.
This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in real estate, construction management, or a related field. Additionally, between 3 to 5 years of previous experience is necessary.
Successful individuals have communication, organization, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Project managers typically work on one project at a time. They often coordinate with architects, engineers, and construction managers. Collaboration with other professionals can be fun but stressful at times.
The average salary of real estate project managers is $85,000 per year. The top 10% annual salary is over $173,000.
Current companies hiring project managers are Ascensus, UCHealth, and Turner and Townsend.
Real Estate Title Examiner
Real estate title examiners determine legal barriers against property sales. They keep records and report their findings to legal firms, realtors, or insurance companies. Title examiners deal with legal paperwork and financial records. Most of their work is done through extensive research and collaboration with others.
This job requires a completed college-level or paralegal coursework in property law or its equivalent. In addition, at least 2 years of solid experience in performing abstracting and title searches is expected.
Title examiners search through documents, maps, and records of sales. They do this by collaborating with realtors, banks, or the offices of surveyors and government agencies. It is crucial to make sure that a property is not in foreclosure and that there are no restrictions on its use or disputes about its borders. All of these things require some knowledge of the law as well as excellent communication and organizational skills.
Real estate title examiners make an average of $56,700 per year. This figure ranges from $30,000 to over $81,000 per year.
Current companies hiring title examiners are First American Financial and Gill International.
Real estate broker
Real estate brokers are responsible for property management and marketing. They work with clients to buy, sell, and properties. Brokers are an intermediary between buyers and sellers during negotiations over property prices and settlement details. They need to evaluate clients’ desires and economic capabilities. This is to give appropriate suggestions and provide useful information about legal guidelines, rates, specifications, and property availability.
The completion of a real estate training program or college courses in real estate is required for this job. Real estate brokers also need 1 to 3 years of previous real estate sales agent experience and a state license to be hired.
Real estate brokers need to have exceptional interpersonal skills as they work with new clients all the time. They also need strong negotiation and selling skills. Brokers often have to deal with more than one property at a time. This calls for organization and time management skills. While having to work weekends at times, this job can be fun and interesting due to the many people you interact with.
Real Estate Brokers make an average salary of $80,250 per year. This figure ranges from $56,000 to over $114,000 per year.
Current companies hiring real estate brokers are Transworld Commercial Real Estate, Vacasa, and Worldwide Commercial.
Corporate Controller
Corporate controllers manage all accounting and financial functions in a company. They oversee financial policies, financial risk assessments, and prepare annual budgets and forecasts. Corporate controllers ensure that all relevant parties follow the established procedures and policies. Most of their work has to do with finance and budgeting and often collaborate with accountants.
At least a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting business administration, or finance is required. A Master’s Degree is expected for most positions. Between 5 to 7 years of finance and accounting experience is needed to be eligible for hire.
Corporate controllers must show excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. Additionally, they need to have superb organizational and time management abilities. They typically work a standard 40-hour week and often operate in a team environment.
Corporate controllers’ average salary is $125,000 per year. The top 10% annual income is $220,000 and more.
Current companies hiring corporate controllers are Lambda and Dynata.
Real Estate Acquisition Analyst
Acquisition analysts in real estate focus on the procurement or merger of a company or companies. Responsibilities include vetting opportunities for land and properties to purchase. This includes finding sellers and administering the due diligence process. Acquisition analysts research market data, trends, and comparable transactions. They also put in place corporate policies, write reports and cash-flow models, and provide accounting support.
A word of warning, this field is very competitive. Requirements state that a Bachelor’s in finance, economics, business administration, or real estate is enough. While this may be the case, because of the competition, a more advanced degree could help a lot. 1 to 5 years of experience in real estate, construction, finance, brokerage, development, or investment-related business is also required.
Acquisitions analysts need to show excellent research skills, business knowledge, and valuation strategies. They need strong communication and organizational skills as they often work in a team environment. This is a highly competitive field so employees can feel the stress of the pressures placed on them.
Acquisition analysts make an average salary of $66,957 per year. This figure ranges from $47,000 to over $93,000 per year.
Current companies hiring are TIAA, Northland Investment Corporation, Wells Fargo.
The Bottom Line
Jobs in a real estate offer a great deal of job security. People and companies will always purchase properties. No one can manage all the different things that larger teams of people in a real estate deal with every day. Dealing with property owners, contractors, developers, finances, legal issues, government officials, and much more shows that people will always need real estate professionals.
Working in real estate gives you great opportunities to meet and work with many interesting and intelligent people from all walks of life. There are so many different areas of real estate that anyone can find a niche they’re passionate about. The necessary qualifications are completely achievable, you get to make good money, and above all else, you help people every day.
