5 careers that start with real estate

Whether you’re a natural problem-solver with a knack for numbers or you’re after the thrill of connecting buyers to sellers, the world of real estate just might be for you.

What’s the key to unlocking an exciting new job in this booming industry?

The right education, like the one-year Professional Real Estate program at BCIT’s School of Business + Media, is a good place to start.

It’s a full-time, advanced diploma, so you do need to have some post-secondary credits or work experience under your belt before you apply.  It’s perfect for anyone curious about embarking on a new career path — and acquiring practical skills to give you an edge.

And as BC’s real estate hit record highs in September, your skills will be in high demand.

Here are five of the many unique jobs you could pursue when you study Real Estate at the BCIT School of Business + Media, including a few you might not even know existed.

Land Development Manager

Where others see an empty lot, you see potential.

With an average income of about $92,000 yearly, a Land Development Manager appeals to job-seekers who want the satisfaction of seeing things come together from the ground up.

They manage the day-to-day of land development projects — big or small — from overseeing engineering and field operations, to managing budgets and ensuring safety regulations are followed.

Mortgage Broker

Fixed or variable? Pre-approval? Equity?

Mortgage Brokers do everything from decoding jargon and acting as a key go-between for the bank and buyers, to comparing the best rates offered by banks and lenders. Basically, it’s a job where you’re working to find solutions and peace of mind for customers — not a bad day’s work.

You can make a huge impact on the lives of hopeful real estate shoppers faced with decoding the ins and outs of financing. Whether you’re interested in commercial real estate or residential, this job involves a great deal of interpersonal skills and numbers know-how.

BCIT

Property Value Appraiser

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? One person’s pink stucco palace is another person’s décor disaster.

As a Property Value Appraiser, you get to step in and help provide unbiased and objective property valuations based on quantitative things like research, data, and analysis.

It’s a job that requires you to look at the big picture, whether you’re appraising the value of an urban skyscraper or a country cottage.

Real Estate Agent

There’s a reason so many hit reality shows focus on hunting down the perfect place for a client because every day offers up a new challenge.

You might be most suited to the high stakes of selling commercial real estate or drawn to residential listings and connecting people to their perfect starter home.

Whatever type of property you sell as a Real Estate Agent, you need creativity, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. You’ll stand out from the crowd if you’re an expert at market research, savvy, and have great people skills.

Or as Modern Family’s Phil Dunphy famously put it, “Every realtor is just a ninja in a blazer.”

Real Estate Property Financial Analyst

Is the market going up or down? Should you buy or sell? What’s next?

While nothing is certain, a Real Estate Financial Analyst uses market trends and statistics to get a sense of what’s actually happening in the industry.

If you have a background in accounting or business or an aptitude for working with numbers, this could be an interesting area to consider.

One thing is for certain: when the market moves down or up — like September’s boom –people will want insights.

Curious about this career path?

The BCIT Professional Real Estate program begins in January 2021 and is still accepting applications. You can learn more about this full-time, one-year advanced diploma by attending the upcoming online information session, November 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.