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What are the Available Careers in Real Estate When You’re a Military Spouse?

By Karin S. Conradson
Full-Time Faculty, Real Estate Studies at American Public University

When you are the spouse of active military member, the spouse of a retired military member working a government contract, or the spouse of an employee who is transferred from state to state for a position, it is not always easy to find that new job or to transfer with your current job.  Real estate is a career than can take you around the world.

When you are married to the military your spouse’s job can mean constantly moving from state to state, base to base, and country to country. Most military accompanied deployments (family deployments) transfer every two to four years, which makes it difficult for that spouse to build a career. Having to find employment can be very difficult due to the fact employers know that military spouses will be moving within two to four years and sometimes sooner.

Real estate is a career that can move with deployments and still allow the spouse to succeed in finding and building a career. Most military personnel are offered housing when they deploy, however, with the VA loan program many military purchase homes to keep as rental properties or will sell the home to have equity to put into another home at a new base. Having an understanding of how to purchase and sell real estate is a benefit for the deployed family.

Real estate is a profession that can travel with you from state to state and country to country.  Real estate is a position that is needed in every city, state, and country.  Real Estate, whether private, public, residential, or commercial, will always have a need for experienced professionals.

Real estate positions are wide ranging. Here are just a few roles:

  • Listing and selling residential and commercial property
  • Managing property
  • Appraising property
  • Working for a real estate attorney, consultant, loan officer, paralegal, leasing agent, or project manager
  • Working for franchises in locating property
  • Serving as a contract agent, receptionist
  • Working in a government real estate position

Once a person has taken the real estate tests in one state and obtained a license, it can be easy to transfer that license to another state and, sometimes, country. Most states and countries will accept the license from your home state as long as it is active and if you complete a state course and state test. Some states will also request continuing education courses to activate your license. Always check with the state Real Estate Commission to find out licensing requirements.

Listed below are two of the many sites that list real estate positions and salaries. Salaries can range from the $20,000 and upward to the six digit category.

To research some position opportunities:

Through the MYCAA program, military spouses can access educational benefits that can be applied towards education in real estate and other programs. MyCAA offers eligible military spouses up to $4,000 to pursue education, training, licenses, certificates, and degrees. This is one of a few avenues you can pursue in regards to starting your education in the field.

 

About the Author:

Karin Conradson has worked for many years in the field of Real Estate. She has developed both residential and commercial Real Estate in her career prior to entering Academics. Karin holds a Real Estate Broker License in the State of Arkansas. She has completed 250 hours of Real Estate Coursework and 20 hours of Real Estate Appraisal Coursework.

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