9 Reasons Real Estate Is a Perfect Post-Retirement Career

Retirement doesn't mean you have to give up working completely.

There are still plenty of options to consider if you want a job that helps you earn extra income while also allowing you to set your own hours or work the days you want to work.

Check out some of these reasons why a job as a real estate agent could be a great second act if you want to make money during retirement.

Real estate agents make a median annual salary of $52,030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But real estate agents also make a commission off the sale of a property when they represent the seller or a buyer. The harder you work in this field, the more likely you are to boost your bank account.

One of the best things about being a real estate agent is the flexibility to set your own schedule.

You can choose where and when to take clients out or when to host open houses for them.

Being a real estate agent isn't a 9-to-5 job, which can be ideal if you don't mind working some nights and weekends. Not having a set schedule every day lets you have daytime hours to yourself for doctor appointments, shopping, or trips to the gym.

Many people move to a new home during retirement. These folks might appreciate working with a real estate agent closer to their own age who shares some of their life experiences.

As an older real estate agent, you can put retirees at ease as you help them find the perfect home for their golden years.

It can become easy to feel disconnected from your community when you retire and aren't going to an office every day.

However, a job in real estate can help you stay connected as you regularly interact with those around you. It helps you stay plugged into your neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Build your second act as a real estate agent upon the skills you developed during the decades you worked in your career.

For example, those who previously worked in marketing can use their skills to help sell homes. If you were a project manager, put your organizational skills to work as part of the buying and selling process.

One thing you might not have enjoyed when you worked somewhere else is having a boss telling you what to do.

But as a real estate agent, you will have more autonomy. You can decide if you want to work in commercial real estate or with those trying to find homes. You can also pick and choose your clients or set your own hours.

You may be surprised by how much you enjoy being your own boss.

Interacting with others in your job as a real estate agent can help keep you physically and mentally fit.

Working with clients helps keep your mind going, and you can get a little physical exercise when you walk properties.

Not having a college education can be a barrier that keeps you out of some jobs. But you usually only need a high school diploma to become a real estate agent.

Be aware that you will have to take some courses to learn about the real estate profession, and every state requires real estate agents to have a license. However, a college degree is not a prerequisite for becoming a real estate agent.

Networking is an important skill in any profession. If you have good contacts from the years you worked in your professional career, they might help you get started in your new career.

For example, use your connections to try to find people in the community who need help looking for a new home.

Working as a real estate agent can be a great option if you want to continue to build wealth after you retire.

Before jumping into this job, think about how much time you want to spend on other activities during retirement, such as travel and volunteering in your community.

If working as a real estate agent still sounds like a good fit, seize the opportunity to pursue this second act during retirement.