Licensed real estate agent under a broker

Home sellers and buyers, usually paid as a commission at closing, split between you and your brokerage.

A percentage commission on each closed sale. Income is lumpy: nothing until a deal closes, then a larger payment. Your brokerage takes a share or charges fees.

• Talking to people and building trust
• Following up consistently
• Negotiating
• Organizing paperwork and deadlines

• Licensing rules, education hours and fees differ by state, so check with your state's real estate commission
• Agents are usually independent contractors, so check how taxes, health insurance and self-employment tax work for you
• Check what insurance your brokerage provides, such as errors and omissions cover, and what you must pay for yourself
• Check for MLS and local association dues, which are often required to list homes
• Income can take months to start and varies a lot, so keep savings to cover slow periods

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your state's licensing and education, plus dues and brokerage fees. These are estimates. Check requirements with your state's real estate commission.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many sales you close. These are estimates. Income can take months to start and varies a lot, so keep savings for slow periods.

Licensing rules, education hours and fees differ by state, so check with your state's real estate commission. Also check how taxes and self-employment tax work as an independent contractor, and which insurance your brokerage provides.