Women in Real Estate: The Future is Female

To establish a solid real estate business, a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential—that means recognizing the integral role that women play in the industry. While women have been part of the real estate industry for years, firms now see how their distinct skill sets, outlook, and life experiences provide valuable insights into the industry.

Women in real estate today

2021 was a rising year for women in real estate, from brokers to homeowners. Today, over 65% of active realtors are female, the majority of whom live in the United States. 2021 data also shows that outside of pursuing real estate careers, 20% of women are also homeowners. That said, while women currently dominate the real estate market, they only make up 36.7% of the commercial real estate workforce. This number has not changed in the past fifteen years, which shows that it’s a potential area for women to leave a mark on.

And while women in real estate face various challenges, they continue to pave the way for their careers in the industry. According to Crew Network’s 15-year benchmark study on Gender and Diversity in Commercial Real Estate, 2020 showed a 5.4% increase in young, female professional respondents who expressed a desire to participate in the real estate sector. This report also highlights that more women are looking to pursue C-suite and leadership positions, which underscores an overall positive response and calls for more open doors for women to thrive in the industry.

To be honest, I didn’t know anything about real estate or renting houses when I first joined Imagine Homes Management. Since my previous background was in retail, joining the company was something completely different and outside of my comfort zone. But I was ready for the change.

— Allison Aamot, Director of Leasing

The future is female

Constantly evolving and always prepared to go the extra mile, more women are seeking opportunities and professional growth in real estate. This isn’t surprising. As an industry sector, it’s an excellent source of income, while also offering challenging roles and consistent innovation. We’ve collated some of the top reasons women choose to work in real estate:

It provides flexibility

Flexible working hours are generally more available in this industry than in other sectors. This is considered a big win, particularly for working mothers. With the help of technology, viewing appointments can often be scheduled outside of conventional office hours. This allows women who juggle personal and family-centered aspects of their life a chance to play an essential part in the success of the real estate business.

It’s an accessible career

Unlike other professions, working in the real estate industry won’t require you to get prior experience or multiple diplomas. While acquiring a pre-licensing exam and a real estate brokerage internship are general factors for success, you can continuously pursue a career in the field.

For Rajané Brown, being new in real estate unfolded excitement and new opportunities. As an artist and performer, she discovered new possibilities in her career transition:

Since graduating college in 2017, I’ve been able to make a living doing theater. I was always interested in working in real estate on the side, but just never had the time to pursue it. After the pandemic hit, I thought that [while the theaters are closed], I now had time to get into the industry. Finally getting a foot in the door with real estate was a bit of a happy accident, but it did lead me to discover Imagine Homes on Indeed for the position I’m in now.

— Rajané Brown, Director of Resident Services in Minneapolis

It builds your network

Do you like working with people? Are you good at building relationships? The real estate industry is a social job—forging connections is essential when closing a deal. A typical day can include meeting with clients, sharing contact details, and following up on calls. Everyone you meet is a potential client, which is why it’s important that you’re comfortable engaging with others. If you’re willing to drum up business with social contacts and establish professional relationships while earning income, real estate is probably the place for you.

I love helping people find the home of their dreams. There are many aspects of my job that I thoroughly enjoy, and one of them is the virtual Welcome Home Orientation. There are prospective residents who are not sure about what they want, so we try to figure out together what works for them and their families.

— Victoria “Vita” Podolsky, Director of Resident Services in Cincinnati

It allows you to help people

Sometimes, it’s just all about getting to help people with the most life-changing decision they’ll ever make. At Imagine Homes, working in real estate is more than “just selling”. It means assisting people who just want to have a good home experience.

While selling properties and going through multiple listings can be stressful, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping people find their dream home.

It’s a great feeling when an applicant finally gets paired with a home that’s going to work well for them. It’s a great feeling—calling them and letting them know that they’ve been approved, that the house is theirs, and they’re ready to move forward with making their moving plans.

— Stephanie White, Senior Manager of Resident Services in Cleveland

It’s a challenging and fulfilling job

The housing market is strong. Unlike some businesses that ebb and flow with time, real estate as an industry won’t ever run out of demand. So long as there are people in the market for a home, people will continue to need a real estate agent to help them get one. This is a great opportunity for women who enjoy work that keeps them on their toes.

As of this moment, I work in most of the markets we’re in across the US, and I help to ensure that each transaction runs smoothly and that our paperwork is in order. I do help in other areas of the company, but my main focus is in acquisitions. I really enjoy it so far.

— Lindsey Witek, Senior Acquisitions Coordinator in Cleveland

It offers comprehensive professional growth

Contrary to popular belief, real estate is more than selling properties and handling keys. If you’re not into sales-talking and doing admin work, you can still thrive in the industry by pursuing other roles. Today, the sector allows everyone to explore different departments according to their expertise, whether in sales, construction, or human resources.

Building towards a diverse and equitable world

At Imagine Homes Management, creating opportunities for people from all walks of life is our way of recognizing and supporting diversity and representation. We’re about taking action in the best way we know how.

Operating in different cities across the Midwest, our goal is to provide best-in-class experiences in the single-family rentals sector. And as our company expands, we’re out to find the best people who feel passionate about helping us contribute to our communities.

Working towards a more diverse and equitable world takes work. So we’re out to connect with people who actively participate, are enthusiastic about sharing their skills, and who seek to succeed in their endeavors.

If you’re someone who shares our vision, culture, and are interested in helping people find the homes of their dreams, we’d love to get to know you.

Interested in working with us? Let’s talk.

We’re looking for passionate individuals to join our team and help us deliver best-in-class service, homes, and overall experience in 2022. If you think you fit the bill, let us know! We’d love to have you on board.

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