8 Real Estate Side Hustles That Can Earn You Six Figures

At a Glance

• • Real estate side hustles don’t always require huge capital – Many entry points like wholesaling, real estate photography, or managing Airbnb for others need little to no upfront investment, making them accessible to beginners.
• • Multiple pathways to six figures exist – From flipping houses and mobile homes to short-term rentals and office subleasing, there’s a wide range of opportunities some active, some more passive that can scale into a six-figure business.
• • The right hustle depends on your skills and resources – If you’re creative, start with photography or staging. If you like negotiations, try wholesaling. If you’re hands-on, go for flipping. Aligning your strengths with the right side hustle increases your success rate.

When most people think of real estate, they imagine wealthy investors buying skyscrapers or flipping million-dollar mansions. But the truth is, real estate offers plenty of side hustles that everyday people can start without a fortune in the bank. Many of these side gigs can grow into six-figure businesses, providing both extra income and long-term wealth.

In this article, we’ll explore eight real estate side hustles you can start today, even if you’re new to the industry.

1. Real Estate Photography: Capture Homes, Capture Profits

Photos sell properties, and real estate agents know it. That’s why many are willing to pay hundreds of dollars per shoot for professional-quality images. If you have a good camera and some editing skills, this can become a lucrative side business.

To stand out, consider offering drone photography for aerial views and virtual staging services that digitally furnish empty rooms. Both add-ons can significantly increase your earnings per project.

2. Flipping Houses: The Classic Real Estate Hustle

House flipping has been glamorized on TV for a reason it can be incredibly profitable. The process is straightforward:

• • Buy a distressed property.
  • Renovate it to modern standards.
  • Resell at a higher price.

While the potential rewards are big, house flipping is labor-intensive and requires careful management of contractors, permits, and renovations. However, if you enjoy hands-on projects and have an eye for design, this hustle could easily scale into a full-time business.

3. Flipping Mobile Homes: Affordable Entry Point

If flipping traditional houses feels out of reach, consider starting with mobile homes. They are far less expensive to purchase and renovate, making them ideal for beginners.

In many cases, investors have doubled their money simply by buying a run-down mobile home, fixing it up, and reselling it. Adding land to the deal can increase the resale value even more.

4. Flipping Land Parcels: Paperwork Over Power Tools

Not every flip requires swinging a hammer. Land flipping involves buying vacant land at a steep discount and reselling it at market value. Owners who inherit land or face financial pressure are often willing to sell for pennies on the dollar.

This side hustle requires strong marketing skills often through direct mail campaigns and good research on zoning laws. The work is mostly administrative, but the profits can be substantial.

(article continues below)

Real estate investments? Awesome.

Being a landlord? Less fun.

Learn how to earn 15%+ on passive real estate investments in our free video course.

5. Wholesaling Real Estate: Sell the Contract, Not the House

Wholesaling is one of the lowest-risk entry points into real estate. Instead of buying properties, you find undervalued deals and put them under contract. Then, you sell that contract to another investor for a fee.

The keys to success are:

• • Building relationships with motivated sellers. 
  • Growing a network of cash buyers.

You don’t need financing or renovation skills, just hustle and negotiation.

6. Owning Short-Term Rentals: Turn Homes Into Hotels

Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have changed the rental market forever. Owning a short-term rental in a high-demand area can generate far more income than a traditional long-term lease.

An added perk? You can use the property yourself during off-seasons. Many investors combine personal enjoyment with profit, turning their vacation spots into income-producing assets.

7. Managing Short-Term Rentals for Others

Not everyone wants to deal with the day-to-day tasks of running an Airbnb. That’s where you come in. By offering short-term rental management services, you can earn higher fees than traditional property managers.

From guest communication and check-ins to cleaning schedules, the work can be streamlined with automation tools. And unlike owning a rental, you don’t need to invest in property, just your time and management skills.

8. Subleasing Flexible Office Spaces

With remote work on the rise, flexible office space is in demand. This side hustle involves leasing a large commercial office and subdividing it into smaller units for entrepreneurs, startups, or freelancers.

The math works in your favor: rent a large space at a wholesale price, then charge premium rates for smaller offices. Once filled, it requires little ongoing maintenance and delivers strong recurring income.

Want to compare investment property loans?

What do lenders charge for a rental property mortgage? What credit scores and down payments do they require?

How about fix-and-flip loans?

We compare the best purchase-rehab lenders and long-term landlord loans on LTV, interest rates, closing costs, income requirements and more.

Final Thoughts

The world of real estate is far bigger than buying and selling homes. From photography to land flipping, Airbnb hosting to office subleasing, there are countless ways to get started without quitting your day job.

The best part? Each of these side hustles has the potential to grow into a six-figure business if you stick with it, learn the skills, and reinvest your profits.

As the saying goes, “The riches are in the niches.” Pick one that excites you, and start building your real estate side hustle today.

Sources

https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/flipping.asp

https://www.mobilehomeuniversity.com/

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/category/land-investing

https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/what-is-wholesaling-real-estate

https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

https://www.vrbo.com/host

https://www.wework.com/ideas

https://www.zillow.com/research/