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Ward: Considering a career in Arizona real estate

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Are you preparing for your future career or seeking to re-career? Have you ever thought of working in real estate? If you haven’t, you may want to think again!

Did you know that the real estate industry is expected to grow between 10% and 28% in the next 10 years?

This “bright outlook” means that the Phoenix-metropolitan area continues to be a hotbed of activity in the real estate market. And there are several paths you can take within the field depending on your professional goals; take a look at the top careers with bright outlooks (data according to O*Net and the Bureau of Labor Statistics):

  • Real Estate Agents: Agents help their clients buy, sell or rent property; they must work for a licensed broker. [Median salary in AZ: $48,930; 11% growth]
  • Real Estate Brokers: Brokers help their clients buy, sell or rent property. Additionally, brokers are licensed to operate their own business; real estate agents must work for a broker. Some brokers manage properties for their clients for additional fees. [Median salary in AZ: $59,720; 10% growth]
  • Appraisers: In this role, professionals use data from comparable properties, depreciation values, condition of a property, market trends and more to determine the value of a property for sale, purchase, mortgage, investment or other purpose. [Median salary in AZ: $42,820; 21% growth]
  • Property/Community Association Managers: This type of manager oversees many aspects of a property, whether it’s a commercial, industrial or residential property. Responsibilities include ensuring the property is maintained so it retains its resale value, scheduling and following up on repairs or remodel projects, handling lease/rental agreements and payments, and serving as the liaison between tenants and owners of a property. [Median salary in AZ: $52,520; 19% growth]
  • Assessors: Assessors evaluate and determine the value of a property for tax purposes. Often valuations will be made on entire neighborhoods or blocks of properties using mass appraisal techniques and software programs. Assessors must be familiar with tax regulations and be able to address property tax appeals by property owners. [Median salary in AZ: $42,820; 21% growth]
  • Loan Officers: Loan officers evaluate, authorize or recommend approval of loans for personal or business properties. Responsibilities often include serving as a liaison between the borrower (person or business trying to get a property loan) and the lender (bank or other financial institution). There are several different types of loan officers: commercial, consumer, mortgage, loan collection and loan underwriters. [Median salary in AZ: $52,660; 28% growth]

This fall, Scottsdale Community College will continue to offer its real estate pre-licensure program that emphasizes license laws, real and personal property, financing, purchasing, selling, renting, legal descriptions, rights and interests in property, ownership, contracts, real estate terminology and economics, investing in real estate, foreclosure, land use, and evaluation.

This 6.5-credit program can be completed in a short period of time through a flexible schedule that includes 8-, 12- or 16-week delivery options. And compared to other real estate prep programs in the area, SCC’s affordable option allows individuals to gain the necessary expertise to successfully complete the Arizona Salesperson State Exam.

So what are you waiting for? Check out Scottsdale Community College’s Real Estate prep program and start your future today.

Editor’s Note: Dan Ward is a real estate professional for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties in Scottsdale.