Whether you’re a full-time parent, a tech professional, or simply someone testing the waters before diving in, Florida offers real possibilities for launching a real estate career on your terms.
You can become a part-time real estate agent in Florida, but success depends less on the law and more on your flexibility, your time management, and the brokerage you choose to hang your license with. In this guide, we’ll break down what part-time real estate really looks like, how much you can expect to make, and how a brokerage like Realty Hub gives you the freedom to build a business that fits your life.
Is It Possible to Be a Part-Time Real Estate Agent in Florida?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible. Florida law places no minimum hour requirement on real estate agents. Once you’ve earned your license, you operate as an independent contractor. That means you set your own hours, manage your own clients, and run your real estate business as you see fit.
While the law doesn’t force a full-time schedule, your clients might. Showings, inspections, closings, and contracts don’t wait for your lunch break. And brokerages? Some of them still operate like it’s 1995, expecting agents to attend office meetings, pay desk fees, and hit quotas regardless of your availability.
That’s where the right brokerage makes all the difference.
Yes, you can work part-time as a real estate agent in Florida. There’s no legal requirement to be full-time, but the success of your part-time venture depends heavily on your availability, support systems, and the brokerage you choose.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Go Part-Time in Real Estate?
For the right person, it can be a smart, flexible way to enter the industry without sacrificing financial security or lifestyle balance.
We’ve seen plenty of agents succeed part-time, especially those who start with a clear goal and realistic expectations.
- Many are real estate investors who want direct access to the MLS and commission savings on their own deals.
- Others are working professionals, consultants, teachers, healthcare workers, who are curious about the industry and want to test-drive a second career before committing full-time.
- Then there are the “lifestyle agents”, those who close a handful of deals per year for friends and family while earning meaningful income on the side.
That said, part-time isn’t for everyone.
If your full-time job is rigid, no room for midday phone calls or last-minute client meetings, you’re going to struggle. Real estate clients don’t care if you’re juggling another job. They care if you answer when they call, show up to inspections, and help them close on time.
The same goes for parents without reliable childcare, or anyone trying to “dabble” in real estate without a plan.
We’ve heard from professionals, especially in tech or engineering, who assumed their remote setup would make real estate easy to slot in. But they quickly realized that availability is everything.
A client’s dream home can hit the market at 10 AM and be under contract by lunch. If you’re tied up in a Zoom meeting or can’t step away, you miss that opportunity, and your client may move on to an agent who’s ready.
The key here isn’t job title, it’s control over your time.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself First
Before you pursue real estate part-time in Florida, be brutally honest about the following:
- Can your current job allow for mid-day calls and meetings? Clients, inspectors, lenders, and title companies typically work 9–5. Can you carve out time during that window?
- Are you willing to work weekends and evenings? Most buyers want to tour homes after work or on weekends. You’ll need to be available when they are, not when it’s convenient for you.
- Can you deliver fast client responses during the day? Real estate runs on urgency. Delays in responding to offers or requests can cost your clients big time.
- Do you have child care or a backup agent? Life happens, but in this industry, missed appointments can damage your reputation. A support system is essential.
If you can answer “yes” to most of these, part-time real estate may be a perfect fit, and Realty Hub can help you make it happen without the pressure, splits, or franchise baggage. If not, you may want to consider starting as a referral-only agent or building a long-term transition plan before jumping in
Part-Time Real Estate Income in Florida: What Can You Actually Make?
Let’s talk numbers, because while real estate offers flexibility, it’s your income that ultimately makes it sustainable. As a part-time real estate agent in Florida, your income potential hinges on two main things:
- How many deals you close.
- What your brokerage takes from each one.
Most part-time agents close between one and five deals per year, depending on their network, schedule, and hustle. If you’re only handling transactions for friends, family, or investment properties, even one deal can be profitable.
But the range varies widely, some agents treat this like a true side hustle, others make it a launchpad to go full-time.
Why Florida Has an Edge
Florida’s real estate market is a major advantage. With median home prices well above the national average, agents here can earn more per transaction than in many other states.
Let’s break down a realistic example:
- $400,000 average sale price
- 2.5% buyer’s agent commission = $10,000 gross
- With a traditional brokerage (70/30 split), you keep $7,000
- After fees, E&O, and taxes, that may drop to ~$5,500–$6,000
Now, let’s say you close three deals a year, a modest goal for a part-timer. That’s roughly $18,000/year before taxes.
Don’t forget to factor in cost
- Florida real estate license course & exam: ~$400–$600
- Fingerprints & application: ~$90
- E&O Insurance ~ $400 to $1,200 per year
- Local Board Dues: $150–$300/year
- Florida REALTORS® State Dues: ~$130/year
- NAR (National Association of REALTORS®): ~$150/year
- MLS Access: $300–$600/year depending on your region
👉 $1,620 – $3,070
With the right setup, one or two closings can cover your costs and put you in profit territory for the year. And if you’re working with investor deals or higher-value homes, the upside increases exponentially.
What Florida Brokerages Will Work With Part-Time Agents?
Many traditional brokerages simply don’t want part-time agents.
The old-school model thrives on volume, not flexibility. These brokerages often have franchise quotas, mandatory office meetings, and rigid commission splits that favor agents doing dozens of transactions a year. If you’re not a full-time producer, you might find yourself ignored, or worse, pressured to “step up” or step out.
Part-time agents are sometimes labeled as “high maintenance, low return” by brokers chasing team metrics. We’ve heard from countless agents who were told they wouldn’t get access to leads, support, or even mentorship unless they committed to full-time production. That’s not just discouraging, it’s short-sighted.
Can You Just Do Referrals in Florida as a Licensed Agent?
Absolutely. You don’t have to show homes, negotiate contracts, or attend closings to make money as a licensed agent in Florida. You can build an entire side business around real estate referrals, and many agents do.
Wwhen someone you know wants to buy or sell a home, you refer them to an active agent in your network. That agent handles the transaction from start to finish. Once the deal closes, you collect a referral fee, typically 20–35% of the commission.
It’s a powerful way to stay involved in real estate without the daily grind of client management. And in Florida’s high-volume market, even a handful of referrals per year can generate thousands in passive income.
The “Referral Only” Myth (and What It Really Means)
One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that there’s such a thing as a “Referral Only” license. There isn’t. That term was created by REALTOR® associations, not the state of Florida.
Legally, if you hold an active real estate license, you can buy, sell, lease, and refer. Your license doesn’t restrict you. But many associations try to push agents into referral-only roles if they’re not paying MLS dues or attending meetings.
At Realty Hub, we believe that’s nonsense.
We don’t believe in unnecessary labels or limitations. If you want to work as a referral-only agent, we support that fully, and we’ve built the infrastructure to make it easy.
Why the Realty Hub Referral Track Works
- Keep your license active with minimal cost
- No MLS or REALTOR® dues required
- Flat $100 per referral, that’s it
- You keep the rest of your negotiated referral fee
- Send referrals anywhere in the U.S., to any licensed agent
Some of our agents refer one or two deals a year. Others build entire networks and collect consistent referral income without ever showing a property.
If you want to keep your license working for you, but you’re not ready to work with buyers and sellers directly, this path can be the perfect solution.
How to Get Started as a Part-Time Agent in Florida
If you’re thinking about stepping into real estate part-time, Florida makes it accessible, and flexible. The process to get licensed isn’t overly complicated, but success hinges on choosing the right setup and setting smart expectations from day one. Here’s how to do it right.
Step 1 – Get Licensed
To legally sell real estate in Florida (even part-time or as a referral agent), you’ll need an active license. Here’s what that process looks like:
- Complete the 63-hour pre-license course. You can take this online or in person. Many part-time hopefuls choose online options to work around their current schedule.
- Pass the Florida real estate exam. The state exam isn’t hard if you study, but don’t underestimate it, preparation matters.
- Get fingerprinted and pass a background check. Florida requires a background screening to ensure you meet character standards.
- Choose a sponsoring brokerage. This is where many part-timers stumble. Your broker must “hold” your license and oversee your transactions. But not all brokerages support part-time agents, so choose wisely.
💡 Tip: At Realty Hub, we accept part-time, full-time, and referral-only agents across Florida. There are no quotas, office requirements, or hidden fees, and your license remains active whether you close one deal or twenty.
Step 2 – Choose the Right Brokerage
This decision will impact how much you keep, how you operate, and how easy it is to stay compliant. Ask these key questions before signing on:
- Does the brokerage allow part-time or referral-only agents? If the answer is no, keep looking.
- Do they charge a split or a flat fee? Traditional brokerages may take 20–40% of your commission. At Realty Hub, you pay just $100/year + $100/closing and keep 100% of your commission.
- What about Errors & Omissions insurance? Many firms require you to pay this separately. Realty Hub includes E&O with your membership.
- Do I have to join the MLS or REALTOR® association? Some brokers require it, others don’t. Realty Hub lets you decide, saving you hundreds annually if you opt out.
Step 3 – Set Realistic Goals
This is where many agents get tripped up. They expect part-time to mean “casual”, but in real estate, your business reflects the effort you put in.
Start by aiming to:
- Close 1–3 deals in your first year: That might sound small, but those commissions can cover your licensing costs and earn you thousands in profit.
- Build a small CRM of friends, family, and investor contacts: Most agents’ early deals come from their existing network. Start there.
- Block nights and weekends for client work: Your 9–5 might be spoken for, but showings, open houses, and calls often happen after hours. Plan ahead.
Whether your goal is a few closings a year, personal investment deals, or building a referral income stream, real estate can absolutely work part-time. The key is treating it like a real business, even if you’re only running it a few hours a week.
Is Being a Part-Time Agent in Florida Worth It?
Let’s not sugarcoat it, part-time real estate is not a shortcut to easy money. It’s flexible, yes. But it’s also demanding, unpredictable, and full of learning curves, especially in the first 6–12 months.
The Upside
If your schedule is flexible and you approach this as a business, not a hobby, real estate can absolutely pay off:
- You get full control over your schedule. You decide when to show homes, take on clients, or pause activity.
- You can generate meaningful side income. Even 1–2 transactions per year can put thousands in your pocket, especially with Florida’s high home values and Realty Hub’s flat fee model.
- You maintain an active license for personal investing or referrals. Want to flip homes or refer friends and earn 25% of the commission? Your license opens that door.
Most part-time agents don’t fail because of licensing or knowledge. They struggle because:
- Time pressure is real. It’s not enough to be “interested” in real estate. You have to be available, and that means weekends, evenings, and sometimes lunch breaks.
- Clients may doubt your commitment. If they find out you’re part-time, they may question your reliability. That means you’ll have to outperform expectations to earn trust.
- Income is inconsistent. You could go months without a closing. That’s why we always tell new agents: don’t rely on real estate income until you’ve built momentum.
Should You Go Part-Time in Florida Real Estate?
Yes, if you’re strategic about it.
Being a part-time agent in Florida is not only legal, it’s entirely doable with the right setup. But you need three things:
- A brokerage that works with you, not against you. Look for flat-fee brokerages like Realty Hub that don’t penalize you for closing fewer deals.
- A clear plan and realistic goals. One deal a quarter? Referrals only? Helping friends and family? Define your focus.
- A schedule that actually supports your clients. Real estate is reactive. If you can’t respond to offers or show homes quickly, consider building a partnership or referral model instead.
✅ If you’re ready to keep 100% of your commission and work on your own terms, check out how Realty Hub supports part-time agents in Florida.
No quotas. No office hours. Just tools, support, and flexibility, your business, your way.