Real Estate
Northeast Florida is one of the country’s hottest real estate markets, so the region is constantly on the lookout for people who are looking to build a exciting career in real estate.
Jacksonville is the fourth largest market in the state of Florida with approximately 1.5 million residents. It’s one of the fastest growing areas of the United States, ranking #2 in 2021 Migration Population Growth according to LinkedIn. Northeast Florida is also the hottest area for commercial growth according to JLL. All these trends point to a serious need talented professionals.
Some of the key jobs in Jacksonville are Agent, Capital Markets and Fundraising Associate, Sales Office Manager, New Home Sales Associate, Luxury Specialist, Development Manager, Apartment Leasing Consultant, New Home Consultant and Online Sales Specialist.
Most jobs in the real estate field require a high school diploma or equivalent. Others require some certifications or licensure. For example, to become a real estate agent in Florida, you must meet several requirements to qualify for associate, broker, or instructor depending on your career path. To become a broker, individuals must complete 24 months as an active sales associate for the past five years before applying for a brokerage license. Understanding the process for each level of the real estate industry, as well as the necessary time and instruction requirements, is essential to achieving a fulfilling career in real estate.
Earn Up is here to help. You can review the Career Pathway on real estate so you can figure out where you are and where you need to go to have a fulfilling job in Jacksonville’s red hot industry.
Real Estate Companies in the Region
A positive outlook, enthusiastic energy and a willingness to embrace change has inspired Margaret Ceaser’s successful career pathway. A proud military spouse, Ceaser relocated to Jacksonville during her husband’s career with the U.S. Navy.
Since 2001, Ceaser has worked for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty, a dynamic and respected real estate company with more than 500 real estate professionals in Northeast Florida. Ceaser joined the company in 2001 as a human resources and accounting administrator and was promoted in 2021 to Human Resources Manager. In 2024, Ceaser transitioned into a new role in Accounting after Human Resources relocated to the firm’s parent company.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I believe you should never give up,” Ceaser said. “A new avenue could lead to a dream job that you hadn’t anticipated.”
Ceaser is involved with processing escrow binders, initiating and confirming wire activity and managing employee expense reports. A self-described multi-tasker, she is organized, enjoys following policies and procedures, and has strong communications skills. Ceaser is eager to assist with any project and not afraid to take on any task. She is a natural motivator.
“The best part of my job is the positive environment, working with a great team, learning new systems and adapting to change,” Ceaser said. “Change equals growth.”
Her interest in Human Resources emerged while attending college. Ceaser initially thought about pursuing a career as a social worker. A mentor encouraged her to consider human resources, recognizing the impact and benefit her passion and skills would have on a company.
“It’s our unique skills that set us apart – our passion, empathy and being a go-getter,” Ceaser said.
Ceaser earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University.
At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty, her workdays revolve around a “work family that I love,” supporting the company’s Realtors and clients, and her dedication to complete every task efficiently and successfully. Ceaser always begins her workday by inspiring high morale with her colleagues.
“I believe in keeping it positive and encouraging everyone to have a great day,” Ceaser said.
Technology is driving today’s real estate industry. Ceaser believes it has contributed to positive changes including the ability to conduct business remotely, increased marketing on social media channels and enhanced customer service.
Ceaser also leads the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council. She earned a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida. She is a 2024 Jacksonville magazine People With Heart recipient.
“I’m motivated by our company’s great leadership team and I’ve grown so much working for strong leaders in our company,” Ceaser said. “It’s important to align with a company whose mission, vision and culture resonates with you.”
Ceaser also credits her husband, Thomas, and her strong faith for providing tremendous support in her career pathway journey.
For those exploring careers, Ceaser recommends doing industry research, networking with mentors, gaining experience through a degree or certification program and joining local industry organizations. Ceaser is a member of the Society of Human Resources of Jacksonville (SHRM Jacksonville) and the Florida Diversity Council (Jacksonville Chapter).
“Most importantly, never give up,” Ceaser said. “Always do your best.”
Linda Lindenmoyer is the Broker/Vice President of Relocation Services at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. Lindenmoyer also serves as chair of JAXUSA Partnership's business development committee.
An industry leader with more than 20 years of experience, Lindenmoyer supports corporations in successfully managing their relocation programs. Prior to her role in corporate relocation, Lindenmoyer worked in both residential and commercial real estate.
"There are abundant opportunities in both residential and commercial real estate," said Lindenmoyer. "The career pathway you choose is a personal choice based on what you find most interesting."
Despite the pandemic, Northeast Florida's real estate industry is thriving. The Jacksonville region's job growth in 2020 and the corporate relocation momentum are keeping both residential and commercial real estate brokers busy.
Selling residential real estate requires a passion for people as agents facilitate the home buying process between sellers and buyers. Commercial agents are similar to residential agents, but they sell or lease properties to businesses. Since they work with data like gross rent multipliers, capitalization rates and internal rates of return, commercial agents need to have an analytical understanding of business and finance.
Residential Realtors are independent contractors and have the advantage of determining how much and when they work. However, they often work evenings and weekends to meet customer needs.
"Realtors have to be flexible and willing to adjust as the market demands," Lindenmoyer said.
In Florida, working in real estate requires a Florida real estate license. The Real Estate Sales Associate license, issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, is the same for those who want to work in residential real estate or commercial real estate.
To obtain a license, individuals must complete the state-approved sales associate pre-license course and pass the course exam. The course focuses on real estate laws, principles and practice, and real estate math. The 63-hour course is offered online, in a classroom at a real estate school or at Florida Realtor associations.
After passing the course exam, the next step is to take the Florida licensing exam. This test has two sections covering both state and national requirements. Those who pass earn their license and begin working once they affiliate with a licensed brokerage.
"Additional training is very important when an individual begins working with a licensed real estate company, " said Lindenmoyer. "Licensees should align with a company that offers a formal training program designed to give new agents the support they need to succeed."
Those interested in pursuing a real estate career should take into consideration there are fees for taking the class exam and license. Since agents work on commission, meaning they make a percentage of the sales price of real estate property in the transaction, Lindenmoyer recommends new Realtors be prepared to go about six months without making any income. However, there aren't any time limits to how much money top producing agents can make.
"The top successful Realtors don't look at their customers as a transaction," said Lindenmoyer. "They recognize that they are a trusted resource for their customer."
Initially, Riley Day, a graduate of Keiser University's Business Administration degree program, planned a move to Jacksonville, Florida from Texas to pursue his education. After relocating and investigating various training options, he determined that a degree from Keiser University was a solid long-term plan.
While in college, Riley tended bar until hours were reduced due to COVID. At that time, he began exploring a career pathway in real estate, as his girlfriend had achieved much success since 2017. Initially, Riley was unsure about pivoting into real estate, despite the overwhelmingly strong market in Northeast Florida, low interest rates spurring buyer demand, and jobs that hold during a pandemic. However, his mind was changed after seeing the earning potential in both selling and investing in real estate. He said, "I worried about the future and retirement until learning about the investing side."
Riley achieved his real estate license in January 2020. Initially, it was overwhelming on where and how to begin. He was drawn to Momentum Realty, which became a brokerage, in 2020 due to the structure and mentoring provided. Quarterly master classes on topics such as winning multiple offers and providing quality customer service through genuine, organic relationships provided great insight.
During the pandemic, he and a partner began isolating a strategy to build a team, The Allied Group, at Momentum. Riley credits his business degree with helping him strategically approach this career transition, saying, "Real Estate is 100 percent a business. To be profitable, you must track numbers to avoid surprises."
For those considering a real estate career, Riley recommends diving into the industry full time to commit to learning the industry and establishing a solid reputation. He indicates that having income to sustain oneself for six months to one year is preferable, as agents work on commission. Someone entering the industry needs time to build clients, close deals, and become profitable. Joining a team and finding a good mentor are primary ways to successfully break into the industry.
With a hot real estate market and low inventory, it's critical to have a competitive edge. Riley stresses that the agent must be the "leveling force" when negotiating deals on what is likely his client's most significant investment. He also encourages individuals to read several books to establish a mindset that is critical to success in the industry:
Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Wealth Can't Wait by David Osborn
Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
Tribe of Millionaires by Mike McCarthy and Pat Hiban
If you enjoy providing fantastic customer service, a career in Northeast Florida real estate is a viable option. Riley reiterates that multiple touch points with customers are critical. "Customer service and responsiveness is important. There have been multiple situations where other sellers cancelled their agreements with other agents so they could list with us," he said.
Ultimately, Riley Day's real estate career pathway with The Allied Group at Momentum is offering noteworthy opportunities right here in Northeast Florida.
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