Side Hustles for Real Estate Students: From Dog Grooming to Staging Assistant

Hook: Turn gig earnings into a real estate career — even while you study

Struggling to find flexible, relevant work that actually boosts your resume? As a real estate student you need side hustles that pay the bills and build industry credibility. In 2026, housing trends — from pet-focused developments to short-term rentals and virtual staging — create practical, high-impact side jobs you can do between classes. This guide lists doable gigs like dog grooming, staging assistant, and property photography, shows exactly how to start, and explains how to turn each job into career leads and paid internships.

Why these side hustles matter in 2026

Real estate has shifted since 2020. By late 2025 and into 2026 we saw three persistent industry forces that make these side jobs especially valuable:

• Pet-first developments: New condo and multifamily projects increasingly advertise pet amenities—indoor dog parks, grooming salons, pet concierge services—creating demand for pet-focused services.
• Experience-led listings: Sellers and agents invest more in staging, professional photos, and immersive virtual tours to stand out in competitive and price-sensitive markets.
• Short-term rental growth and decentralized work: More homeowners list turnkey units for remote workers, increasing demand for cleaning, photography, and property management help.

That combination means your side hustle can be more than income — it can be a pipeline to clients, agents, and full-time roles.

Top flexible, resume-building side hustles for real estate students

Below are seven high-impact gigs, each with a 2026 lens: why the job matters now, how to start, quick pricing cues, tools and certifications to aim for, sample resume bullets, and a concrete path to convert the gig into a career lead.

1. Dog grooming & pet services (mobile or salon)

Why now: Pet-friendly buildings and amenity-rich developments boosted by pet ownership trends make on-site grooming and pet care services desirable. Developers and property managers often partner with local groomers for resident benefits.

• How to start: Offer mobile grooming or partner with a pet-salon in your neighborhood for weekend shifts. Use platforms like Rover, Wag, or local Facebook groups to get first clients.
• Certs & compliance: Basic pet-first aid, grooming certification from a community college or online provider, and liability insurance (professional grooming insurance).
• Tools: Clippers, portable grooming table, non-slip mats, quality shampoos, booking app (Square or Booksy).
• Pricing (2026 ballpark): Mobile bath & brush $40–$90 depending on size and region; full grooming $60–$150.
• Resume bullet example: "Provided mobile grooming services to 120+ clients; maintained 4.9-star average rating; increased recurring bookings by 35% through targeted social ads and in-building flyers."
• Turn it into a lead: Pitch property managers and condo boards for a resident discount program. Offer a free demo day at the building lobby to meet residents and agents. Exchange client lists (with permission) for referrals to local real estate professionals.

2. Staging assistant & home stylist

Why now: Staged homes continue to command faster sales and better offers in many markets. In 2026 agents balance physical staging with virtual presentations; assistants who can move furniture, style rooms, or coordinate rentals are in demand.

• How to start: Reach out to local stagers, interior designers, and top-selling agents offering weekend help. Volunteer at open houses to build contacts and photos for your portfolio.
• Skills & micro-certificates: Basic color theory, space planning, heavy-lifting safety, and staging workshops from professional organizations (look for local real estate association micro-courses).
• Tools: Toolkit (measuring tape, moving straps), palette samples, fabric swatches, a camera for quick before/after shots.
• Pricing: Assistants often earn $20–$40/hr; project-based staging help can be $150–$500 per room depending on complexity and market.
• Resume bullet example: "Assisted staging for 30+ listings across 3 zip codes; contributed to average 15% faster time-on-market for staged properties through targeted styling and vendor coordination."
• Turn it into a lead: Ask agents for testimonials and referral cards, then offer a discounted staging trial for their next listing in exchange for a LinkedIn recommendation and a co-branded Instagram post.

3. Property photography & videography (including drone)

Why now: In 2026, listings compete on visual content: high-quality photos, twilight shots, drone views, and short social videos drive clicks and leads. Agents without in-house photographers hire freelancers.

• How to start: Learn basic real estate photo composition and editing (Lightroom), shoot 5–10 homes for free or discounted rates to build a portfolio, then list services on Thumbtack, Upwork, and agent groups.
• Compliance: For aerial shots, obtain FAA Part 107 certification (U.S.) and maintain insurance. Know local drone no-fly zones and privacy laws.
• Equipment: A full-frame or APS-C camera — consider buying a refurbished body to lower costs (refurbished cameras), wide-angle lens, tripod, external flash, gimbal for walk-through video, and a reliable drone (subject to regs).
• Pricing: Basic packages $150–$300; premium packages (drone + twilight + video) $350–$900+ depending on market.
• Resume bullet example: "Delivered 200+ listing photo and video packages, increasing listing views by up to 3x; reduced time-to-sell for clients through professional multimedia and virtual tour integration."
• Turn it into a lead: Offer a free exterior twilight shot for an agent's current listing; present a one-page case study showing metrics (listing views, click-through rate). Provide agents with optimized images and social-ready clips they can use immediately.

4. Virtual staging, 3D tours & property content editing

Why now: With more buyers viewing homes online first, virtual staging and 3D tours are cost-effective ways to show potential. AI-powered virtual staging tools matured in 2024–2025 and are now standard in many markets.

• How to start: Learn 3D tour platforms (Matterport or affordable alternatives), and virtual staging tools (AI-assisted image editors). Offer bundles with photography or produce virtual staging mockups for cold outreach.
• Tools: Matterport-compatible cameras (or smartphone 3D capture), virtual staging software subscriptions, and a strong Wi‑Fi connection for uploads.
• Pricing: Virtual staging per room $30–$150 depending on realism and turnaround; 3D tour packages $100–400+.
• Resume bullet example: "Created 3D tours and virtual staging for 40 listings; increased online engagement and led to 2x more in-person showings per listing when compared to standard photo-only listings."
• Turn it into a lead: Pitch agents a split-test: live listing with and without virtual staging to demonstrate engagement lift; ask for an introduction to sellers if the test performs well.

5. Short-term rental cleaner & co‑host

Why now: The short-term rental market stabilized and professionalized by 2025: hosts increasingly hire reliable cleaners and co-hosts who manage check-ins, maintenance, and guest messaging.

• How to start: List cleaning and co-host services on Airbnb’s co-host marketplace, TaskRabbit, and local property management groups. Offer a trial clean with a checklist and photos.
• Skills: Turnover checklists, linen management, rapid problem-solving, and basic hospitality etiquette.
• Pricing: Turnover cleans $35–$150 per turnover; co-hosting is often 10–30% of booking revenue depending on services offered.
• Resume bullet example: "Managed turnovers for 12+ short-term rental listings, maintaining 5-star reviews and reducing complaint incidents by 60% through standardized checklists and vendor coordination."
• Turn it into a lead: Collect host testimonials and ask for referrals to investor clients or property managers. Use performance KPIs (review scores, occupancy rate improvements) to pitch your services to small landlords.

6. Open house & showing assistant

Why now: Agents are stretched thin. Reliable showing assistants who can host open houses, qualify visitors, and create follow-up systems are invaluable.

• How to start: Offer to assist agents during peak showing times. Bring a lead capture sheet and a follow-up email template to demonstrate professionalism.
• Skills: Client qualification, CRM basics (e.g., follow-up sequences in HubSpot or the agent’s MLS CRM), and privacy etiquette.
• Pricing: Hourly $15–$35 for assistants; per-event flat rates $50–$200.
• Resume bullet example: "Assisted 25 open houses; captured and qualified 450+ leads and improved agent follow-up response rates by 40% with standardized email templates."
• Turn it into a lead: Use every showing to collect agent contacts and ask for job referrals. Offer a short training workshop for other students or agents on lead capture best practices.

7. Landscaping, curb appeal & smart home setup

Why now: First impressions drive buyer interest. Quick landscaping updates, staging outdoor spaces, and installing simple smart devices for showings are low-cost, high-impact services.

• How to start: Advertise seasonal packages: front-yard refreshes, mailbox staging, or smart lock/thermostat setup for showings. Partner with local nurseries for supplies.
• Tools: Basic gardening kit, pressure washer access, and smart home knowledge (Nest, Ring, August). Consider smart-device integration best practices for showings (smart accents & integration).
• Pricing: Small curb appeal updates $75–$400; smart device setup $50–$150 per unit.
• Resume bullet example: "Delivered curb appeal packages for 20 listings resulting in 18% higher first-week interest; installed and configured smart locks for streamlined self-showings."
• Turn it into a lead: Offer a pilot package to a busy agent; document before/after metrics and request testimonials and referrals to investor clients who need repeated service.

From gig to job: A practical 90‑day plan

Pick one side hustle and follow this focused plan to create a pipeline of career leads:

1. Week 1: Build a one-page portfolio (three before/after photos or sample clips), a 30-second elevator pitch, and a basic pricing sheet. Create profiles on two gig platforms and LinkedIn.
2. Week 2–3: Offer 2–3 discounted or free trials to local agents, property managers, or co-op boards in exchange for testimonials and referrals.
3. Week 4–6: Collect metrics (views, bookings, reviews), make a one-page case study, and send a targeted pitch to 10 agents or property owners with the case study attached.
4. Week 7–12: Convert 1–3 trial clients into paid monthly or project partnerships. Ask for introductions to other agents, and request LinkedIn recommendations and referral cards.

Portfolio, resume and ATS tips for real estate students

Don’t just list the job — show measurable impact and use ATS‑friendly language. Recruiters and agents search for keywords; include them in context.

• Use industry keywords: staging assistant, property photography, short-term rental management, tenant communications, CRM, Matterport, Part 107 (if drone).
• Quantify impact: "Reduced time-on-market by 15%" or "Increased listing clicks by 2.5x" — even modest percentages help.
• Resume format: Short summary (one sentence), 4–6 bullets per role, each bullet starting with an action verb and including metrics where possible.
• Portfolio: Host on a simple site or PDF; include before/after images, a one-line description, tools used, and results (views, bookings, revenue). Consider adding social short-form samples — micro-documentaries style clips perform well.
• LinkedIn: Post quick video snippets and before/after carousels; tag local agents and use market hashtags (#RealEstatePhotography #Staging #ShortTermRentals).

How to pitch agents and property owners — template snippets

Use short, value-first messages. Here are two templates you can adapt:

Pitch A: Staging Assistant to agent

Hi [Agent Name], I’m a real estate student and staging assistant. I helped stage 6 listings last quarter leading to a 10–20% faster sale. I’m offering a complimentary staging consult for one upcoming listing — no strings attached. Can I schedule 30 minutes next week?

Pitch B: Photographer to listing agent

Hi [Agent Name], I shoot quick photo + drone packages for listings. I can deliver twilight exterior shots that lift open‑house traffic. I’ll provide one complimentary exterior twilight shot for your next listing — send me the address and I’ll handle the rest.

Legal, insurance, and compliance checklist

• Insurance: General liability for staging, grooming, and photography. Short-term rental co-hosts should consider additional coverage for accidental damage liabilities.
• Licenses: Pet-related services may require local licensing or certification in some states; drone pilots need FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification (U.S.).
• Contracts: Use simple written agreements: scope, turnaround, payment terms, and a cancellation policy.
• Data privacy: For guest and client info collect it securely and avoid sharing without consent. Consider privacy-first local tooling to manage requests (privacy-first request desks).

Advanced strategies for turning side hustles into career pathways

When your side hustle gains traction, level up strategically:

• Create a micro-agency: Hire another student or freelancer to scale services — one handles photography, another staging, another client relations.
• Partner with development teams: Offer pilot programs for new pet-friendly or amenity-rich properties — developers often allocate marketing budgets for resident perks.
• Use data to sell higher-value services: Track listing views, inquiry rates, and booking conversions to demonstrate ROI. Agents respond to numbers more than promises.
• Leverage internships: Convert service relationships into internships by proposing to manage marketing assets, listings, or tenant communications for a fixed term.
• Teach or workshop: Run a workshop at your campus or local real estate meetup on staging basics or mobile pet services to position yourself as a local subject-matter resource.

Case study (student success story)

Emma, a junior studying real estate finance in 2025, began offering virtual staging and basic property photography on weekends. She invested $800 in a camera and a Matterport-compatible scanner, volunteered three staging projects for friends, and compiled a 6-item portfolio. After sending a targeted pitch to five local agents, two agents hired her for paid gigs within six weeks. By month three she was offered a paid summer internship at a boutique brokerage to manage listing content — a role that led to a part-time paid assistant position during her senior year.

Quick checklist: Start this week

• Choose one side hustle from this list.
• Build a one-page portfolio and social profile.
• Offer 2 free/discounted trials to agents or managers.
• Collect metrics and one testimonial.
• Make a 90-day plan to convert trials into recurring gigs or an internship.

Final notes — what hiring managers are looking for in 2026

Hiring managers and brokers in 2026 prize candidates who can demonstrate cross-functional value: tech-savviness (3D tours, social video), reliable client service, and measurable results. Your side hustle can be the evidence they want. Focus on building a small set of case studies and a reputation for dependable delivery.

"Experience beats credentials when paired with measurable results. Show what you moved — a room, a review rating, a listing click rate — and hiring follows." — Trusted career advisor

Call to action

Ready to turn your side gig into a real estate career? Pick one hustle from this guide and take the first step today: create your one-page portfolio, schedule two free trials, and send three targeted pitches to agents. For tailored resume bullet templates, portfolio examples, and a 90-day conversion checklist, visit usajob.site/student-resources and download the free Real Estate Side-Hustle Starter Pack.

Related Reading

• Start a pet-care side hustle in London (lessons & local tips)
• Converting a Van for Dogs: insulation, flooring & ventilation
• Review: Refurbished Cameras for Hobby Photographers
• Training Puppies with Microlearning: short sessions, big gains
• Smart Accent Lamps & integration strategies for showings
• Edge Qubits? Simulating Quantum Workflows on Low-Cost Hardware for Field Tests
• Dry January, Year-Round: 8 Alcohol-Free Breakfast Pairings to Elevate Your Cereal Morning
• Dog-Ready Road Trips: Routes, Rental Cars and Overnight Stays Across the UK
• Comfort Cooking for Anxious Nights: Mitski‑Mood Recipes to Soothe and Focus
• Prune Your Clinic’s Tech Stack: A Checklist for Small Health Providers