Beyond Commissions: How Realtors Can Build Multiple Streams of Income

Let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind for a while.

If you’re a real estate agent, your income is probably entirely dependent on commissions. And if you’re anything like I was in the beginning, that means every month starts at zero. No matter how good you were last month, if you’re not closing deals this month, you’re not making money.

That’s exhausting. And honestly? It’s risky.

I used to think the only way to make more money in real estate was to sell more houses. Work harder. Hustle longer. I told myself that’s just how it was. But at some point, I had to ask—what happens when I want to slow down? What happens if the market shifts? What happens if I just don’t feel like working 24/7 anymore?

I realized I wasn’t actually building wealth—I was just working for the next check. And that’s when everything changed.

So, if you’re in this business for the long haul (and not just trying to survive commission-to-commission), let’s talk about how you can start creating real financial stability—without having to work more hours or close more deals.

1. Stop Giving Away Your Knowledge for Free

We don’t even realize we do this.

Every day, we’re giving advice—whether it’s to clients, new agents, or even friends who DM us asking about the market. But here’s the thing: people pay for that kind of knowledge.

If you’ve been in real estate for a while, you’ve figured things out. Maybe you’re great at lead gen, or negotiation, or social media. Maybe you’ve built a referral-based business that keeps your pipeline full without spending a dime on ads. Whatever it is—you could be monetizing that knowledge.

That might look like:

? Coaching newer agents who need guidance

? Creating an online course to teach what you know

? Hosting group mentorship sessions

The bottom line? You already have valuable knowledge. You might as well get paid for it, right??

2. Invest in Real Estate (Yes, for Yourself!)

I know, I know. This sounds obvious. But real talk—how many agents out there are helping clients buy homes but aren’t investing in real estate themselves?

For the longest time, I was so busy selling houses that I wasn’t even thinking about buying them. But if we’re telling our clients that real estate is the best investment, shouldn’t we be doing the same?

You don’t have to go all-in with a big investment property right away. Start small.

? Buy a duplex and rent out one side.

? Find an investor who needs an agent and offer to partner.

? Look at short-term rentals or Airbnb properties.

Real estate should be making you money—even when you’re not selling it.

3. Get Paid for Referrals & Partnerships

You know how many times I’ve sent clients to lenders, stagers, inspectors, or even moving companies? A lot.

And for years, I never made a dime from it.

But here’s the thing—referral partnerships exist for a reason. You’re already connecting people with the services they need. Why not set up a referral agreement and actually make money from it?

? Get paid when you send clients to a stager, plumber, or electrician.

? Set up an out-of-state agent referral network (so when your clients move, you still make money).

? Partner with brands that align with your business.

You don’t need to do more work to create another income stream. You just need to be intentional with the work you’re already doing.

4. Sell Digital Products & Passive Income Streams

I used to think passive income wasn’t really possible. Like, how do you just make money without actively working for it?

Turns out, it’s actually pretty simple.

If you’ve built up any kind of knowledge, systems, or expertise, you can turn that into something people will pay for. Things like:

? Buyer or seller guides

? Social media templates for agents

? Lead gen scripts or checklists

? Home staging or marketing PDFs

The best part? You create them once, and they keep selling over and over again.

Something is in the Works…

I know what it feels like to rely on commissions alone. The pressure. The uncertainty. The constant hustle. And I also know what it feels like to finally break out of that cycle—to create income that isn’t tied to how many hours you work.

That’s why I’ve been working on something behind the scenes. Something designed to help real estate professionals stop relying solely on commissions and start building businesses that are sustainable, scalable, and set up for long-term wealth.

Because here’s the truth: Success in real estate isn’t about selling more homes. It’s about building a business that works for you—not the other way around.

Stay tuned.