A real estate career can include travel, from property visits and conferences to time away on vacation. The practical challenge is keeping your clients and transactions covered while you are away.
Yes, you can travel as a real estate agent. Arrange coverage for showings, deadlines and urgent client needs with your broker before leaving. Traveling to another state or country is different from being authorized to practice real estate there.
There are instances, however, where agents may find themselves moving between cities, in an attempt to best serve their clients. Or to help a fellow agent who threw them a referral.
Here is how local travel, vacations and international work fit into an agent’s career, plus the licensing and expense rules you should check before a trip.
Local Mobility for Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents often work within the confines of their own country, focusing their efforts on local markets. They serve as navigators, guiding clients through buying or selling properties within a specific region. This localized focus doesn’t mean they are completely stationary, though.
Local agents may find themselves traversing city streets to show properties, heading across town for meetings with clients or other industry professionals. Agents may also make trips to attend training sessions and seminars that keep them updated on market trends and regulatory changes.
You may serve clients in more than one city, attend industry events or take a vacation while another properly authorized licensee covers in-person work. Agree on availability, handoffs and compensation with your broker, and tell clients how they can reach the person covering for you.
Before showing or negotiating property across state lines, check the destination state’s rules. A license in your home state does not automatically authorize work elsewhere.
Some states offer reciprocal licensing or allow limited cooperation between brokers. These are different routes with specific conditions, not a nationwide permission to practice.
For example, Alabama’s co-brokerage rule addresses an out-of-state broker working under a written agreement with an Alabama qualifying broker. The rule requires local supervision of showings and negotiations. It is not blanket authorization for every out-of-state salesperson.
Becoming an International Real Estate Agent
International real estate work may involve helping overseas buyers purchase property in your licensed market or working with professionals abroad. Serving an international client does not necessarily require you to travel.
Most international real estate agents support property sales within their country for non-residents. Think of a buyer from Europe or Africa interested in property in the U.S. An international agent would help them find property within the country and facilitate the sales process.
Client meetings or conferences can create reasons to travel, but the amount of travel depends on your clients and business model.
A U.S. state license does not automatically authorize transactions in another country. Check the applicable local requirements before offering services there.
Once you have that credential under your belt, I’d suggest spending a year or two honing your sales and customer service techniques. This will prove beneficial when working with a diverse group of clients spread across the globe.
You might also want to learn your target market’s primary language and culture.
For further preparation, I’d also encourage taking a Certified International Property Specialist course. This is not a mandatory or legal demand. But it will help you gear up for the global market.
NAR offers the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation for international real estate knowledge and networking. It is a professional designation, not a replacement for a required government license.
Deducting Travel Expenses
A business trip may create deductible expenses, but a deduction is not a reimbursement, and personal vacation spending does not become deductible simply because you are an agent.
The IRS business-travel rules generally cover ordinary and necessary expenses while away from your tax home long enough to need sleep or rest. Your tax home usually means your main business area, not necessarily your family residence. Keep records of the business purpose and expenses, separate personal costs, and check the rules for your employment situation. Business meals are generally subject to a 50% limit; most employees cannot deduct unreimbursed travel expenses.
The Realistic Travels of a Real Estate Agent
Travel is possible in a real estate career, but a smooth trip starts with preparation. Arrange client coverage, confirm the rules wherever you plan to perform real estate work, and keep business and personal expenses separate. If international work interests you, build local partnerships and check licensing requirements before offering services abroad. Have you found a way to make travel work with your client schedule? Share your experience in the comments.
