For many Boston students, the off-campus housing search can be ruthless. With rent prices skyrocketing in recent years and available housing dwindling, the process becomes increasingly stressful according to both students and seasoned real estate agents. Students say they feel the pressure to lock down their roommates and contact real estate agents early, with experts recommending starting the search during the winter quarter to secure quality housing arrangements for the following fall.
For students attending urban schools like Northeastern University and Emerson College, living off-campus becomes an inevitable reality after the second year, when on-campus housing is no longer guaranteed. Of the nearly 163,000 students enrolled in Boston-based undergraduate and graduate programs as of fall 2023, about 67.5% of students in the greater Boston area live off campus, often in areas like Allston, Fenway, Brighton and Mission Hill. Northeastern, in particular, has seen its off-campus student population grow by 31.9 percent in the 2022-23 academic year alone The pressure to find the perfect place has opened a surprising door for some students: becoming real estate agents themselves. Agencies like BostonPads have recognized the demand and actively recruit students, offering entry-level positions that require no prior experience — just a high school diploma.
“While searching for housing, I realized that many of the people involved in real estate were my age, which inspired me to think, ‘If they’re doing this, why can’t I?’” said Sarah Abouchleih, a fourth-year finance and computer science combined major at Northeastern who was motivated to pursue real estate in 2021 during her search for off-campus housing.
Abouchleih attended an online school called the American Real Estate Academy, or AREA, to receive her real estate license, noting that the program itself wasn’t difficult, but staying on top of the licensing process was crucial.
Balancing the roles of both agent and student, student real estate agents not only help their peers navigate the complex housing market, but also seize the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills and establish valuable connections in the real estate industry.
After Nicholas Mascolo, a fourth-year finance and data science combined major at Northeastern, had an unsuccessful co-op search in fall 2023, Mascolo realized he needed additional work experience and decided to take action. Mascolo, a member of Kappa Sigma, noticed there was an untapped market of housing search support for his fraternity brothers.
“Having a group chat with 120 guys in a fraternity continuously looking for housing means constant demand,” he said. “Those guys also have their own external networks who they can send my way. It seemed like a no-brainer to also take advantage of the opportunity.”
By the end of August, Mascolo had his real estate license and joined Boardwalk Properties Mission Hill just in time to start applying for the next co-op cycle. His added experience as a real estate agent landed him 17 rounds of interviews across eight companies.
Padding a resume isn’t the only thing that draws students to real estate; many are attracted to real estate by a desire to assist others and bring integrity to an industry often plagued by exploitation. Minh Mai, a third-year Northeastern business administration and political science combined major, had been renting his whole life and entered the real estate industry to understand it better and address unethical practices. During his time as a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker from July 2022 to July 2023, Mai dedicated himself to simplifying the housing search for fellow students and ensuring a smoother, more transparent process.
“I focused on educating myself and helping friends with apartment searches, lease reviews and effective communication with landlords,” he said. “I’m in it more so for education and empowerment.”
Student real estate agents work as independent contractors, allowing them the flexibility to set their own hours around academic commitments. This role not only allows them to develop valuable, marketable skills for co-op opportunities, but also helps them build an extensive professional network. The greatest advantage, they said, is their deep awareness and understanding of the off-campus housing markets, giving them a unique advantage in navigating and meeting students’ needs.
“I know exactly what students want and how to connect with them,” Mascolo said. “I feel it makes for a less awkward and more comfortable experience. Being more relatable goes a long way in sales. And to be honest, part of it is knowing the popular houses.”
Abouchleih said her strength lies in being able to cater to specific preferences, such as proximity to the Whole Foods near campus, Symphony Hall or Columbus Avenue.
“I understand where larger groups fit best, like five people in Mission Hill versus South End,” she said. “Parents often prioritize safety and comfort for their kids. I can pinpoint what aligns with their expectations.”
For Mai, it cost $250 a month to stay in the Coldwell Banker group and access agent databases. Abouchleih said it can be a lucrative industry, but it is not always a reliable money-maker compared to traditional nine-to-five jobs. Additionally, navigating the licensing process in Massachusetts can be challenging, so Abouchleih advises those considering the job to start early.
Krystal Zepaj, a third-year math and finance combined major at Northeastern, expands on the time constraints she faces with Lyv Realty.
“It can be so time-consuming. Although you can do it on your own schedule, it’s still a lot of work,” Zepaj said. “I try to only do it during breaks or during summer due to my heavy course load.”
Mascolo emphasized the importance of the time commitment necessary to be able to dictate his own schedule. He said that those considering this path need to be ready for meticulous daily planning and the possibility of receiving calls at any hour.
“Balancing this with school is tough; showings can take hours, and when you take clients, they set the schedule,” Mai said.
Becoming a student real estate agent embodies the values of gaining hands-on experience, exploring new opportunities and building professional networks — priorities for many Boston college students.
“It’s the easiest way to build relationships with landlords who oftentimes can help you make the next step in your career,” Mascolo said. “If you do a good job helping students find their off-campus housing, they’ll more than likely reach out to you for postgrad housing.”
Zepaj highlighted how exploring real estate in Boston mirrors the experiential learning emphasized by Northeastern’s co-op programs.
“I feel like it’s a lot of exploration of a career you think you may like,” Zepaj said. “That’s great, especially with the pressure of landing your first job after college.”
Boston students are navigating the challenges of the competitive housing market, honing skills and seizing opportunities that will serve them well in co-ops and postgrad careers. By taking initiative and identifying gaps in the housing market and tenant services, they demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness, setting themselves apart as innovators, ready to thrive in any environment.
