NAICS Code for Real Estate
Real estate businesses are most commonly classified in NAICS Sector 53. Sector 53 (Real Estate and Rental and Leasing) includes establishments primarily engaged in leasing real estate, selling/buying real estate for others, property management, and real-estate-related services such as appraisals.
The correct NAICS code depends on the primary activity: lessor (owner/landlord), broker/agent, property manager, appraiser, or other real-estate-related services.
How to choose the correct NAICS code for a real estate business
Quick rule: match the NAICS code to the business’s primary economic activity (the activity that drives the majority of output).
- Owns property and leases it: start with 5311 (Lessors of Real Estate).
- Sells/buys/rents property for others (agent/broker): use 531210.
- Manages property for others: use 531311 (residential) or 531312 (nonresidential).
- Appraisals: use 531320.
- Other real-estate-related services: use 531390 only when no more specific code fits.
Tip: confirm the definition and included/excluded activities on the destination NAICS page before finalizing a code.
⚠️ Common mistake: choosing Sector 53 because “real estate” appears in the name.
If the primary activity is holding equity, operating a financial vehicle, or performing construction/development, the correct NAICS code is often outside Sector 53. See Outside Sector 53 below.
What is the NAICS code for a real estate LLC?
“LLC” is a legal structure, not an industry category. A “real estate LLC” can have different NAICS codes depending on what it actually does.
Core NAICS codes for real estate (Sector 53)
Lessors of real estate (NAICS 5311)
Landlords and owners who lease or rent real estate (residential, commercial, self-storage, and other property types).
Agents/brokers and related services (NAICS 5312–5313)
Businesses that represent buyers/sellers/lessors (agents and brokers), manage property for others, appraise property, or provide other real-estate-related services.
- 531210 – Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers
- 531311 – Residential Property Managers
- 531312 – Nonresidential Property Managers
- 531320 – Offices of Real Estate Appraisers
- 531390 – Other Activities Related to Real Estate
Use the most specific code possible: If the business clearly fits brokerage (531210), property management (531311/531312), or appraisals (531320), use that code rather than 531390.
Sector 53 / 531x hierarchy (reference)
View the Sector 53 / 531x hierarchy
Use this list when you know the general category but need the correct level (sector, industry group, or U.S. industry).
| Category | NAICS | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing |
| Lessors of real estate | 5311 | Owners/landlords leasing or renting property |
| Agents and brokers | 5312, 531210 | Selling/buying/renting real estate for others |
| Activities related to real estate | 5313, 531311, 531312, 531320, 531390 | Property management, appraisals, and other real estate services |
Hybrid businesses: If a company both owns rentals (5311) and runs brokerage services (531210), classify by the activity representing the majority of economic output.
Best practice: keep a short internal note (1–2 sentences) explaining what was selected and what was excluded for repeatability.
Common real estate business types (and the NAICS code used)
Real estate agent / broker:
Typically 531210 – Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers.
Property management (residential):
531311 – Residential Property Managers.
Property management (commercial/nonresidential):
531312 – Nonresidential Property Managers.
Real estate appraisal:
531320 – Offices of Real Estate Appraisers.
Real estate consulting / other services not listed above:
Often 531390 – Other Activities Related to Real Estate (when the primary activity is real-estate-related services other than lessors, agents/brokers, managers, or appraisers).
Common “real estate” activities outside NAICS Sector 53
Some businesses use “real estate” in their name or description but are classified outside Sector 53 because the primary activity is finance, holding companies, or construction.
Holding companies & investment vehicles
- 551112 – Offices of Other Holding Companies (holding companies that hold equity interests)
- 525990 – Other Financial Vehicles (example: certain investment vehicle structures)
- 522294 – Secondary Market Financing (example: certain mortgage investment conduits)
For “real estate investment,” the correct code depends on whether the primary activity is owning/leasing property (often 5311) or operating a financial/holding structure.
Real estate development & construction
- 237210 – Land Subdivision
- 236115 – New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)
- 236116 – New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)
- 236117 – New Housing For-Sale Builders
- 236118 – Residential Remodelers (often used for “home flipping” models)
Development is commonly classified by the type of construction activity being performed rather than Sector 53.
Applied uses of real estate NAICS codes
- Licensing, vendor onboarding, and compliance classification fields
- Insurance underwriting and risk segmentation
- Market sizing, peer benchmarking, and industry rollups
- Business database indexing and segmentation by primary activity
Real estate industry data and business lists
Need a real estate business list by NAICS code?
SICCODE.com provides real estate industry lists aligned to NAICS categories (Sector 53 and related “outside Sector 53” real estate-adjacent activities). Lists can be filtered by NAICS, geography (state, county, ZIP), company size, and other firmographic fields, with delivery options including CSV, Excel, and structured formats for integration workflows.
FAQ
- What is the NAICS sector for real estate?
Real estate is most commonly classified under NAICS Sector 53 – Real Estate and Rental and Leasing. - What NAICS code is used for real estate agents and brokers?
Typically 531210 – Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers. - What NAICS code is used for property management?
Residential property managers: 531311. Nonresidential property managers: 531312. - What is the NAICS code for a rental property LLC?
Often 5311 – Lessors of Real Estate, if the primary activity is owning and leasing property. - Is real estate development in NAICS 53?
Often no. Development is commonly classified under construction-related NAICS codes (e.g., 236xxx or 237210) depending on the activity performed. - When should I use 531390?
Use 531390 when the primary activity is real-estate-related services that do not fit more specific categories like brokerage (531210), property management (531311/531312), or appraisals (531320).
Next steps
Start with NAICS Sector 53, then choose the code that best matches the business’s primary activity: lessor (5311), agent/broker (531210), property manager (531311/531312), appraiser (531320), or other related services (531390).
Related resources
- NAICS Code Lookup Directory
- What Is a NAICS Code?
- NAICS Included vs. Excluded Activities
- SIC Codes vs NAICS Codes
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