The Hardest Things About Being a Real Estate Agent (2024)

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Working in real estate is a fast-paced, exciting lifestyle. But for the vast majority of us, it is far from luxurious. There are real challenges to confront day to day. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the hardest.

Irregular Pay

There are ups and downs in real estate. It is a fact of life. Some months you are the king of the world. Other months you just barely scrape by. This makes it difficult to make plans for the future and set financial goals. One of the hardest things about being a real estate agent is smoothing your income so that it is consistent throughout the year. This requires discipline and rigorous budgeting. Some agents take second jobs. Neither is particularly glamorous.

Marketing Uncompetitive Properties

Some homes are in great condition, ready-to-sell as soon as they are listed. Some are not. This latter category can be a real challenge. Whether it’s because of the season, a down market, or simply the regular rotation of clients, real estate agents will find themselves marketing homes with major flaws. It takes patience and creativity to get these homes to sell. Even then, they are not likely to bring in a big payoff.

Communication

Selling a home is a partnership between the real estate agent and the client. Any partnership requires strong, clear communication. But this is particularly difficult in real estate because there is so much on the line. Real estate agents should provide honest advice and manage expectations. Even still, some clients only hear what they want to hear.

Building a Client Base

The pressure to add clients is huge for real estate agents, especially early on. This is why many go to great lengths to promote themselves and their work. Some can be silly like wearing a nametag everyday or prospecting on dating apps. Ultimately, you can’t sell homes without clients. It’s a challenge all agents face.

LUKE’S TIP:

Time Management

Being a real estate agent is flexible. There is no set time you need to be in the office. Sounds great right? Now consider that there is also no set time when you are done for the day. Phone calls interrupt family dinner. Text messages arrive during your kids’ sports events. A new email notification sounds just as you are getting into bed. All of this is an inconvenience to you and your family. And it is the downside of flexibility that not enough people talk about.

Justifying Your Role

Imagine a typical employee who collects a paycheck every two weeks. Now imagine a similar employee who is forced to renegotiate his paycheck each time it arrives. Being a real estate agent is a bit like this second employee. While the standard commission is 6 percent, there is no shortage of clients that think you are not worth that amount. And many are not afraid to say it. It’s not exactly fun to constantly have to defend your services.

The Grind

One of the great things about real estate is the relatively low barrier to entry. Anyone can become an agent and take steps toward a new career trajectory. But the downside is the competition. Each year new, energized agents enter the market. It takes continual learning and constant evolution to stay ahead. You’ll be motivated because nothing is worse than losing a lead to the competition. But it can also feel like a grind.

Taken in whole, real estate is great. You are able to meet and get to know all kinds of people. And there is a real sense of accomplishment for making your own way in this world. But it ain’t easy, folks.

For more on the real estate industry, check out Is Real Estate Right for Me? and How to Find a Work-Life Balance in Real Estate.

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Disclaimer

The opinions or information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policy, or position of Realtyna. The information on Realtyna’s Website is general, for informational purposes only, and is not to be relied upon or interpreted as real estate, legal, accounting, or other professional advice or a substitute. Please discuss anything related to the certification process, professional advice or legal procedures with your MLS providers.

The Hardest Things About Being a Real Estate Agent (2024)

FAQs

What is the toughest thing about being a real estate agent? ›

One of the hardest things about being a real estate agent is smoothing your income so that it is consistent throughout the year. This requires discipline and rigorous budgeting. Some agents take second jobs.

What do realtors struggle with the most? ›

Here are five of the biggest challenges real estate agents encounter on their road to success – and how to overcome them.
  1. Market Fluctuations. Nothing stays the same in real estate. ...
  2. Fierce Competition. ...
  3. Long Hours. ...
  4. Time Management.
Nov 18, 2023

Why is being a realtor so hard? ›

Earning a living selling real estate is hard work. You have to be organized in order to keep track of legal documents, meetings, and all the tasks that go into multiple listings. You may go without a paycheck for periods of time because the work is often commission-based.

What makes being a realtor stressful? ›

Agents might find themselves frantically moving between client meetings, property viewings, paperwork, marketing tasks, and negotiations. This lack of structure can lead to stress, as it becomes challenging to manage time effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What is the biggest problem in real estate? ›

Top Challenges
  • Housing affordability.
  • Maintaining sufficient inventory.
  • Keeping up with technology.
  • Profitability.
  • Rising costs in the industry.
  • Local or regional economic conditions.
Oct 5, 2023

Why do so many fail in real estate? ›

Often it's because agents are poorly prepared for what might appear to be an easy way to make big money. The most common mistakes that new agents make include inadequate prospecting, failing to market properties in ways that lead to timely sales, and not following up with their contacts to build lasting relationships.

What is the biggest challenge real estate agents face? ›

Generating Quality Leads

The lifeblood of any real estate business is a steady stream of qualified leads. Without people interested in buying or selling, there are no transactions. Unfortunately, lead generation is one of the biggest pain points for many agents.

What state is the hardest to be a realtor? ›

The difficulty of the real estate exam varies by state, but the California real estate exam is known to be one of the most difficult. In fact, the pass rate for the California real estate exam in the last two years was under 50%, which means it's incredibly competitive and difficult to pass.

Why is the first year of real estate the hardest? ›

Perhaps the biggest challenge you'll face in your first year as a real estate agent is fear of rejection. Unfortunately, there's no way to sugarcoat this: You're going to hear the word “no” a lot as a real estate agent. Get comfortable with it.

Why did I quit being a real estate agent? ›

Some common reasons include: Closing deals takes a while, which means getting paid takes a while. The reality of what real estate agents do doesn't line up with your expectations. Changing market conditions means your old sales tactics are no longer working like they used to.

What is the hardest part of selling a house? ›

Getting your home ready for sale is number one. Looking good is essential- clean and depersonalise. The clean-up is the hardest part, and the more thorough you are, the better will your results be.

What scares real estate agents the most? ›

1) Fear of rejection.

This is often the first thing to come to mind when realtors are asked to share their biggest fear, especially for those agents who are new to the industry.

What is the most difficult part of being a realtor? ›

1. Uncertainty about real estate market. This is perhaps one of the biggest uncertainties realtors have to deal with on a daily basis. Every realtor is worried about not being able to sell their properties and how it will affect his or her commissions at the end of the month.

Why do people love being a realtor? ›

One of the most profound and gratifying aspects of being a real estate agent is the opportunity to play a pivotal role in people's lives. In this line of work, we aren't just facilitating property transactions; we are helping individuals and families make life-altering decisions.

What are the cons of working with a realtor? ›

One of the biggest drawbacks of working with a real estate agent is the cost. Agent commissions can be a significant expense for sellers, as they typically take a percentage of the sale price of the home. Buyers may also face additional costs, such as closing costs and other fees.

What is the hardest part of the real estate exam? ›

The area of the exam that is considered the most challenging varies from person to person, but many people find that the Practice of Real Estate and Disclosures section is the most difficult. This section takes up 25% of the exam and has between 37-38 questions to answer.

What are the disadvantages of having a real estate agent? ›

One of the biggest drawbacks of working with a real estate agent is the cost. Agent commissions can be a significant expense for sellers, as they typically take a percentage of the sale price of the home. Buyers may also face additional costs, such as closing costs and other fees.

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