What motivates real estate professionals to succeed? (2024)

What motivates real estate professionals to succeed? Well that's going to vary from agent to agent. Some are driven by competetiveness, some by money, some for recognition, or to serve others. I don't think anyone agent has a singular driver. I know agents that are completely focused on protecting property rights at the local, state and national level. I know agents that are in it for "glamour". Some driven to earn to fund lifestyle or fund a passion, charity or give back to the community. For me I was in customer service positions from a young age, retail, gas station attendant, auto parts, waiter/bartender, wholesale parts distributor, farmers market plant sales. These all lead me to real estate, to serve others and earn more.

This is a hard one to answer because there is not just one aspect that generally motivates a real estate professional. That said, I think I had the best first transaction anyone could have had which has driven me to be the best real estate professional that I can be. I had a widowed mother and her two children who cried at the closing table because they never thought they would be able to buy a property after the loss of their husband/father. It was an emotional experience, but being able to help people in need like that gave me personal satisfaction that has driven me to this day. Of course, there are financial gains and professional growth, but if you can find a career that doesn't feel like a job, you have won.

Helping people achieve their dream of homeownership: Witnessing the joy and relief on clients' faces can be incredibly rewarding.Sense of accomplishment: Closing deals, meeting goals, and building a successful career can bring immense personal satisfaction.Intellectual challenge: The dynamic nature of the market and constant learning opportunities keep things stimulating and engaging.

Being a salesperson is the great equalizer. It doesn't matter if you have an Ivy League degree or if you are PHD (Poor, Hungry, and Determined). Anyone who works hard can make it. I was born in the Bronx to a young, single mother. Despite having every reason in the world to become another statistic, real estate sales has afforded me the ability to give my future family the life I didn't have growing up.

High earning potential: Real estate offers the potential for substantial income through commissions and bonuses.Flexibility and control: Professionals have the freedom to set their own schedule and manage their workload, leading to financial autonomy.Lifestyle benefits: Successful agents can enjoy financial security and flexibility to pursue desired lifestyles.

As a mortgage lender, I pride myself on being the best resource to my clients in helping them achieve their financial wellness goals, whether it be preparing to buy their first home or making an investment decision. Continuously learning how to leverage certain mortgage products, financial and investment strategies, and keeping up with market trends allows me to tailor my approach to my clients' unique situation and provide them with a custom roadmap to achieve their goals while doing what's in their best financial interest. You might offer the same products as another LO, but professional growth is what is going to differentiate you from your peers in the industry when it comes to what type of service you provide.

Continuous learning: The field demands adaptability and staying updated on market trends and regulations, fostering continuous learning and development.Building expertise: Becoming a trusted advisor and honing strong negotiation and communication skills.Career advancement: Opportunities for moving into leadership roles, owning a brokerage, or specializing in specific niches.

I have had many "high power" positions in my lifetime, & could likely have continued down that path. But nothing replaces the satisfaction I feel when I help my real estate clients.Real estate is an attainable means to building inter-generational wealth. It's life changing. I'm not just helping people buy and sell houses,I'm helping many people change their life,their future,and that of their family, all by using real estate.I feel its my mission, my passion, my gift and it brings me great personal joy and accomplishment. Do I like to win-Yes! Do I like the flexibility of the profession-Yes! Do I like the unlimited financial potential-Yes! But all of that would mean nothing if I didn't love the "job" of being a Realtor & helping my clients.

I struggled in any job that wasn’t real estate because I couldn’t see the end result of the hard work that I did. Real estate can be one of the most socially rewarding industries to be in because you can see your client either happy in their new home and can visit them there over time as they enjoy it, or you can bring them the satisfaction of making money at the closing table when they sell a home. Real estate agents are true leaders in their communities and it takes a lot of time and money to be able to do so. They support their vendor partners like designers and inspectors by sending them business. Many volunteer at charity events or host fundraisers. Adding value and contributing to others is rewarding and meaningful in the long run.

Facilitating communities: Real estate professionals play a crucial role in shaping communities and neighborhoods.Economic contribution: Their success contributes to the local economy and job creation.Advocating for housing justice: Some agents dedicate their work towards affordable housing initiatives or assisting underserved communities.

I never flipped a house, because I saw top coaches get lazy over the 'transactional' nature of making ~$30k/flip. I skipped to commercial real estate because I knew that a surprise move across the planet meant I needed to sort out retirement more urgently than maintaining a high salary.That way, it's not transactional.You're getting equity in something that has equity multiples and is on the right side of inflation and stock market crashes when you buy at the right price.But what do I know? I only have a driver's license.And a few hundred commercial real estate investor pals who I discuss trends with constantly.But I invest in commercial for one more reason: It's not the house grandpa built. It's built for rent.

Money is always a goal... but there is much more. Our people are motivated by their personal goals and aspirations. Don't hire without knowing them. Whether it's achieving work-life balance, attaining financial independence, or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, they align their career paths with their broader life objectives. Some seek flexibility and autonomy to spend more time with family or pursue hobbies and interests outside of work. Others aspire to build successful real estate businesses, cultivate influential networks, or leave a legacy for future generations. Personal goals serve as driving forces that fuel their passion, commitment, and resilience in the pursuit of success in the real estate industry.Just bring alignment.

Fulfilling personal aspirations: Reaching specific financial targets, achieving recognition, or leaving a legacy can be powerful motivators.Maintaining work-life balance: The flexibility allows for personal pursuits and family time, which can be highly motivating.Maintaining a competitive edge: The desire to excel and outperform peers can drive ambition and success.

Real estate has dozens of different areas that you can focus and specialize in. From brokerage/sales to development to title and capital solutions. You could do something new every year within CRE and go 20 years without repeating anything.

I'm going to get real: I have chronic migraines. It's bad, and I'm debilitated for hours at a time without warning.Because of this, I have a hard time working in any environment where I don't have full control of my schedule. Real estate has been a golden ray of light on my career. It matches my interest in investing, passion for connecting people, rewards strong drive and work ethic, and fulfills my need for autonomy. If I was stuck in a cubicle somewhere... I don't even know what'd I do.Just know that I could never see myself do anything different, and if you go ALL IN on a real estate career, you won't regret it in the long run.