Why is Being a Realtor So Stressful? - Thrive Global (2024)

Maybe you struggle to get to sleep because you’re thinking about tomorrow morning’s viewing. Or perhaps you get to sleep fine but wake up from a nightmare about losing all the keys to the houses you’re showing. Perhaps pandemic-related disruption in real estate has left you feeling anxious and worried about your job.

Let’s face it, being a realtor can be pretty stressful. Maybe you’re buried in paperwork, you’re dealing with yet another demanding phone call at an unreasonable hour, or you’re working long hours and weekends to fit everything in.

Here are some of the reasons why real estate is so stressful:

  1. There Are a Lot of Moving Pieces

Each real estate transaction requires the completion of lots of different tasks. Forgetting one small but crucial task could have serious legal consequences. Understandably, a lot of realtors find themselves worrying about staying on top of everything.

One of the best ways to avoid missing a single real estate transaction is to use an electronic checklist. You (and the rest of your team) can update this on the go, letting you see at a glance what next actions are needed. Your checklist is also a great way to keep an eye on transactions that need urgent action to meet deadlines.

  1. You Have No Plan for Your Day

As a realtor, you might think it’s pointless (or impossible) to plan your day. Maybe your day consists of lots of calls from clients, marketing your properties, dealing with lots of urgent things that crop up, and doing as much prospecting as you can fit in.

Without a plan, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. You might end up handling tasks that you really should delegate to someone else in the office – or you might find yourself forgetting about that phone call you promised to make.

At the start of each day, plan three things you want to accomplish. They don’t have to be big, time-consuming tasks – but they should be significant ones that move the needle in some way. Schedule time during the day when you’ll work on these tasks. During that time, let calls go to voicemail if possible.

  1. You Don’t Have Any Boundaries Around Work

Many realtors end up working in the evenings and at weekends. You might well think it’s necessary to work long hours in order to stay ahead in a highly competitive industry. But the truth is, after about 55 hours per week, you’re actually becoming less productive, not more.

You need boundaries around work. Stop work for the day at a consistent time, so you can have the chance to relax in the evening. (You’ll likely find you sleep better.) Take at least one full day off work, completely, every week. This may mean carefully planning house showings to ensure you get some time off.

Instead of letting work spill over into every aspect of your life, create firm boundaries to hold work in place. Most people find that “work expands to fill the time available” – and by limiting the time available, you’ll push yourself to work more efficiently.

  1. You Don’t Have Good Systems in Place

Perhaps you go through a “feast or famine” cycle at work, where sometimes you’ve got more clients than you can handle, and sometimes you’re desperately prospecting for work. Without good systems in place, it’s tough to even things out.

You need to be continually bringing in new clients, with a reliable pipeline. That could mean something as simple as always contacting clients a couple of weeks after their home is sold, to ask them if they can refer you to a friend or two. It could also mean creating useful content for your website, to help bring in more clients from search engines – or posting regularly on social media groups in your local area.

  1. You Only Get Paid When You Sell a Property

Probably the most stressful thing, for many realtors, is that you may only get paid when you actually sell a property. While this can be good news if you’re on a strong run of sales, it can also be very stressful if you’re expecting sales to go ahead then fall through.

The best way to mitigate this type of stress is to ensure that you keep careful control of your personal finances. Make sure you build up an emergency fund to help you through any unexpected lean times. Try to arrange things so that you always have at least 3 months of living expenses in the bank. This is a lot less stressful than constantly having to hustle for the next sale in order to pay your mortgage.

While a small amount of stress can be good for us – helping us to stay focused and productive – constant, large amounts of stress aren’t helpful. If you’re struggling to sleep well, feeling low or irritable, or having relationship issues, then look at making some changes.

Why is Being a Realtor So Stressful? - Thrive Global (2024)

FAQs

Why is being a real estate agent so stressful? ›

High pressure environment

As a real estate agent, you're under a lot of pressure to get your clients the best deal. There is no room for error; if you don't close the sale and get them their dream home, it's going to be on your shoulders.

What is the toughest thing about being in real estate? ›

The 5 Hardest Things About Being a Realtor
  • Uncertainty about real estate market. This is perhaps one of the biggest uncertainties realtors have to deal with on a daily basis. ...
  • Constantly being on the go. ...
  • Commission is by no means a guarantee. ...
  • Being underpaid for hard work. ...
  • Dealing with difficult clients.

Why do so many people want to be real estate agents? ›

Becoming a real estate agent gives you access to the American Dream, i.e. the freedom to pursue success and prosperity. As a small business owner, you have: A flexible daily schedule - You decide what you'll do and when you'll do it. A flexible vacation schedule - You can go on vacation and return whenever you chose.

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate agent? ›

The Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Career
  • Pro #1. Achieving Freedom. ...
  • Pro #2. Feeling Responsible. ...
  • Pro #3. Being Respected. ...
  • Pro #4. Excitement. ...
  • Con #1. Having Nothing to Do. ...
  • Con #2. Doing the Wrong Things. ...
  • Con #3. Weird Working Hours. ...
  • Con #4. Irregular Income.

Why do people get out of real estate? ›

Some common reasons why realtors may choose to leave their jobs could include feeling burned out from the long hours and high pressure of the job, feeling like they are not earning enough money, or simply wanting to try something new.

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

Many agents fail because they can't make enough money in that first year of real estate to pay their bills. They're forced to take on part-time jobs with a steady paycheck.

Do most millionaires do real estate? ›

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of all millionaires invest in some form of real estate. There are several reasons for this, but in today's article, we'll share seven reasons why millionaires invest in real estate.

Why are most millionaires in real estate? ›

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

How do you answer why are you interested in real estate? ›

They should be able to discuss their career goals and how you can help them achieve those goals. Sample Answer: I want to be a real estate agent because I enjoy helping people find the right home. I have a flexible schedule, and I want to advance my career by working with a top-notch agency.

What do people want most in a real estate agent? ›

There are a number of things most people expect when engaging with a real estate professional. They should be friendly, understand the local real estate market, have a fair degree of experience and advise you on the best practices related to buying or selling property.

Why do realtors love their job? ›

The ability to help people. When you work as a real estate agent, you're helping people make the most important financial decision of their lives. You're also helping them find homes where they will create cherished memories for years to come. This gives many real estate agents a high amount of job satisfaction.

What are the downside of being a real estate agent? ›

One of the biggest cons of this job is the amount of patience it requires. It may take a new real estate agent months to find their first client or close their deal. There is a lot of work that agents do before they ever see the profits, such as prospecting, advertising, and conducting open houses.

What is fun about being a real estate agent? ›

Some people relish in their work routine. It gives them control and limits the chances for surprises or changes. For most real estate agents, though, doing something new every day and facing new challenges are part of the fun of being an agent.

What are some hazards of being a real estate agent? ›

Risks of Becoming a Real Estate Agent
  • Related: How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make? ...
  • Lack of Sales Due to Housing Market Unpredictability. ...
  • Unrealistic Expectations of Sellers. ...
  • Commissions Reliance on Home Prices. ...
  • The Number of Real Estate Agents. ...
  • When the Agent Is Also a Real Estate Investor.
Nov 15, 2017

Why do most agents fail? ›

Missing a Business Plan

Without a business plan in place, you won't have a path that can lead you in the direction you're trying to go. 87% of real estate agents fail because they're missing a business plan that outlines the steps they need to take in order to reach their goals.

What is real estate agent salary? ›

What is an ethical violation in real estate? ›

Code of Ethics Violations. Common real estate ethics complaints can include: Not acting in the best interests of clients. Revealing private or confidential information. Advertising a listed property without disclosing their Realtor status.

Where do realtors make the most money? ›

The following are the 10 states where real estate agents earn, on average, the most money:
  • New York: $111,800 (average real estate agent salary)
  • Massachusetts: $84,180.
  • Connecticut: $79,780.
  • Alaska: $79,360.
  • Colorado: $76,850.
  • Utah: $75,170.
  • California: $74,140.
  • Texas: $72,830.
Jul 28, 2020

How many houses do most realtors sell a year? ›

According to NAR, the average Realtor completes a median of 12 residential transactions annually. However, it's important to keep in mind that this doesn't necessarily indicate how many houses the average Realtor sells.

Is it hard to succeed in real estate? ›

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. If you don't sell, you don't earn anything.

What do most realtors make their first year? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $144,000 and as low as $28,000, the majority of First Year Real Estate Agent salaries currently range between $65,000 (25th percentile) to $100,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $125,000 annually across the United States.

What are the slowest times in real estate? ›

Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.

What time of year is slowest for real estate? ›

Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to purchase a home. Sellers are often motivated, which automatically translates into an advantage to you. Most people suspend their listings from around Thanksgiving to the New Year because they assume buyers are scarce.

How much do top 1% realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

Who is the richest realtor? ›

1. Donald Bren. Donald Bren began his career as a typical real estate agent, making his first investment in a real estate company that purchased over 90,000 acres of land.

What is the richest real estate job? ›

14 high-paying real estate jobs
  • Property accountant.
  • Real estate broker.
  • Realtor.
  • New home sales consultant.
  • Compliance specialist.
  • Real estate agent.
  • Real estate attorney.
  • Mortgage loan officer.
Mar 10, 2023

What is a real estate tycoon? ›

What Is a Real Estate Mogul. Real estate moguls are the wealthiest real estate investors in the country. They've built an empire for themselves using active and passive real estate investments. They may own residential or commercial real estate, often a combination of the two.

What are some fun facts about real estate? ›

14 fun facts you (probably) never knew about houses
  • Sears used to sell mail-order houses. ...
  • A creaking house is related to temperature—not age. ...
  • Homes with black front doors sell for the highest price. ...
  • Brass doorknobs can disinfect themselves. ...
  • The typical homeowner stays in their house for 13.2 years.
Jan 3, 2023

Do millionaires pay off their house? ›

Most have paid off their mortgages. In 2020, 58% of the state's equity millionaires owned their homes free and clear. Statewide, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of Californians who have paid off their mortgages, from 1.6 million households in 2000 to 2.4 million in 2020.

What are the three most important things in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake. What is it about the location that makes it so vital to real estate investing?

How should I dress for a real estate interview? ›

As a real estate professional, you are likely to dress in business casual or business professional attire when on the job. Consider dressing for your interview in the same attire you would when meeting a client.

How do you nail a real estate interview? ›

Be prepared to answer real estate interview questions about your history with solid statistics and numbers.
  1. Include the number of homes you've sold on your resume.
  2. Talk about the types of homes, neighborhoods, buyers, etc. ...
  3. Mention any awards or advanced credentials you've received.

What is the best personality for real estate? ›

Top Ten Traits of a Real Estate Agent
  • Problem solver mindset.
  • Self-motivated entrepreneur.
  • Honesty and integrity.
  • Hustle and tenacity.
  • Interest in houses and architecture.
  • Engaging personality.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Understand the local housing market.

What personality type is a real estate agent? ›

Most real estate agents are associated with the ENTP personality. ENTP stands for extraversion, intuition, thinking, and perceiving.

Do attractive real estate agents do better? ›

3: Good news for those trying to sell your home: "the effect on house prices of having an attractive listing agent is about twice as large as that of an attractive selling agent." 4: Just because your selling agent is attractive doesn't mean that your property will sell faster; in fact, it's quite the opposite.

Why do realtors do highest and best? ›

As the seller, you usually ask for the highest and best offer to eliminate negotiations and expedite the deal. It lets buyers know you're looking for only the most serious offers. Conversely, with a best and final offer, you're asking buyers to go above and beyond the competition to convince you to sell to them.

Why do you want to be a real estate agent essay? ›

I want to become a real estate agent because I have a passion for helping people and pointing them in the right direction. I want to help them with everything from inspections, property analysis, repairs, moving, cleaning, packing, everything involved in a sales transaction, I want to help people with it.

Is it okay to interview realtors? ›

It's a good idea to interview multiple candidates — three at a minimum — before making a decision about who you'll work with. Here are 10 interview questions to ask a Realtor that can help you find the perfect match for your needs.

What is the life of a real estate agent? ›

A typical day might involve spending time at the office, meeting with clients, staging and showing homes, and scheduling appraisals and inspections. Other tasks include generating leads, researching, marketing, and accompanying clients to property closings.

What is the job outlook for real estate agents? ›

Is it a good idea to invest in real estate? ›

The benefits of investing in real estate are numerous. With well-chosen assets, investors can enjoy predictable cash flow, excellent returns, tax advantages, and diversification—and it's possible to leverage real estate to build wealth.

Is real estate saturated? ›

But in recent years, the market has become saturated, with an overwhelming number of agents and realtors flooding the field. As such, it has become increasingly difficult to stand out and secure a foothold in this cutthroat industry.

Is real estate a high risk industry? ›

There is a financial risk of real estate business operation. Uncertain property climates, the high-value transactions, and its propensity to attract scammers all play into that evaluation.

What are 4 of the major real estate risk concerns? ›

What Are the Major Risks in Real Estate Investing?
  • Major Risks in Real Estate. Identifying risk is a critical skill when investing. ...
  • Capital Risk. Capital risk is the loss of capital. ...
  • Debt. Debt financing is often used in real estate investing. ...
  • Liability. ...
  • Liquidity Risk. ...
  • Market Risk. ...
  • Over Leverage.
Jul 15, 2022

Is selling real estate stressful? ›

While the process of selling a home is stressful, it's usually compounded by factors that prompted your move in the first place and issues resulting from the decision to make a major life change.

Is real estate a happy job? ›

When you work as a real estate agent, you're helping people make the most important financial decision of their lives. You're also helping them find homes where they will create cherished memories for years to come. This gives many real estate agents a high amount of job satisfaction.

Is being a real estate agent hard in a recession? ›

What does it take to succeed as a Realtor during a recession? It's hard to succeed as a Realtor when the economy is good and even harder when the nation is going through a recession. However, some real estate agents succeed no matter what comes their way.

Is it hard to be good at real estate? ›

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.

What is the most stressful part of selling a house? ›

You may be surprised to know that for most sellers, the most stressful part of selling was not knowing if their home would sell in time. 56% of survey respondents reported this as their biggest stressor throughout the entire selling process.

Can you be shy and do real estate? ›

You might ask whether introverts make good real estate agents? Of course, they can. There is this common misconception that introverts make incapable real estate agents. This myth can be attributed, in part, to a misunderstanding of what it really means to have an introverted or extroverted personality.

What is the happiest job in the world? ›

20 of the happiest jobs
  • Early childhood education teacher.
  • Sound engineering technician.
  • Event planner.
  • Plumber.
  • General manager.
  • Carpenter.
  • Esthetician.
  • Interior designer.
Mar 16, 2023

What is the outlook for real estate agents? ›

Is real estate career risky? ›

There are three main risks to becoming a real estate agent. They can be divided into the unpredictability of the housing market, stress from many areas, and legal issues. Safety is also a concern, as you're often working with clients who you've never met before. Is real estate a dying career?

How can I make money when my real estate is slow? ›

Here are a few ideas: Rent out properties – This is a great way to generate income, even when the market is down. By renting out properties, you can still make money while waiting for the market to improve. Sell other services: If you're not selling homes, you can still sell your services.

What type of real estate does well in a recession? ›

Commercial real estate is one of the best investments in a recession, but not all classes of real estate do well.

How much do the top 1% of realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

What type of realtor makes the most money? ›

Real Estate Broker

A real estate broker is permitted under law to negotiate and organize real estate dealings. A career as a real estate broker is one of the highest paying and lucrative professions in the real estate industry. On average, experienced brokers take home a six-figure pay.

What percentage of millionaires are realtors? ›

90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 6156

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.