We’ve been in this business long enough to tell you that real estate will teach you more about yourself than any job you’ve ever had. It’s not just about homes or contracts. It’s about resilience, decision-making, and building something that’s yours.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re weighing the idea of becoming a real estate agent, or maybe you already are one, trying to figure out if you made the right call. You’ve probably seen the social media glow-ups, the million-dollar listing fantasies, the “freedom lifestyle” reels.
Behind every closed deal is a mountain of discipline, risk, and messy middle work that rarely makes the highlight reel.
This article is for the career-changers, the side hustlers, and the entrepreneurs-at-heart who want to know what this industry actually looks like. We’re here to walk you through the real landscape.
- What’s great
- What grinds you down
- What it takes to build a real estate career that gives more than it takes
Let’s get honest about the pros and cons of being a real estate agent in 2025.
The Pros of Being a Real Estate Agent
If you’re considering this career, here’s what you need to know about the upside. Real estate can deliver freedom, fulfillment, and financial control, but only if you walk in with eyes wide open.
1. Flexible Schedule That Fits Your Life
This is often the first thing people get excited about, and for good reason. As a real estate agent, you decide when you work.
Want to do showings in the mornings so you can pick your kids up from school? You can. Prefer to work evenings and save the daytime for your side business? That’s on the table.
Flexibility is a massive perk, especially for parents, creatives, or anyone transitioning from a strict 9–5. But let’s be real, it only works if you’re disciplined. Freedom without structure can leave new agents spinning their wheels.
2. Unlimited Income Potential
Unlike salaried jobs, there’s no ceiling here. Your earning power is tied to how many deals you close, and what kind. In most markets, one residential closing can net you anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000 in commission.
If you’re in a higher-end area or working commercial, those numbers go up quickly.
So, how much can a new agent realistically earn in their first year? We’ve seen wide ranges, from $15K for part-timers to $75K+ for those who hit the ground running. Your network, hustle, and ability to generate leads will make or break that number. It’s not guaranteed, but it is possible.
3. You’re the Boss (Literally)
This isn’t a job, it’s a business. The moment you’re licensed, you’re running your own shop. That means you decide who you work with, how you market, and how you scale. But here’s the catch: you need the right infrastructure behind you, or the business side can eat you alive.
4. It’s a People Business
If you like talking to people, solving problems, and creating win-win outcomes, this field will feel like home. You’ll meet clients at big life moments, buying their first house, moving for a new job, investing in their future. Helping people through these milestones is powerful. You’re not just opening doors, you’re changing lives.
The flip side? You’ll need to manage personalities, emotions, and expectations. That’s where empathy and patience become as valuable as your sales skills. Agents who thrive long-term usually care more about relationships than commissions.
5. Fast Track Into a Career
Most agents can be licensed and earning within a few months. Compared to careers that require years of schooling or training, this is a fast on-ramp to self-employment.
You don’t need a college degree, and in many states, pre-licensing courses can be completed in under 90 hours. It’s a low-barrier path to a high-opportunity business, just know the real learning starts after you pass the test.
6. Business Growth Has No Ceiling
Once you get traction, the paths multiply.
Some agents stick with residential, others pivot into commercial, property management, investing, or even building teams of their own. Many use their license to create multiple income streams: transactions, referrals, flips, Airbnb properties, you name it.
We’ve had Realty Hub agents start with one part-time deal, then evolve into full-time income earners with referral networks across multiple states. Real estate gives you leverage if you’re willing to build it.
7. Total Control Over Your Niche
One of the biggest wins? You get to decide who you serve. That could mean helping military families relocate, guiding first-time buyers through affordable housing, or specializing in short-term rental investments.
Niche marketing is about passion and efficiency. When you know your ideal client inside and out, your messaging lands better, your referrals increase, and your deals close faster. Generic agents compete. Niche agents attract.
The Cons of Being a Real Estate Agent
No career that offers freedom and big paychecks comes without trade-offs, and real estate is no exception. I’ve coached enough agents to know that the biggest risk isn’t failure, it’s walking in with rose-colored glasses. Here’s what most brokers won’t say on the recruiting call, but what you need to know before diving in.
1. You Only Eat What You Kill (Commission-Only Pay)
This one hits hard, especially early on. As an agent, you don’t get a paycheck just for showing up. If you don’t close deals, you don’t get paid. That’s not a scare tactic, it’s the financial structure of the industry.
So how much should you save before going full-time? We recommend a minimum of 3–6 months of living expenses saved before you rely on real estate as your sole income stream. And that’s just to float your bills, startup costs like licensing, marketing, and onboarding with a broker are additional.
2. The Emotional Rollercoaster
There’s a side of this business no licensing class prepares you for: the emotional whiplash. One day, your client is thrilled. The next, they’re backing out.
You’ll spend weeks nurturing a lead only for them to ghost you at the finish line.
And when you finally close the deal? You might still deal with buyer’s remorse. You need to know how to ground nervous clients without pushing them, and how to emotionally protect your own energy.
Rejection, delays, dead deals, it’s part of the game. Agents who last are the ones who develop thick skin without losing their empathy.
3. Saturation is Real: Everyone Has a License
Real estate is one of the easiest professional licenses to obtain. That sounds like a pro, until you realize just how many people have jumped in over the last five years.
Is real estate still worth pursuing in a saturated market? Yes, but only if you treat it like a business. The agents who stand out are those who find a niche, provide real value, and create systems that scale.
New agents often get the short end of the stick: bottom-barrel leads, limited broker attention, and no roadmap.
4. Broker Politics Can Be Brutal
In traditional brokerages, favoritism, cliques, and seniority often dictate who gets the best leads or floor time. New agents get sidelined. You might be promised mentorship, only to realize the top producers are too busy protecting their turf.
5. Training Gaps & DIY Learning
Here’s a harsh truth: passing your licensing exam doesn’t prepare you to actually do the job. Many new agents are shocked by how little they know about contracts, negotiations, or working with clients.
What matters more than training? Tools, initiative, and accessible support.
6. Paperwork & Legal Liability
You’ll spend more time managing paperwork than you think, contracts, disclosures, inspection reports, contingencies, escrow forms. It’s not just about collecting signatures; it’s about ensuring accuracy, timelines, and compliance.
So what kind of paperwork do agents actually handle? Think everything from listing agreements and buyer rep contracts to title docs, lead paint disclosures, and HUD statements. Mess one up, and you risk legal liability, or a lost commission.
7. You Work Nights, Weekends & Holidays
Yes, you control your schedule, but real estate runs on client time. Most buyers and sellers want to tour homes or sign paperwork outside of their own workday. That means evenings, weekends, and yes, sometimes holidays.
It’s not sustainable unless you set boundaries early. Successful agents don’t work 24/7, they communicate expectations, block personal time, and build processes that protect their sanity.
8. You Pay to Play
The upfront and ongoing costs can surprise new agents. You’ll need to cover:
- Licensing and state fees
- MLS access and Realtor association dues
- Marketing (signs, cards, CRM, ads)
- Brokerage fees (unless you’re with a flat-fee model)
What Do Real Estate Agents Struggle With the Most?
After working with agents across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, we can tell you that most career roadblocks don’t come from a lack of ambition, they come from not having the right systems or support in place. These are the five pain points that consistently derail promising agents, and more importantly, how you can navigate them smarter.
Struggle #1: Getting Clients Without Leads
You’ll hear a lot of fluff in this industry about “just getting your name out there.” The truth? Client generation is one of the steepest climbs in the first year.
Door-knocking, cold calling, and hosting open houses for other agents are traditional routes. So are tapping into your personal network, building local social media presence, or buying leads through platforms like Zillow. But none of these work unless you’re consistent, and clear on your niche.
One underutilized strategy we recommend: specialize early. Become the go-to person for a specific type of client (first-time homebuyers, VA loans, relocation families), and tailor every piece of outreach to that audience.
Struggle #2: Managing Inconsistent Income
One month, you’re closing back-to-back deals. The next, you’re staring at your CRM wondering if anything will convert. Feast-or-famine cycles are the norm for many agents, especially early on.
That’s why part-time or referral-only models are smart entry points. They let you build experience and pipelines without risking financial collapse.
At Realty Hub, our agents have the freedom to pivot, grow when the time is right, or scale back without getting buried in overhead.
Struggle #3: Balancing Freedom and Structure
“Be your own boss” sounds great, until you’re staring down an empty calendar wondering where the time went.
Agents who succeed long-term treat real estate like a business. That means using CRMs to track leads, blocking off prospecting time every week, and building workflows around showings, listing prep, follow-ups, and paperwork.
Tools won’t save you, but smart systems will. The best agents we’ve worked with are calendar-driven, leverage templates for repeatable tasks, and measure every input (calls, emails, ads) like a marketer, not just a salesperson.
Struggle #4: Dealing with Difficult Clients
If you work with people, you will run into conflict. Some buyers will second-guess every decision. Some sellers will fight your pricing advice. And some leads just aren’t ready, no matter how persuasive you are.
The key? Know when to walk away. Not every deal is worth your time, energy, or risk, especially if it threatens your professionalism or peace of mind.
Avoid scope creep by clearly setting expectations up front. Use scripts, set boundaries, and always document communications. Remember: confidence with clients comes from preparation, not bravado.
Struggle #5: Feeling Alone in the Hustle
Real estate is an independent career, but it doesn’t have to be isolating. Unfortunately, many agents suffer in silence when their broker is MIA, their peers are cold, and they’re not sure who to trust.
This is where virtual communities change the game. Find or build a support circle early. You don’t need a big-name brokerage, just people who want to see you win.
How to Decide If Real Estate Is Right for You
Not everyone is cut out for this industry, and that’s okay. Real estate attracts a wide mix of people: corporate escapees, parents looking for flexible work, retirees seeking a second career, and hustlers looking to build wealth. But success doesn’t depend on where you came from. It depends on how you think, work, and handle pressure.
Self-Test: Are You Built for This?
Here’s a short checklist. The more you check off, the more likely this career will suit you:
- I take initiative without waiting for direction
- I can handle rejection without getting discouraged
- I’m comfortable talking to strangers and asking questions
- I enjoy solving problems and juggling multiple moving parts
- I can stay organized even without someone managing me
- I’m okay with unpredictable income for a period of time
- I can teach myself new skills when needed
- I believe in long-term payoff, not overnight results
If most of those sound like you, you’re already ahead of the curve. These traits beat sales experience every time.
Must-Have Financial Setup Before You Start
One of the fastest ways new agents burnout is by underestimating the cost of getting started, and overestimating how quickly the money will come in.
You’ll need to budget for:
- Pre-licensing courses and exam fees
- Marketing tools and materials
- MLS dues and brokerage fees (unless you’re with a flat-fee model)
- Everyday expenses like rent, food, gas, etc.
The $10K Rule: From what we’ve seen, agents who enter full-time with at least $10,000 in savings or a second income stream are much better positioned to survive that critical first year.
If that’s not in the cards, consider a referral-based or part-time model to start building without the full risk.
Part-Time? Referral Only? Full-Time?
There’s no one “right” way to enter real estate, only the one that fits your current life and financial reality.
- Part-Time: Great for parents, side hustlers, or career testers. Just be mindful of slow momentum and limited availability.
- Referral-Only: Ideal for license holders who want passive income without managing transactions. Contrary to what some associations claim, you can legally earn referral income without joining the MLS or REALTOR® groups, especially with brokerages like Realty Hub that support this model.
- Full-Time: Best for agents ready to commit fully, especially in markets with strong demand. Just make sure you’re financially prepared and system-driven.
Ready to Take the Next Step, Without Giving Away Your Paycheck?
If you’ve read this far, one thing’s clear: you’re not looking for fluff. You’re serious about launching or reshaping your real estate career, and you want to do it smart. The pros of being an agent speak to your goals. The cons? You’re trying to avoid falling into those traps.
That’s exactly why we built Realty Hub, to give motivated agents the freedom, support, and financial control they need to succeed on their own terms.
Here’s How Realty Hub Solves the Core Issues Agents Face:
1. Keep More of What You Earn: No splits. No franchise fees. Just a simple flat-fee model: $100/year and $100/transaction. That’s it. You keep 100% of your commission, because you earned it.
2. Work How You Want: Full-time, part-time, or referral-only, we don’t care how you work, only that you’re supported. Our model works whether you’re selling ten homes a year or ten referrals a month.
3. Get Real Support, Without the Micromanagement: You’ll get access to an experienced broker, compliance systems, and a private agent community when you need it. And silence when you don’t. No quotas. No desk time. Just reliable backup.
Is Realty Hub Right for You?
✅ This is for you if…
- You’re a self-starter who values independence
- You’re tired of giving up a big cut of your commission
- You want infrastructure without being babysat
- You prefer lean, virtual systems that just work
❌ This isn’t for you if…
- You want hand-holding, daily meetings, or someone to manage your schedule
- You rely on a big brand name to close your deals
- You prefer high-overhead offices and in-person desk culture
What Life Looks Like After the Switch
Imagine this: You’re running your business from your laptop. You pick your clients, set your hours, and know exactly how much you’ll earn when a deal closes. You’re not weighed down by fees or politics. Your phone rings, and it’s your client, not your broker chasing quotas.
That’s the freedom we’ve built into Realty Hub. And if that sounds like the next move you’ve been waiting to make?
Join Realty Hub and build your business your way.
Let’s help you keep more, do more, and finally run your real estate career like the business it is.
FAQs About Being a Real Estate Agent
“How much can a beginner real estate agent make?”
Answer: It depends on your effort, market, and strategy. New agents typically earn between $15K and $75K in year one, with top performers scaling beyond six figures over time.
“What is the hardest part of being an agent?”
Answer: Consistent lead generation and managing income fluctuations. Real estate rewards persistence and planning, not shortcuts.
“How long does it take to get your first deal?”
Answer: For full-time agents actively working their pipeline, the average is 2–4 months. Some close sooner; others take longer depending on their network and hustle.
“Can you be a successful part-time agent?”
Answer: Absolutely. Many Realty Hub agents thrive part-time or in referral-only roles. The key is staying focused, organized, and realistic about your availability.
“Is joining the Realtor Association required?”
Answer: No. Despite industry pressure, there’s no legal requirement to join. Realty Hub supports agents who want to operate outside the REALTOR® structure and avoid those dues.
“What paperwork do real estate agents handle?”
Answer: Agents handle listing agreements, buyer rep contracts, disclosures, offers, inspection reports, escrow instructions, and more. It’s not just signatures, it’s your legal responsibility.