Any other Realtors that started in 2021? How’s it been for you?

[K F.]

Last January my husband and I started out as full time Realtors. Right off the bat we got 2 listings so he quit his day job and we hit the ground running. Since then we’ve had only a couple more closings from buyer transactions. We want to be listing agents, though. This market has been SO hard to start in, has anyone else experienced this too?

We do at least two open houses every weekend, we pass out professional flyers, we’ve contacted our sphere of influence, we tell everyone we meet we’re Realtors...it seems like we’ve done everything! We’ve had multiple people ghost us, which has been disappointing, and two people say they want to list with us and then go with other people. Our savings are running out and we’re feeling hopeless. What have other people done that works to get more business? Please tell me it gets easier!

[Russell Brazil]

The industry has an 87% failure rate, which is right in line with the 90% failure rate for small businesses.

Becoming a real estate agent should be looked at as no different than starting any other business. Most businesses lose money the first 2 years they are open, then eek out a profit in year 3 before settling into profitablity. 

You need to start spending say 4 hours per day on lead generating activities. If you are not good at lead generation, then join a real estate team.