Updated: August 2022

From the outside looking in, a career in real estate can often seem luxurious. How can it not?

Every day we’re exposed to HGTV’s power-couples flipping a house in less than a month, the stars of Million Dollar Listing hitting a commission jackpot, and countless Instagram posts of agents relaxing during the weekday. Really, who wouldn’t want to be a REALTOR®?

But in life, things aren’t always as they seem. In fact, very few new agents realize just what they’re getting into. For anyone who is thinking about taking the real estate plunge, here are five cold hard truths about a career in real estate.

The hours

Sure, not having to work 9–5 or head into the office on a daily basis can seem pretty awesome. But often, being in the office makes you more productive. There are far less distractions in front of your computer than there are within your household. Also, agents are notoriously busier during the summer and on the weekends. This means that you will more than likely have to skip some quality relaxation and family time.

Self-motivation

In real estate, no one is forcing you to do anything. You work for yourself. This is great if you possess an immense amount of motivation. But there isn’t somebody in front of you dangling the proverbial carrot; you have to hold it for yourself. So if you have your sights set on a certain number of closings or a specific monetary figure, you better get to work.

Prospecting

One of the most frustrating aspects of real estate is prospecting. Many think that they’ll do some marketing here and there, and pick up clients in no time. However, this can’t be further from the truth. Prospecting takes hours upon hours of hard work. It’s putting yourself out there time and time again, but getting very little in return.

Lack of a consistent income

Many assume that real estate and a lucrative income go hand-in-hand, but large commission checks don’t come for free. You have to be willing to put time, your own money, and commitment into your career. You must go through many disappointing battles to eventually come out victorious on the other side. Be prepared for the worst, and know that slow and steady wins the race.

The unknown

The sky is the limit, but how do you feel about not knowing when and/or how you’ll get to the top? We’ve been conditioned to fear the unknown. A career with so many variables as real estate can be terrifying. Believing in yourself and truly feeling that you can overcome any obstacle that is thrown at you goes a long way in real estate.

Real estate agents are a rare breed. It takes the strongest of the strong to succeed. Some people know that they have what it takes before taking the dive, while others struggle to find it after they’ve already sunk. Keeping these five truths in mind will help prepare you for the daily grind.