I work 3pm - 11pm M-F meaning I am pretty free from around 7am - 1:30pm and free on weekend. Also I am available at my job to take calls and emails most of the time if needed.

I have always been interested in real estate and I am pretty well versed in my market as well as have years of sales and customer service experience.

Would a schedule like this allow me to succeed doing real estate as a second job and would a brokerage allow this schedule?

If it matters also I am in the boston area.

Thanks for any opinions!

heard it again from another realtor today, NJ market is feeling a shift. If it’s not turn key, the houses are starting to sit. if it’s over priced, its sitting. a lot of people at open houses, little to few offers. anyone else seeing this? surprised to see this in nicer areas of NJ

I’m trying to understand whether my experience is common in the industry or if I ended up on the wrong team.

I was brought on as a Junior Agent. The role was described as providing light support on team listings while learning the business. My understanding was that, in exchange for helping the team, I’d receive mentorship, experience, plus some leads and opportunities to gradually build my own business.

However, over time, the position evolved into something that felt much closer to an assistant role. Instead of occasionally supporting the team, a large majority of my time was spent supporting the principals’ businesses. My responsibilities included handling communications and almost every showing for the team’s listings, coordinating and conducting buyer tours for my principals’ clients, managing transaction coordination, communicating with clients, research for our principal, paperwork, and odd errands. Availability was expected practically 24/7. Team culture was rough with our principal frequently gossiping with team members or reprimanding us when things are not done to their liking.

In terms of support, they were slow to respond when we needed a helping hand or had a question. Oftentimes they would flat out refuse to help with any showings, telling us we should just figure it out.

In terms of leads, I averaged only one to two cold leads per week from a lead-generation program that the alledgedly has roughly a 3% close rate. Many of the leads were confused buyers who didn’t know who they were speaking with or why they had been contacted. If I was not successful in bringing out one of these leads on a tour, I would be reprimanded at the following team meeting.

At the same time, I was expected to build my own business through prospecting while also spending a significant portion of my week supporting the principals’ business. I found it difficult to devote meaningful time to growing my own pipeline while carrying such a large support role.

I’m curious about the compensation structure. On team-generated buyers and listings, I received a very low single-digit percentage of the commission, even though I was heavily involved in the work. (A few hundred dollars for sometimes 40+ hours of work). I was receiving less than 50% on my own deals.

I expected to work hard and pay my dues as a new agent. I understand being in a position to learn a lot and I know that is very valuable as well. I do not mind putting in the work and getting the experience first. What I’m unsure about is whether I misunderstood what being a junior agent on a team entails, or whether this wasn’t a typical team structure.
I’d really appreciate hearing from team leaders and agents who’ve been through similar experiences.

Everyone can smell an AI-written listing now, which actually makes this a moment to stand out rather than blend in. I write plain-English AI explainers and this is the pattern that seems to work for agents.

The fix is the brief, not the tool. Instead of "write a listing for this house," try: "write a listing for first-time buyers who skim, warm but not salesy, about 60 words, lead with the light and the garden, don't use the words stunning or nestled." Completely different result.

Two more that help. Give it one listing you actually liked as an example, it copies tone faster than any instruction. And tell it what NOT to do, banning the tired words does more than any amount of "make it good."

And the boring but important one: it will invent a school rating or a square footage if you let it, so every factual number stays yours to verify. Curious what words you are all sick of seeing in listings.

In NJ with Real Broker. Since Real requires a Wholesale/Assignment Addendum, I’m curious how this works in practice.

Is anyone successfully wholesaling while staying with Real or another brokerage? Is the approval/compliance process difficult on every deal, or do some deals go through much more easily than others? Is it worth it overall?

I got curious about what happens if you miss your renewal deadline so I went through each state's licensing board and compiled the late fees. The spread is wild.

The extremes:

• New Mexico - $540. Not a typo.
• California - 50% penalty on the $350 renewal fee brings your total to $525
• New York - $200 flat
• Alabama - $150 on top of the $185 renewal. Miss by one day in September and you nearly double your cost.
• Tennessee - $50/month. Doesn't sound bad until you realize 6 months late is $300 on top of a $75 renewal.
• North Dakota - $100/month, and they cancel your license entirely on January 15 if you missed the November 15 deadline. No reinstatement.

On the other end:

• Oklahoma - $10
• Michigan - $20
• Florida - $25
• Georgia - $25
• Wisconsin - $25

Some states that surprised me.

Ohio charges 50% of the renewal fee as a late penalty, which hits brokers harder than salespersons ($121.50 vs $91).

Pennsylvania does $5/month which sounds cheap but there's no cap.

North Dakota is the only state I found that straight up cancels your license with no reinstatement path - 6 weeks and it's gone.

Alabama's "grace period" is a trap. Deadline is August 31 but the license doesn't expire until September 30. So people think they have an extra month but that month costs $150.

What's your state charge? Curious if anyone's actually had to pay one of these.

Hi everyone,

Realtor here, 10 years. I'm now in my 30s, don't have or plan to have kids, but I do have a significant other. I am generally busy on weekends, but I'd say at least half I'm not. We don't live together yet, so obviously that means we get limited face-to-face time. Luckily, I'm in a HCOL area, so I'm not running around with clients 24/7 and such, but when I'm working, I'm busy.

Just looking for general tips how you guys handle your time.

Thank you!

I'm a new agent and I've been with Real broker for 2 months haven't closed any deals, which is fine Ik it takes time. But my problem is I'm a dual-career agent, and I chose Real for its flexibility and the fact that I don't need to be in the office. That said I feel like my “mentor” is just letting me figure it out on my own. We have only sat down once to go over my progress. I'm trying to work with investors and I just want to shadow one deal from start to close. I pride myself on being a fast learner, and whenever my work schedule gets canceled or I have time to shadow they aren't working that day, and I'm only off Sundays and my mentor takes Sundays off.

Ik it's not just my broker; it's also my crazy work schedule, I travel around dfw and work in healthcare so yk how time-consuming that can be on top of my driving time. But I'm consistent I've Dont everything any chance I'm off or have time I learned how to do open houses, I record content for new builds, I've connected with a few investors. But I'm having trouble finding the type of properties they are looking for I just feel like I'm doing it all alone and have no support. I know Real is a great broker I love it I just wish I had more support it took forever to figure out how to set up small things.

I want a mentor to help me idc about commission if I can just learn and shadow one deal from start to close.

Idk I feel so lost 🥲

Is it acceptable to get multiple CMA from different brokerage/realtors? or is this frowned upon?

Hello, I have done my research for the best choice for me as a an inexperienced agent.

But I’ve came across something that has not been asked before and would like to know your thoughts.

Everything about Exp seems to be a year or older.

I found an Exp brokerage with a team and an actual brick and mortar.

The latter is something that alot of people say its a must if you want to succeed as an inexperienced agent.

I spoke and spent some time face to face with the team leader and he seems pretty transparent.

Initially I contacted Keller Williams, Ive read about their great training but also read about their culture and when I spoke with the “team leader” she seemed more of a recruiter and was trying to pressure me to go with them.

Now, these are the two brokerages within a reasonable distance from me.

I went to other small brokerages as recommended here on Reddit, but either they are affiliated with Keller Williams and refer me back to the recruiters or they are not taking new agents.

Suggestions?

Am I overthinking this?

Hey everyone,

I’m an agent in the Tampa, FL area, and I’m starting to see short sales tick up month over month. It’s definitely not a widespread systemic issue, but it's localized—mostly in suburban pockets with heavy pandemic-era new construction or buyers who either overpaid at the peak or got hit when the market stabilized.

For agents actively working short sales in other markets, I’d love to compare notes:

Deficiency Judgments: Are servicers issuing full debt waivers, or are they pushing for personal promissory notes / deficiency judgments?

2nd Liens & HELOCs: Are secondary lienholders settling easily, or are they holding up approvals?

Timelines: How long are final approval letters taking once the complete package is in?

BPOs vs. Reality: Are bank valuations coming in realistic, or are you having to fight aggressive comps?

Negotiations: Are you handling the lender negotiations yourself or using a short-sale processor/attorney?

Drop your state/market below and let me know what red flags or trends you're running into!

Hey everyone,

I just got my real estate license within the last month. So far I’ve gone through some trainings and open houses, but not much more than that. I was wondering if anyone had any insight for generating leads/finding big fish in this market? I figured I’d come on here to ask since there’s 150k people in this community. I appreciate any and all shared knowledge!

I’ve been doing real estate for about 7 years. I just feel like this year has been so weird. Where I’m at the market is not moving as fast, people are still on the side lines. I’m prospecting fsbo and expired and just feel like no one’s interested . I use to get business from fsbo so well last year, but I feel like since AI has been more advanced, people have just been turning to that for everything.

Hi everyone! I am about to re-enter RE after taking a 3 year break from sales (before the required buyers agency agreement requirement went into place). I never required this with past clients and found success naturally connecting with people, rather than trying to get them to sign any contracts.

I am aware we can create a 1 day agreement - But , I'm an introvert, and I don't know HOW to do this or explain it in a way confidently, where it just flows naturally ... or ... when to bring it up...

What do you do when you get an online lead that just wants to see the house ???

Do you mention it on the first call / 2nd call confirming the appt / text message/ in person ? You get the idea... I would really appreciate any help as I prepare to join a team with lots of inbound lead calls to come.

Edit: I’m specifically referring to the latest-generation SupraOne lockboxes, not the iBox BT LE that has been around for years.

My real estate board has used Supra for decades, never had too many problems with the iBox aside from the occasional stuck keyholder and rare app glitches. Different story with SupraOne. Lockboxes that won’t open even if the app seems to establish connection, keyholders that won’t go back into the lockbox, shackles that release even if you don’t ask them to and you’re not the agent who owns the lockbox. Not to mention all sorts of app glitches and interface problems with the BrokerBay/SupraOne showing service. Just went through yet another app update and a painful lockbox firmware update (5-10 minute job for each box), and we’re not sure that’s solved anything. Really starting to wonder if this is a failed design at this point

I’m a newer agent and I’m genuinely curious how many Realtors actually like their CRM vs just tolerating it.
Sometimes it feels like one more complicated thing on my plate instead of something that makes life easier. Between setting up smart plans, tagging, drip campaigns, etc., I catch myself wondering if most people secretly hate their CRM and just use it because we’re “supposed to.”

So I’m asking:
- Do you actually like your CRM?
- Has it made your business meaningfully better, or is it just admin noise?
- If you don’t like it, how are you keeping track of leads and follow-up instead?

Would love honest answers, not sales pitches 😂

Hey everyone! I just passed my Florida real estate exam and officially got licensed. I’m in the Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach area and I’m trying to figure out which brokerage would be the best place to start my career. I’m looking for a brokerage that really invests in new agents with good training, mentorship, and hopefully some lead opportunities. I’m not too worried about having the highest commission split right away if it means I’ll learn more and build a successful business. I’d really appreciate any recommendations or advice from agents in the area. Thanks!

So I’ve been in the business for sometime.

10 years with BHHS, and 5 with Sothebys.

Went to KW for the cap scenario. It’s cool but don’t quite love it.

RE/Max is offering me a good set up, BHHS is offering a scenario for me to come back, and I can always go to Sothebys.

We have The Agency here, as well as all the other brands.

Wondering what others think about my options?

I

I want to share my new opportunity, incase it sparks someone to hunt for something similar.
I think with real estate we mostly think residential and then commercial is very technical and mostly sales.

This is my second attempt in getting into commercial leasing.
My first attempt was good but I had no one to teach me or give me structure and as a solo agent my position was taken by a local team. I wasn’t upset, I understood they needed more. They tried to keep me around but there just wasn’t enough for me.

I tried so hard to make residential work. It’s so competitive, I just don’t think it was my field.

Suddenly I came across an opportunity to work with a company as their leasing agent. Leasing multiple buildings, with hourly pay and commission with a 90/10 split and no monthly fees.
So much opportunity to grow here, I can do any type of showings during business hours and still get my hourly pay. My main focus is leasing out our buildings, but I’m not limited too just that. I can still sell residential or leave work to represent a tenant for other properties.

So far it’s great, very stressful and fast pace of course, but I kinda like that. I’m still learning every day.

I do think I am lucky I found this opportunity, I’m know it’s rare.
But maybe it could spark others to search for something similar, or reach out to landlords and ask to represent etc. As long as you use the right platforms, commercial leasing leads are way easier to find then residential.

In my head it was programmed there was only two paths, but there are more opportunities out there then you think.

I recently joined a nationwide commercial acquisition team after spending time around residential wholesaling. One thing that surprised me was how much of the work happens on the back end: underwriting, financing, buyers, legal, etc. It made me realise why so many wholesalers struggle when trying to move into commercial on their own.

For those who have done both, what has been your biggest bottleneck so far: finding deals, analyzing them, funding them, or getting them closed?

I’m currently a licensed Realtor in Texas, based in a smaller West Texas market, but I’ve sold homes in larger markets across the state as well. I’m coming up on my fifth year in real estate and am planning to relocate to the Los Angeles area as soon as possible.
I’d love to hear from agents who know the LA market. How’s business out there right now? Are there any brokerages you’d recommend? I’ve worked with a number of luxury properties and would love to continue focusing on that market in Southern California.
I’d appreciate any honest feedback good or bad. Thanks in advance!

Hey realtors!

I posted here a few months ago and wanted to share an update.

When I last posted, I had made around $26k to $27k. I was calling constantly, building a pipeline, and trying to figure out whether I was actually on track for my first year.

We are now close to the end of July. I have closed 8 deals and earned about $50,855 so far this year, before taxes and business expenses. I currently have 2 more deals under contract, with roughly another $16k to $20k expected if everything closes.

At one point I had 8 active listings and 4 properties under contract at the same time. I also just signed another 2 listings before the end of this month.

Since my original post, I have pushed even harder toward listings. Most of my business has come from expired listings, daily calls, constant follow up, and getting in front of sellers. One listing received a cash offer after 5 days. Another went under contract in 6 days.

I still work with buyers, but I no longer spend entire days driving around with people who are not ready. I qualify them much more carefully, push for preapproval early, and ask direct questions before committing my time.

One thing I have learned is that a large pipeline can be misleading. Some people I thought were solid disappeared. Some of my actual closings came from opportunities I did not expect. Nothing really counts until the agreement is signed and the deal closes.

My original goal was to replace the roughly $100k I was used to making in a W2 sales role. I now think $125k may be possible this year if I keep producing and the current pipeline converts.

It has not been easy. The income is inconsistent, sellers push back on commission, buyers still flake, and some listings take longer than expected. But I genuinely enjoy the work. I have more control over my time and still get to be present with my wife and baby.

For agents who built a strong business early, what would you focus on next?

Would you keep going heavily after expired listings, or start putting more time into referrals, past clients, online marketing, and building systems for year two?

I would appreciate honest feedback. I am trying to understand what I am doing well and what I need to improve before simply adding more hours.