Source: The CE Shop
Do Real Estate Agents Have High Job Satisfaction?
Real estate agents have high job satisfaction rates. According to a study from Market Leader, 60% of real estate agents are more likely to be happy with life relative to workers in other industries. In fact, the study says that 53% of agents are very happy with life compared to only 33% of Americans who could make the same claim. As for happiness in relation to their career, 84% of agents are happy working in real estate. In stark contrast, only 53% of Americans are happy with their career. You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.” That’s one of the main reasons why people get into the real estate business. On top of the money, this industry rewards real estate professionals with the happiness they’ve yearned for since joining the workforce.
So, if you’re looking to get into the real estate industry, chances are you’ll love what you do. Read on to learn more about why agents are some of the happiest people in the workforce.
Earning Potential
The earning potential enjoyed by full-time real estate agents is the main reason people want to get into the industry. But those meaty real estate commissions aren’t handed out to just anyone; you have to prove yourself. If you work hard to make yourself known as a local expert, build your network, and pick a specific area in real estate in which you specialize, you will increase your earning potential. After all, successful real estate agents and REALTORS® who buckle down and work hard earn significant paychecks. And, yes, their annual salary can fall in the six-figure range.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® member profile, “REALTORS® with 16 years or more experience had a median gross income of $75,000 — down from $86,500 in 2019. Compared to REALTORS® with 2 years or less experience that had a median gross income of $8,900 — a slight decrease from $9,300.”
Work-Life Balance
Another huge perk to working in real estate is the flexible schedule. As the country continues to evolve and work-life balance becomes more and more important to people, many seek the flexibility and balance afforded by a role in real estate. In most instances, real estate agents make their own schedule and work environment. The real estate business allows for a diverse schedule, and some agents even work part-time. Work-life balance is critical to your success and earning potential in real estate, and having that flexibility is a major reason that so many agents are happy with what they do for a living.
Helping People Make Life-Changing Purchases
When you get into residential real estate, you’re guiding people through one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. If you work with first-time buyers, you’re helping people make memories that will last a lifetime with their new home — so the work you do matters. Whether you’re an entry-level Sales agent or veteran Broker, finding that perfect property for your client never gets old. It’s powerful when the last document is signed and you hand them the keys to their new house. The home is a sacred place for families where countless memories are made, and your work helped make that possible. No wonder so many agents are happy with what they do. When you add the emotional investment with the flexibility and earning potential offered by the real estate industry, it’s a grand slam.
Did You Know?
The satisfaction with a career in real estate isn’t just measured in happiness or income potential. You can also measure career satisfaction through industry retention rates. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, an average REALTOR® has eight years of experience — meaning people stick around the real estate business.
Continuous Learning
You never stop learning when it comes to real estate. If you ever feel you know everything, you don’t. In order to maintain your real estate license, you must complete Continuing Education (CE) on a regular basis. Staying educated helps agents to remain engaged and up to date with both the overall industry and the market(s) in which they practice. Plus, learning new things throughout your real estate career is exciting!
Career Growth Opportunities
Not only do real estate professionals enjoy flexibility in terms of work-life balance and their working schedule, but they also have incredible flexibility related to their desired career path. Unlike other industries, you’re not locked into just being an agent after earning your real estate license.
There are so many growth opportunities in real estate, including but not limited to becoming an appraiser, a Broker, getting into commercial real estate, or stepping into a real estate investor role. When you have so many different career paths from which to choose, your day-to-day work becomes less burdensome, reducing your potential for burnout, and thus leading to higher retention in the industry.
Be Your Own Boss
Who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to be your own boss? Being able to set your schedule and priorities has many office workers looking up how to earn their real estate license. Think of the most common complaints from your career — how often is the boss at the nucleus of your career negativity? It’s a common problem. So become your own boss. In real estate, you can make that happen, especially when you become a real estate Broker. Of course, it takes time and dedication to reach that point in your career, but even agents who work in brokerages largely maintain their autonomy and independence. And when you do get to the point where you can work on your own and no longer hang your license at a brokerage, talk about freedom!
Active Work Life
One of the best aspects of real estate and why most agents are so happy with what they do is that every day is different in this business. You will constantly be at new open houses and fresh properties working with new clients. You’re always on the go. If you ever get bored in real estate, you’re not doing it right. This is not a boring career. In fact, you’ll be so active that your real estate career could also take care of your daily workout since you’ll be taking so many steps over the course of a day.
There are a plethora of reasons why real estate professionals are so much happier in their role than other workers. From the industry flexibility to the focus on continual improvement through education, real estate offers individuals the ability to structure their lives in ways that typical office jobs can’t. If you’re looking to boost your career satisfaction, consider joining the real estate industry today.
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