Listener(s) Question: "Should I become a REALTOR?"

Greenville’s real estate scene makes the job look tempting: a flexible schedule, unlimited upside, and a role that seems as simple as matching people to houses. But beneath the low barrier to entry is a high barrier to survival. This episode tackles the question people ask over coffee, in DMs, and sometimes with a hopeful grin: should I become a REALTOR?

What follows isn’t a pep talk or a takedown. It’s a clear-eyed look at what the work actually demands in the Upstate market—why so many jump in, why most jump out, and how to decide if the path really fits.

Should I Become a REALTOR? The Hard Truth Behind the Question

First, the job isn’t “learn a few forms, open a few doors, cash the check.” Real estate school mostly teaches how not to get sued: fair housing rules, steering, no legal advice, and guardrails on conduct. It doesn’t teach the craft of winning clients, navigating emotions, or building a book of business from scratch.

New agents must immediately join a brokerage—but don’t expect a salaried ramp or mandatory bootcamps. Most agents are 1099 independent contractors. Brokerages may offer training, yet they can’t require attendance the way an employer would. That means lots of freedom—and lots of room to drift.

And the market context? In a strong seller’s market with very low inventory, it’s actually a tough time to start. At any given moment, there are more REALTORS than active listings, often by a wide margin. Top producers hold most of the inventory; newcomers compete for what’s left.

The failure math few people mention

Industry shorthand says ~70% of new agents are effectively out within the first year, and roughly ~90% exit by year five. Even if the exact figures vary, the pattern tracks: it’s easy to get licensed, very hard to last. Not because people lack ambition, but because the success equation is brutal:

• On the listing side: You’re vying against trusted, visible pros.

• On the buy side: You’ll show dozens of homes, write offer after offer, and often lose in multiples—earning $0 until a closing happens.

• In the middle: You’re not selling houses; you’re selling your service to people who already know 5–10 other REALTORS.

What Being New Really Looks Like

Most early deals come from your SOI (sphere of influence)—friends, family, colleagues, and people from church or your kid’s team. But your SOI also knows other agents. Ask yourself:

• How many people in your sphere plan to transact in the next year?

• Of those, how many are “safer,” lower-complexity deals they’ll risk with a newcomer?

• Why would they choose you over the five to ten agents they already trust?

If that funnel stays small after honest accounting, the road is steep. If it’s surprisingly large—and you can articulate a real value proposition beyond “I’m available! ”—you have a starting lane.

Why This Seller’s Market Feels Tougher (Not Easier)

Low supply, high demand sound great—until you realize how they play out for a new agent:

• Buyers: You grind for weeks, write strong offers, and still lose. It’s time-heavy, emotionally intense, and unpaid until the very end.

• Sellers: Homeowners want the best listing agent for their biggest asset. New agents rarely get the first call unless it’s a low-risk scenario.

The work compounds: more showings, more offers, more rejections, more emotional management—and sometimes no paycheck at the end of it.

Commission-Only Isn’t Like Other Sales

In many commission roles, the product helps close the deal (cars, insurance, equipment). In residential real estate, you are the product. Your process, counsel, network, and negotiation become the reason to hire you. That’s a heavier lift—especially when your prospect’s cousin just got licensed.

And even when you win the client, the clock to revenue can stretch months: prep, search, contract, inspections, lending, and closing. Meanwhile, your out-of-pocket costs never stop.

The Not-So-Hidden Costs

Becoming and being an agent carries recurring spending and real-time:

• Licensing & education: Pre-licensing, post-licensing, and ongoing CE.

• Brokerage & association fees: Office fees, MLS, E&O insurance, transaction fees, splits or “100%” models with higher fixed costs.

• Entity & admin: Many run an LLC (with all the record-keeping that implies).

• Tools & travel: CRM, signs, lockboxes, photography (if you cover it), gas, tires, miles.

• Networking budget: Coffee, lunches, community events—planting seeds that might sprout 6–12 months later.

It’s common to have several months with no closings. The question isn’t whether you can endure that once—it’s whether you can keep showing up when the pipeline looks thin, and the calendar looks full.

The Emotional Load Nobody Puts in the Instagram Caption

If you’ve ever bought or sold, you know it’s personal. A home is shelter, memory, and often the largest financial asset—all at once. Multiply that by several clients at different points of the roller coaster, and you’ll feel it.

Agents end up wearing a closet of hats: part admin, part “almost-accountant,” part “almost-attorney” (without giving legal advice), part investment translator, and part counselor. You’ll field late-night texts, weekend crises, and holiday “Do you have five minutes? ” calls. Setting boundaries matters—but so does being available when it counts.

How to Test Your Fit (Before You Leap)

Use the exact question people ask: “Should I become a REALTOR? ” Then pressure-test it with specifics:

1. Pipeline reality check: list your SOI. Identify who’s likely to buy or sell in the next 12 months. Put initials next to those who would pick you over existing agent relationships—and write why.

2. Value proposition in a sentence: If your advantage is only “I care more” or “I’m responsive,” you’re competing with everyone. What do you bring that’s concrete and different—local expertise in a micro-neighborhood, renovation fluency, investor math, contract precision, or staging strategy?

3. Runway & Resilience: Could you go several months without a check—twice in a year—and still operate at full intensity? Do you have reserves or a plan to supplement income without sacrificing your time?

4. Networking stamina: Are you willing to meet, follow up, and stay visible long after the “new agent” excitement wears off? Most “quick coffees” don’t become clients for 6–12 months.

5. Stress tolerance: Can you stay steady when a deal unravels on Day 28? When do inspection emotions spike? When you lose three multiples in a row and need to rally your buyer for the fourth?

If those answers trend “yes,” the profession can be deeply rewarding. If they trend “I’m not sure,” it’s still not a no—but it suggests you should build a bridge (savings, mentorship, tighter niche) before burning the boats.

Why Some People Thrive Anyway

It isn’t luck. The agents who last built systems and rhythms:

• They treat lead generation like a standing appointment, not an afterthought.

• They educate clients with clarity, set expectations early, and hold the line kindly.

• They track their market like analysts (supply, absorption, and pricing shifts) and communicate those insights simply.

• They focus—by niche, by geography, by client type—so referrals know exactly when to think of them.

• And they remember this business is human. Empathy isn’t extra; it’s the edge.

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Bottom Line

“Should I become a REALTOR? ” isn’t a yes/no question—it’s a mirror. The license is easy; life is not. In the Upstate’s low-inventory climate, newcomers face stiff competition, commission-only cash flow, heavy emotional labor, and a long lead time from handshake to paycheck.

If you can articulate a distinct value, sustain consistent outreach, stomach dry spells, and serve people when it’s inconvenient, there’s room to build something real. If not, there’s wisdom—and dignity—in deciding this isn’t your lane. Either way, making the decision with eyes open will save you time, money, and guesswork.

Ien Araneta

Journal & Podcast Editor | Selling Greenville