If we can talk you out of becoming a Realtor, then we saved you a bunch of trouble. If we can’t, then you were going to do it anyway and you are committed.

The Real Challenges Real Estate Agents Face

Let’s start with the darkest part of being an agent. According to Psychology Today, real estate professionals face a significant risk when they show homes to strangers. Every meeting with a client means trusting somebody new.

An agent who sold a client a home sight unseen was later shot and killed by the client who was displeased with the new home.

Now to the stuff that keeps agents up at night

The real estate agent listed that there was fill dirt on the property. The disclosure said there was fill dirt. The buyer sued because there was fill dirt.

The real estate agent worked with a client for over a year. The client walks into an Open House and writes up an offer with that listing agent. The first agent got nothing.

Bad inspectors making things sound much scarier than they are such as alien-sounding worms that eat through concrete and destroy the house in two years.

Walking into a house with squatters on drugs.

The client not listening to your warnings about an issue and says, “Everything will be fine.” Things end up not fine and the client looks at you and says, “In your professional opinion, should I have done that thing?” When conferring with your colleague they tell you that exact issue is the only reason they were ever sued.

Friends and family don’t help you the first year. Quite often they know you weren’t a Realtor yesterday, and as much as they love you they just can’t bring themselves to use you just yet.

Clients not showing up for appointments.

Lockboxes not opening.

Dogs not being cooperative. And sometimes cats are the worst.

Some people hate Asians, I mean Agents.

Lenders not returning calls, or getting things done as promised.

Agents are the lightning rod for everything that goes wrong. We get the blame and have to try to manage all of the craziness that happens in the middle of a transaction.

A real estate agent had to change his 20-year-old team name after the state changed the rules on naming to keep the public from being confused on who is a team and who is a brokerage.

Getting dropped by your brokerage because your parody video didn’t sit well with the public.

The majority of agents have bought a washer/dryer or refrigerator because they left it off of the offer or addendum.

Dealing with sellers not moving out on time or buyers moving in early.

Your client dies or becomes incapacitated during the contract.

Other agents yelling at you to control your clients because they don’t have any control of their clients or the situation.

People threatening to sue you.

Clients lying about their finances, their schedule, and just about everything.

Forgetting to add the washer and dryer to the sales agreement and buying new ones for your buyer.

Working as a real estate agent involves facing a variety of challenges and unexpected situations. From addressing safety concerns to navigating legal issues and fostering strong client relationships, Realtors must stay prepared and adaptable. Gaining an understanding of these challenges not only strengthens your resilience but also provides valuable insights into the industry’s complexities. By staying informed and learning from others’ experiences, you can confidently tackle the real estate profession and achieve greater success.