What Do Real Estate Agents Do on a Daily Basis?
Real estate agents are more than just the face you see during a home showing. Behind the scenes, they’re juggling client meetings, coordinating with inspectors, negotiating contracts, and staying on top of local market trends. Their workdays are a blend of strategy, communication, and problem-solving.
Join us as we dive into the typical—and not-so-typical—tasks real estate agents tackle daily.
What Do Real Estate Agents Do?
Let’s begin by taking a look at some real estate agent responsibilities and real estate agent duties:
1. Communicate With Prospects and Clients
If you've ever worked with or near a real estate agent, you already know there is no "off" button. In this era of instant communication and gratification, real estate agents spend the majority of their time answering texts, calls, and emails from current and prospective clients—at all hours, day and night.
Questions about properties, putting in offers, and scheduling showings are just some of the things clients consistently reach out to real estate agents about. Balancing these calls and emails with in-person meetings is a full-time job on its own.
Still, it's only part of the daily life of a real estate agent. No matter how seasoned you are in your career or how many people you have on your team, you will still be battling constant communication with your team members and clients—this doesn't get any easier with tenure.
2. Review Current and Potential Listings
If you have clients looking for anything from a single-family home to a condo or commercial building, you will have MLS notifications set and check them regularly. Staying abreast of the MLS ensures you always have new options to show your clients.
Additionally, checking the MLS keeps you informed of any pricing, contract, or market changes. Many real estate agents review the MLS when they wake up in the morning, but the listings are always changing, so it can be beneficial to check them throughout the day.
More experienced real estate agents, or agents with a team, usually rely on junior team members to keep them updated on any listing changes.
However, for those agents who like to be in control, or those who know their clients' needs the best, checking the MLS listing might still need to be part of your routine.
3. Schedule Meetings and Showings
You'll need a schedule that has client meetings, open houses, close dates, and walk-throughs. But beware, nothing is set in stone. Not only will you have to contend with the ever-changing needs and wants of clients, but you'll also have to stay up-to-date with market changes.
Since homes and properties hit and fall off the market every minute, you'll need to make quick adjustments to your schedule to accommodate everyone. Some good news for more experienced real estate agents or those with team members is that you can delegate your schedule to someone else—just make sure to double-check it!
4. Generate a Constant Stream of Leads
Real estate agents don't make money unless they have clients, so agents need to prioritize cultivating a list of leads. Whether this list of potential new clients comes from your marketing efforts, word of mouth, or returning clients, you always need to know where your next sale is coming from.
If a majority of your leads come from marketing efforts, you will have to spend time marketing your services every day—whether that's through a website, social media, email, or direct mail.
While some agents choose to manage their marketing, others prefer to hire an agency. Of course, you can hire a marketing agency or consultant at any point in your career, but you'll need the funds to cover it, which often only comes after real estate success.
5. Play the Middleman
Frequently, you're going to play the role of a middleman for your clients, mortgage companies, and other real estate agents. This requires you to be great at problem-solving and negotiating. While your primary concern is your clients, you don't want to make any enemies while you're trying to find them the home of their dreams.
You have to play the emotionally neutral participant to keep your client's emotions in check.
No matter how advanced in your career you are, there's no getting out of this role. It's just naturally part of the real estate agent job description.
However, the longer you're in the industry, the easier it is to play the middleman. When you're an industry veteran, this will seem more second nature than anything, and you won't even think about doing it every day.
FAQs: Real Estate Agent Career
If you want to learn more about a career as a real estate agent, here are the top FAQs to help you learn more.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent?
The timeline to become a real estate agent varies but typically takes 4 to 6 months. The process includes completing pre-licensing education, which can range from 40 to 180 hours, depending on state requirements. After completing coursework, candidates must pass the state licensing exam and complete additional steps such as background checks and onboarding with a brokerage.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Real Estate License?
The total cost to obtain a real estate license ranges from $500 to $3,000, depending on the state.
Expenses include:
- Pre-Licensing Education: $200–$1,000
- Exam Fees: $50–$100
- License Application Fees: $50–$250
- Fingerprinting and Background Checks: $50–$150
- Real Estate Association Memberships: $200–$1,000 (optional but recommended)
Additional real estate agent costs may include marketing materials and ongoing education for license renewals.
How Much Does a Real Estate Agent Make?
Real estate agent earnings vary widely based on location, experience, and sales volume. According to Indeed, the average annual salary for a real estate agent in the U.S. is $100,351, with income primarily derived from commissions of 5% to 6% on home sales. Commissions form the bulk of their income, so agents’ earnings depend on the number and value of transactions they close.
What Is the Commission for a Real Estate Agent?
Real estate agents typically earn a commission of 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price, which is split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents. For example, on a $300,000 home, a 6% commission equals $18,000, divided between the agents and their brokerages. This means each agent might earn around $4,500 to $5,400 per transaction after splits with their brokers.
Begin Your Real Estate Agent Career With Agent Campus by 360training
Now that you understand the daily responsibilities, earning potential, and time investment required to become a real estate agent, are you ready to take the leap into this dynamic career? If so, start your journey with a trusted real estate education provider, like Agent Campus by 360training. Sign up for our real estate pre-license training and take the first step toward earning your license.
Already a licensed agent? Stay ahead in the industry with our continuing education courses to sharpen your skills and meet your renewal requirements.
Your success starts with the right training—sign up today!
1. Communicate with Prospects and Clients
If you've ever worked with or near a real estate agent, you already know there is no "off" button. In this era of instant communication and gratification, real estate agents spend the majority of their time answering texts, calls, and emails from current and prospective clients—at all hours, day and night.
Questions about properties, offers on properties, and scheduling showings are just some of the things clients consistently reach out to real estate agents about. Balancing these calls and emails with in-person meetings is a full-time job on its own.
Still, it's only part of the daily life of a real estate agent. No matter how seasoned you are in your career or how many people you have on your team, you will still be battling constant communication with your team members and clients—this doesn't get any easier with tenure.
2. Review Current and Potential Listings
If you have clients looking for anything from a single-family home to a condo or commercial building, you will have MLS notifications set and check them regularly. Staying abreast of the MLS ensures you always have new options to show your clients.
Additionally, checking the MLS keeps you informed of any pricing, contract, or market changes. Many real estate agents review the MLS when they wake up in the morning, but the listings are always changing, so it can be beneficial to check them throughout the day. More experienced real estate agents, or agents with a team, usually rely on junior team members to keep them updated on any listing changes.
However, for those agents that like to be in control, or those who know their clients' needs the best, checking the MLS listing might still need to be part of your routine.
3. Schedule Meetings and Showings
You'll need a schedule that has client meetings, open houses, close dates, and walk-throughs. But beware, nothing is set in stone. Not only will you have to contend with the ever-changing needs and wants of clients, but you'll also have to stay up-to-date with market changes.
Since homes and properties hit and fall off the market every minute, you'll need to make quick adjustments to your schedule to accommodate everyone. Some good news for more experienced real estate agents or those with team members is that you can delegate your schedule to someone else—just make sure to double-check it!
4. Generate a Constant Stream of Leads
Real estate agents don't make money unless they have clients, so agents need to prioritize cultivating a list of leads. Whether this list of potential new clients comes from your marketing efforts, word of mouth or returning clients, you always need to know where your next sale is coming from.
If a majority of your leads come from marketing efforts, you will have to spend time marketing your services every day—whether that's through a website, social media, email, or direct mail.
While some agents choose to manage their marketing, others prefer to hire an agency. Of course, you can hire a marketing agency or consultant at any point in your career, but you'll need the funds to cover it, which often only comes after real estate success.
5. Play the Middleman
Frequently, you're going to play the role of a middleman for your clients, mortgage companies, and other real estate agents. This requires you to be great at problem-solving and negotiating. While your primary concern is your clients, you don't want to make any enemies while you're trying to find them the home of their dreams.
You have to play the emotionally neutral participant to keep your client's emotions in check.
No matter how advanced in your career you are, there's no getting out of this role. It's just part of the job. However, the longer you're in the industry, the easier it is to play the middleman. When you're an industry veteran, this will seem more second-nature than anything, and you won't even think about doing it every day.
Ready to Become a Real Estate Agent?
Now that you understand how time-consuming being a real estate agent can be, are you still motivated to make this a career? If so, sign up for our real estate pre-license training today and take the first step to become a licensed real estate agent.
