In the spirit of a public service announcement (PSA), here are 10 reasons you might want to think twice before getting licensed.
Introduction: The Reality Behind the Dream
Thinking about getting your real estate license? Before you start ordering business cards with “Luxury Specialist” in gold foil or practicing your slow-motion walk-throughs for TikTok, let’s hit pause.
Real estate isn’t HGTV, it’s real life. For every beautiful closing day photo you see on Instagram, there’s a trail of late nights, awkward phone calls, emotional breakdowns, and financial uncertainty that rarely gets shown. And while real estate can be an amazing career for the right person, it can also be one of the hardest ways to earn a living if you’re not prepared.
So, in the spirit of a public service announcement (PSA), here are 10 reasons you might want to think twice before getting licensed. If you’re an aspiring agent, consider this your reality check. If you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll probably laugh knowingly—because you’ve lived every single one of these.
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It’s a Numbers Game (And the Numbers Don’t Lie)
Here’s the brutal truth: real estate is about conversations, not contracts. If you want to sell houses, you have to talk to people you know and people you don’t know.
Many new agents hesitate here. They imagine that once they pass the test, the clients will just show up. But the real math is this: if you’re not talking to dozens of people every week, you’re not building a pipeline.
Think about it: can you make a list of at least 100 people you’d feel comfortable calling to ask for business? If that sounds terrifying, this might not be the career for you. Or are you willing to dial 100 strangers just to find one who might want to buy or sell? Because that’s the reality—99 “No’s” before you get to a single “Yes.”
Real estate rewards the agent who embraces the grind of outreach. If you’re not willing to play the numbers game, you’ll always lose.
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Everyone Wants Luxury — Few Actually Get It
When people picture real estate, they think “million-dollar listings” and champagne open houses. But let’s be honest: the luxury market is the hardest one to break into.
Luxury buyers and sellers want experienced professionals, proven track records, and a network of high-net-worth connections. If you’re just starting out, chances are you don’t check those boxes yet. That doesn’t mean you can’t get there, but it does mean your early career will look very different from the fantasy.
Instead of mansions and movie-star clients, you’ll more likely start with first-time buyers, renters, and people with modest budgets. And those deals? They’re often more work, not less. A $200,000 buyer can take as many showings as a $2 million one, but with a tenth of the paycheck.
If you’re only in it for the glam, luxury, and “million-dollar agent” lifestyle, you’re going to be disappointed.
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You’re Starting a Business, Not Getting a Job
Many people approach real estate like they’re applying for a new job. Wrong mindset. Real estate is entrepreneurship. When you get your license, you’re not getting hired—you’re opening a business.
That means you need a budget. You need to treat your money like startup capital. You’ll pay for your license, association dues, brokerage fees, marketing, signs, lockboxes, software, and more. And unlike a salaried job, nobody is cutting you a paycheck every two weeks.
One of the biggest mistakes new agents make is underestimating the cost of starting and sustaining their business. They assume, “I’ll sell a few houses quickly, and it will all work out.” But what happens if you don’t close a deal for six months? Without a plan, you’ll be broke before you even get going.
Treat real estate like what it is—a business venture. Otherwise, you’ll fail like most small businesses do: underfunded and overwhelmed.
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Fear of Rejection Will Break You
Rejection isn’t just part of real estate—it is real estate.
You’ll hear “no” more than you hear “hello.” People will ignore your calls. Friends and family won’t use you. Leads will ghost you. And just when you think you’ve won someone over, they’ll list their house with another agent because “they’ve known them longer.”
If rejection crushes your confidence, this business will break you. The agents who thrive are the ones who understand that rejection is just data. Every “no” is a step closer to a “yes.” Every ignored text is just one of the many you’ll send.
Think of rejection like a workout: it’s uncomfortable at first, but over time it builds resilience. Without that resilience, you won’t last.
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The “Flexible” Hours Are a Myth
Leigh Brown said it best: “The hours are so flexible, you get to work all of them.”
Yes, you technically set your own schedule. But clients want to see homes in the evenings and on weekends. Emergencies happen on holidays. And if you’re not careful, your calendar will run you instead of the other way around.
Here’s the reality: mastering your calendar is both a skill and an art. Without intentional time-blocking and discipline, you’ll burn yourself out. The dream of “freedom” quickly becomes the nightmare of always being on call.
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Boundaries Are Harder Than You Think
On paper, it’s easy to say, “I’ll set boundaries.” In practice, it’s much harder.
Clients will text you at 10 p.m. with “quick questions.” They’ll expect you to drop everything for a showing. Meanwhile, your spouse wonders why you’re still glued to your phone at dinner, and your kids are asking why you’re typing emails during soccer practice.
If you can’t learn to set expectations with clients and with your family, you’ll quickly feel torn in two directions. And here’s the kicker: sometimes both sides will feel like you’re failing them. Boundaries aren’t optional—they’re survival.
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Marketing & Lead Gen Are Not Optional
New agents often assume: “I’ll get licensed, and the phone will just start ringing.” Spoiler: it won’t.
Real estate is a lead generation business first, and a home-selling business second. If you don’t master marketing and prospecting, you won’t have anyone to help buy or sell. Period.
That means learning how to:
- Run ads without wasting money.
- Create content that gets noticed.
- Build relationships online and offline.
- Network in ways that don’t feel awkward or forced.
Until you figure this out, the only thing you’ll hear is crickets.
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The Industry Keeps Changing (Hello, NAR)
Just when you think you’ve got the rules figured out, the industry shifts.
The most recent NAR changes, for example, mean agents can no longer hide behind assumptions. You have to clearly articulate your value. You have to show clients why you’re worth thousands of dollars in commission.
That’s not just about being nice or knowing the MLS. It’s about negotiation skills, marketing strategies, problem-solving, and building trust. If you can’t confidently explain why someone should hire you over 10,000 other agents, you’ll be out of the game.
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The Emotional Rollercoaster Is Real
Real estate will take you from the highest highs to the lowest lows—sometimes in the same week.
Imagine this: you’ve got three deals under contract. You’re feeling unstoppable. Then, one inspection uncovers a foundation crack and kills the deal. Another buyer’s financing falls through. The third client gets cold feet and decides to rent instead. Just like that, your pipeline evaporates.
If unpredictability stresses you out, real estate will eat you alive. Deals fall apart all the time. What matters isn’t avoiding the rollercoaster—it’s learning how to ride it without throwing up.
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Financial Insecurity Charges Interest on Your Emotions
The financial reality of real estate is harsh: there’s no guaranteed paycheck. You can work hard for months and have nothing to show for it until the deal closes.
Living deal to deal takes a toll. It’s not just stressful—it impacts your health, your relationships, and your mental well-being. Financial insecurity isn’t just about money; it’s an emotional tax. And the longer it drags on, the heavier it feels.
If you don’t have the stomach for financial uncertainty, this career will feel more like punishment than freedom.
Conclusion: Should You Still Get/Stay Licensed?
Real estate can be an amazing career—but only if you know what you’re signing up for. If these 10 reasons make you think twice, that’s a good thing. You just saved yourself the cost of licensing, association dues, and months of stress.
But if you read this list and thought, “Yep, I can handle that”—then maybe you are built for this business. Real estate rewards the hustlers, the learners, the ones who embrace rejection and adapt to change.
Call to Action: Build Smarter, Not Harder
One shortcut to building a successful real estate career? Learn from those who have come before you.
At eXp Realty, we believe new agents shouldn’t have to struggle alone. If you want to learn fast, hustle SMART, and build a business that thrives—not just survives—you need mentorship, systems, and a community of people who’ve already walked the path.
If you’re serious about getting into real estate and want to skip years of trial and error, let’s connect. Together, we can build a business that lasts. Also don’t forget to download my FREE SMART Agent Starter Guide!
>>Contact me today to learn more about joining eXp Realty.<<