Real Estate Agent
Finance, Banking & Insurance
Develop, buy, sell, appraise, and manage real estate.
What Real Estate Agents Do
Develop, buy, sell, appraise, and manage real estate.
Common Tasks
Real Estate Brokers
- 1Sell, for a fee, real estate owned by others.
- 2Obtain agreements from property owners to place properties for sale with real estate firms.
- 3Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers over property prices and settlement details and during the closing of sales.
- 4Generate lists of properties for sale, their locations, descriptions, and available financing options, using computers.
- 5Manage or operate real estate offices, handling associated business details.
What You'll Learn
Types of Real Estate Agents
Work Environment
Locations
- • Real estate brokerages
- • Property management offices
- • Apartment and condominium communities
- • Commercial real estate offices
- • Client homes and property sites
Schedule
Schedules often include evenings and weekends and can vary week to week based on client needs, showings, and closing deadlines.
Physical Demands
Work is mostly sedentary with significant time sitting, phone/computer use, and driving between properties. Expect moderate walking and standing during showings, inspections, and site visits, with generally low heavy-lifting demands.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 998,300 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Population growth, household formation, and ongoing turnover in housing can keep demand steady for agents, brokers, and property managers. More rental and community-association properties also increases the need for professionals to manage budgets, maintenance, and compliance.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Potential for high earnings through commissions and bonuses
- • Varied work with frequent client interaction and site visits
- • Transferable business, sales, and negotiation skills
- • Opportunities to specialize (residential, commercial, property management)
- • Pathway to self-employment or brokerage ownership
Cons
- • Income can be unpredictable and tied to market conditions
- • Evenings/weekends and last-minute schedule changes are common
- • High time pressure around offers, deadlines, and closings
- • Requires strong customer service with difficult negotiations at times
- • Licensing, fees, and ongoing continuing education may be required
Common Questions About the Real Estate Agent Trade
Ready to Get Started?
Not Sure This Trade is Right?
Take our free career quiz to discover trades that match your interests and skills.
Take the Career Quiz