Have you ever considered a job in real estate? Depending on the city that you live in, real estate can be a booming industry. We’ve all seen real estate agents driving around town in their fancy cars with their faces plastered on billboards. Seems like a pretty good gig, doesn’t it? But have you ever stopped and wondered: is real estate a stressful job? I’ve done a little research and here is what I’ve found.

Like any job, real estate can be stressful. Working for sales and commission is never easy and there is the potential to go weeks or even months without closing a deal. The potential for a high income is there, but with that potential comes added stress and a lot of pressure to succeed. 

I think that when a lot of people are looking to get into real estate, they do not realize how much work it can be. Most of us just think about driving from open house to open house. How hard can it be to talk about a property to buy or sell? When it comes to real estate, it takes a lot of hard work to get to reap the rewards of the profession. 

Is Real Estate a Stressful Job?

When I say working in real estate, I’m generally talking about being a real estate agent. There are other jobs in real estate that might not be as stressful. But for the most part, this article is going to be discussing how stressful it is to be a real estate agent. 

So is real estate a stressful job? It is a demanding job that requires you to always be on call. Most real estate agents do not have a set number of hours they work in a day. They can work ten or twelve hours a day on a regular basis. This is especially true when your client is closing in on a deal. Sometimes these negotiations can go on late into the night. 

The job also requires you to be on the road for most of the day. Sure, you might be in the office for some calls, but most days, you will find yourself driving around town meeting clients and viewing or showing houses. If you don’t like being stuck in traffic, then you might want to consider a different profession. 

What are the Disadvantages of Being a Real Estate Agent?

Apart from the ones I’ve already mentioned? Learning how to deal with people might be the most difficult part of the job. Every client you meet will have a different personality. It is your job to understand their needs and get them the best deal possible. For some people, this is no easy task. Real estate transactions are some of the biggest events in our lives and the way we react in each situation will be different. 

Also, keep in mind that for the most part, you are an independent worker. Depending on your firm, you may have to pay out of pocket for things like benefits. Chances are, your employer will not even offer a retirement plan either.

Another disadvantage is that your success is tied to the economy. In an environment where interest rates are rising, the real estate market tends to slow right down. Interest rates have a direct impact on mortgages and fewer people will be looking to buy or sell. This is completely out of your hands and depending on the severity of the economic downturn can last for months or even years. 

Finally, while some people are made for it, others will find being a salesperson exhausting and stressful. Are you always completely honest? Probably not. Are you okay with this as long as you close the deal and get paid? For some people, this can be a real challenge and one of the most stressful parts of being in the real estate industry. 

What are the Advantages of Being a Real Estate Agent?

It’s not all doom and gloom for real estate agents though. There are plenty of advantages to the job as well. If you’re good at your job, the sky is the limit to how much money you can make, especially in hot real estate markets. Once you are in demand, the deals will keep rolling in and soon you’ll find out just how much money is flowing in and out of the real estate industry. 

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I know I said that real estate agents work long hours, and they do. But there is also the potential to have a very flexible schedule. Real estate agents can make their own schedules and book meetings as is convenient for them. Of course, you do have to accommodate your clients but you usually do not have to be sitting at your desk in an office by 9:00 AM every day. 

Another perk of being a real estate agent? You get an inside track on the best properties. Have you ever met a real estate agent with an ugly house? Probably not! You can also get involved in development deals and really grow your business outside of just residential homes. Commercial real estate can also bring in the major bucks so even though the job can be stressful, there are definitely a lot of advantages to being in the real estate game!

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The Bottom Line: Is Real Estate a Stressful Job?

As with many other professions, real estate is what you make it to be. There are certainly some very stressful aspects to the job. These include dealing with clients, long hours, and always negotiating deals. But on the other side of the coin, there is the potential for very high income, flexibility, and growing your business outside of just residential real estate deals. 

In the end, being a real estate agent can be a great profession as long as you know what you are getting into. With the stress of the job comes a lot of great advantages. If you can handle the stress, being a real estate agent can be a very lucrative job!