2 answers
Alexis
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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What does a day in the life of a Real Estate broker look like?
What does a day in the life of a Real Estate broker look like? How do they start out and what is the average income per year for someone new to the field. Are there any tips you could give to someone starting out? Also what are recommended fields of study for a job like this.?
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2 answers
Tate Osten
8
Answers
Updated
Tate’s Answer
What a day in the life of a real estate broker looks like (realistic snapshot):
Morning (7:30 AM – 10:00 AM) - Check emails from clients, other agents, lenders, title companies. Scan new listings in your area (especially ones relevant to your current clients). Follow up on inquiries - online leads, referrals, open house attendees. Post or schedule social media updates (market trends, property photos, tips). Review calendar: showings, inspections, closings, client meetings.
Midday (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) - Head out to property showings or attend a home inspection. Meet with sellers to discuss pricing strategy and prep the home for listing. Work on Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a potential client. Take photos or video walk-throughs of new listings.
Grab lunch on the road, maybe in the car between appointments.
Afternoon to Evening (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM) - Attend scheduled showings - these often happen after buyers get off work. Negotiate offers, draft counteroffers, respond to client questions in real-time. Meet with new clients for buyer consultations or listing presentations. Coordinate with contractors, appraisers, or staging professionals. Prepare documents for signing or submit them to your brokerage.
Evening (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) - Return calls, finish paperwork, update CRM. Schedule appointments for the next day. Maybe attend a networking event, open house, or just decompress.
Income expectations (especially for new agents) - it’s not a salary - it’s commission-based, and in the beginning, there’s a ramp-up period. Most real estate agents or brokers don’t make much in their first year unless they have strong mentorship, a killer network, or personal funds to support the early months.
First-year average income varies wildly. On average: $40,000 to $60,000/year. Top 10% early agents (with hustle, leads, and market demand) - $100K+; bottom 10%: $0–$20K (Yes, some don’t close anything in year one). Income is entirely dependent on your ability to close deals, which requires marketing, lead generation, negotiating, and constantly expanding your pipeline.
You don’t need a specific degree to become a broker, but some educational backgrounds will serve you well: business/entrepreneurship – great for understanding contracts, marketing, sales cycles; marketing/communications – helps you brand yourself and connect with clients;
urban planning/architecture/design – useful for understanding property structure, zoning, and space; psychology – negotiation, client needs, emotional buying - you’ll use this more than you think; finance/economics – understanding market trends, interest rates, and investment potential.
Get a mentor or join a solid brokerage
Learn to lead generate every day
Invest in a CRM system early
Become an area expert, know your neighborhood
Build online presence
Morning (7:30 AM – 10:00 AM) - Check emails from clients, other agents, lenders, title companies. Scan new listings in your area (especially ones relevant to your current clients). Follow up on inquiries - online leads, referrals, open house attendees. Post or schedule social media updates (market trends, property photos, tips). Review calendar: showings, inspections, closings, client meetings.
Midday (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) - Head out to property showings or attend a home inspection. Meet with sellers to discuss pricing strategy and prep the home for listing. Work on Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a potential client. Take photos or video walk-throughs of new listings.
Grab lunch on the road, maybe in the car between appointments.
Afternoon to Evening (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM) - Attend scheduled showings - these often happen after buyers get off work. Negotiate offers, draft counteroffers, respond to client questions in real-time. Meet with new clients for buyer consultations or listing presentations. Coordinate with contractors, appraisers, or staging professionals. Prepare documents for signing or submit them to your brokerage.
Evening (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) - Return calls, finish paperwork, update CRM. Schedule appointments for the next day. Maybe attend a networking event, open house, or just decompress.
Income expectations (especially for new agents) - it’s not a salary - it’s commission-based, and in the beginning, there’s a ramp-up period. Most real estate agents or brokers don’t make much in their first year unless they have strong mentorship, a killer network, or personal funds to support the early months.
First-year average income varies wildly. On average: $40,000 to $60,000/year. Top 10% early agents (with hustle, leads, and market demand) - $100K+; bottom 10%: $0–$20K (Yes, some don’t close anything in year one). Income is entirely dependent on your ability to close deals, which requires marketing, lead generation, negotiating, and constantly expanding your pipeline.
You don’t need a specific degree to become a broker, but some educational backgrounds will serve you well: business/entrepreneurship – great for understanding contracts, marketing, sales cycles; marketing/communications – helps you brand yourself and connect with clients;
urban planning/architecture/design – useful for understanding property structure, zoning, and space; psychology – negotiation, client needs, emotional buying - you’ll use this more than you think; finance/economics – understanding market trends, interest rates, and investment potential.
Tate recommends the following next steps:
Adriana Predoiu
Sales Operation
6
Answers
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Adriana’s Answer
Hi Alexis!
Being a real estate broker can be super rewarding, but it’s definitely a hustle especially in the beginning. A typical day includes answering emails, calling leads, showing houses, and doing a lot of driving and paperwork. Nights and weekends are usually the busiest because that’s when clients are free.
To start out, you’ll need to take a real estate course, pass your state exam, and work under a licensed broker. After a few years of experience, you can become a broker yourself and run your own office if you want. In the meantime you can search for volunteering or internship programs.
Income-wise, first-year agents often make around \$40K (sometimes less), but it really depends on how many deals you close. Experienced brokers can earn six figures, especially in busy markets.
Tips if you're new:
Find a brokerage that offers good training
Use social media to market yourself early (Youtube, online courses, Facebook, Insta)
Be consistent with follow-ups and networking
Have some savings — commissions can take time
As for school, business, marketing, or even communication can help, what matters most is people skills and determination.
Best of luck!
Being a real estate broker can be super rewarding, but it’s definitely a hustle especially in the beginning. A typical day includes answering emails, calling leads, showing houses, and doing a lot of driving and paperwork. Nights and weekends are usually the busiest because that’s when clients are free.
To start out, you’ll need to take a real estate course, pass your state exam, and work under a licensed broker. After a few years of experience, you can become a broker yourself and run your own office if you want. In the meantime you can search for volunteering or internship programs.
Income-wise, first-year agents often make around \$40K (sometimes less), but it really depends on how many deals you close. Experienced brokers can earn six figures, especially in busy markets.
Tips if you're new:
Find a brokerage that offers good training
Use social media to market yourself early (Youtube, online courses, Facebook, Insta)
Be consistent with follow-ups and networking
Have some savings — commissions can take time
As for school, business, marketing, or even communication can help, what matters most is people skills and determination.
Best of luck!