There is a myth of gigantic proportions that has eroded the public’s trust in the realtors. The myth is that all realtors are filthy rich because they sell hundreds of homes each year. When the public views the realtor driving a luxury car, dressed immaculately, or frequently dining at posh restaurants, they assume that money is rolling in for these professionals.
The truth is precisely the opposite. In almost every major city in the US, there are hundreds of realtors, but there are a limited number of homes for sale. Selling a home is a significant undertaking that requires time and labor, and there is a limit as to how many homes even a good realtor can sell each month.
Only a small number of realtors sell more than a hundred homes a year, and the majority sell anywhere between 2-10 homes a year. Further, first-year or those just starting as realtors usually sell the least number of homes. Increasing the number of transactions each year depends on many factors like availability, work ethics, ability, dedication, and team back-up.
The fact of the matter is that to sell a home, one has to work for it. Clients do not typically call any realtor out of the blue; they usually interact with someone they trust. For the first-year realtor, this means actively building on leads, aggressively marketing themselves, and developing a solid client base.
With high home prices and a commission rate of 4-8%, the realtor only needs to sell a few homes every month to make a living but to become wealthy; one needs to sell dozens of homes each year. For the lucky realtors who deal with the high-end real estate market, just selling one mansion each year can lead to a good income.
There is a tremendous variation in the number of transactions and income among first-year realtors. Part of the problem is that current data often do not mention if the realtor is working part-time or full-time. Figures ranging from $30,000 to $300,000 are often reported, but the average income for first-year realtors appears to be around $50,000 a year. The lower income is usually due to multiple reasons, which include;
Some first-year realtors are content to make $40,000 a year, but for those who work full time and are dedicated, the income can be 2-3 times the amount. Like any profession, the harder (and smarter) you work, the greater the financial rewards.
The commission for a realtor varies from 4%-8%. While this may seem like a lot of money for selling just one home, what many people do not realize that realtors also have many expenses that have to be paid from the commission, which includes the following:
For example, if a $200,000 home is sold, after deduction of the commission split and other fees, the relator may be left with $4,000-$6,000.
The US’s average home now sells for $250,000; the agent will make about $5,000 per home sold. To earn $50,000 a year, the agent will need to sell about ten homes a year. However, if the agent is involved in the sale of expensive homes that cost over $750,000, then he would easily make $15,000 per home sold. And he would easily make $60K a year by selling just four homes each year at this price.
But if the agent wants to make $100,000 a year, they will need to sell dozens of homes each year. For a novice real estate agent, this is a monumental task. It is important to note that many experienced realtors have been in the business for years, and the competition to sell homes is intense.
In reality, the first-year realtor may sell 2-5 inexpensive homes and end up with a total income of about $30,000-$40,000 a year. Besides selling more homes, the other way to increase the income is to sell expensive homes that cost over a million. Frankly, this can be a daunting task as most sellers of expensive homes tend to select more experienced and skilled realtors.
Realtors do have many expenses, and even though they may gross $100,000 a year, fees may eat away anywhere from $20,000-$40,000. Thus, it is vital to keep track of all expenses. One area to invest wisely is with a trustworthy real estate company because many do not deliver.
Homes & Land has established itself as the premier real estate resource in North America. You’ll find a comprehensive list of homes for sale in the nation and generate bona fide leads. By registering with Homes & Land, the realtor’s contact appears on many listings. When clients browse the homes for sale, the chances are that you may be consulted.