Pros and Cons of Being a Real Estate Agent

Thinking about a career in real estate? When people picture agents, they often imagine glossy open houses, quick commissions, and a flexible schedule—but the reality mixes deal-making with long hours, client management, and steady hustle. 

This post lays out the pros and cons of being a real estate agent so you can make an informed choice. We’ll cover the biggest benefits—like flexibility and uncapped earnings—alongside real challenges such as irregular income, startup costs, and the day‑to‑day demands of client work, so you know what to expect before you dive in.

The Biggest Benefits of Being a Real Estate Agent

A real estate career offers advantages you rarely find in traditional jobs—especially if you value independence, flexibility, and income growth. 

One of the biggest benefits of being a real estate agent is the ability to control your schedule. You choose when to work, how much to work, and the type of clients you want. This flexible work schedule attracts people who want more balance, whether they’re parents, career changers, or entrepreneurs at heart.

Your income potential isn’t capped, either. Because agents work on a real estate commission structure, your earnings grow with your skills, consistency, and lead-generation efforts—not with your hourly rate. If you’re driven, this industry rewards you quickly.

There’s also real fulfillment in the work itself. According to the National Association of Realtors, in their article Benefits and Considerations of Being a Real Estate Agent, one key advantage is “you can make dreams come true” by helping buyers achieve homeownership—a meaningful benefit beyond income. 

If you enjoy connecting with people, solving problems, and taking ownership of your results, real estate gives you a career where your effort truly matters.

The Disadvantages of Being a Real Estate Agent

Real estate is a rewarding career, but it’s not effortless. The disadvantages of being a real estate agent usually appear early on, when you’re still building a client base and adjusting to the pace of the industry. 

Income can fluctuate—especially for beginners—because everything depends on activity, skills, and market conditions. If you prefer predictable paychecks, this adjustment may take time.

Your schedule, while flexible, also includes evenings and weekends. Clients often want showings after work or on Saturdays, so you’ll need to stay adaptable. 

There are also upfront costs: licensing, marketing, MLS fees, and joining a brokerage are part of the journey.

Here’s the good news: these challenges become manageable when you have proper training, the right prep tools, and strong systems from the start. The sooner you build confidence and knowledge, the sooner the “cons” begin to fade, making room for real career momentum.

Exam Essentials for Aspiring Agents

Before diving into the business, you need to pass your licensing exam, for which you usually need to meet a minimum age, complete required education or experience, pay application fees, and handle other state‑specific steps. 

Overwhelming as it may seem, the process gets much easier once you understand your state’s exam requirements and the full licensing steps—check Lexawise for a detailed, state‑by‑state breakdown of exam requirements.

Topics

• A national portion covering real estate principles, contracts, agency, property ownership, and real estate math.
  
• A state-specific portion covering licensing laws, disclosures, property regulations, and agency requirements.

Format

• 100–150 questions depending on your state
  
• A passing score around of 70–75%
  
• Timed testing conditions, often 2–4 hours
  
• Multiple-choice format, no essays

Start by learning your state’s specific requirements, then build a study plan that covers both the national and state sections. Practice under timed conditions, aim higher than the 70–75% pass line, and use realistic mock tests to track progress. 

With a clear timeline and reliable resources like Lexawise, the process becomes manageable—begin early and stay consistent. Keep your goals in sight and trust the work you put in; every small win brings you closer to the license and the career you’re building.

Why Future Agents Trust Lexawise for Exam Prep

Choosing the right study platform can determine whether you pass quickly or spend months retaking the exam. Here’s why Lexawise stands out as one of the most effective tools for future real estate agents:

• The Largest Question Bank Available: With more than 4,500 state-specific practice questions, you get constant variety and never repeat the same recycled questions found on other platforms.
  
• Progress Tracking That Shows You When You’re Ready: Our platform doesn’t just give you quizzes—it shows you exactly when you’ve mastered each topic and when you’re exam-ready, so you study with purpose.
  
• Your All-in-One Study Hub: Flashcards, unlimited tests, topic quizzes, animated videos, audio lessons, and eBooks—all in one clean, organized platform. You choose how you learn.
  
• Real Exam Simulation: Timed mock tests match the exact format of your state exam, helping you train under real pressure so test day feels familiar—not scary.
  
• Auto-Saved Progress for Busy Schedules: You can start a session anytime and pick up later without losing your progress. Perfect for people balancing work, school, or family.
  
• Always Updated: We use updated questions and materials based on the latest real estate laws and exam changes, so you never waste time studying outdated content.
  
• Modern, Fast, Easy-to-Use Platform: Designed to look great and run smoothly on any device, including dedicated apps for both iOS and Android.
  
• Support That Actually Helps You: Our expert team guides you throughout your prep, answers questions, and keeps you motivated all the way to exam day.

Our features are designed to help you prepare for your exam as easily and efficiently as possible. Start using our exam prep to study smarter, close gaps faster, and move toward exam day with purpose.

What to Expect as a Real Estate Agent Day-to-Day

If you’re wondering what to expect as a real estate agent, think of your days as a mix of relationship-building, marketing, problem-solving, and negotiation.

Morning hours may start with checking leads, following up with clients, planning showings, and preparing listings. Midday often includes appointments, property tours, networking, and market research.

Behind the scenes, you’ll work with contracts, disclosures, emails, and scheduling. Depending on your brokerage type—traditional split or 100% commission brokerage—you may decide how much to invest in tools, coaching, and marketing.

The variety keeps the job engaging. You’re not tied to a desk. You’re constantly interacting with people, touring homes, learning new strategies, and improving your approach. Once you master the basics, your days become more predictable and far more rewarding.

This features combo ensures your practice aligns with the actual exam, increasing your chances of passing.

Is a Career in Real Estate Worth It?

A survey by Career.io reported that real estate agents have the highest job‑satisfaction rating among 50 common careers, which says a lot about the day‑to‑day rewards of the work. Many agents enjoy the people side—building relationships, helping clients through big life decisions, and running a business that fits their lifestyle. 

Income can improve as your network and experience grow, since earnings are tied to the number and size of transactions, but it’s not guaranteed overnight. Specializing, getting strong training, and learning to market yourself usually speed progress, and reinvesting in tools, education, and marketing is a normal part of building a lasting practice.

The most noticeable growth often comes between years one and three, once systems, referrals, and habits are in place. If you want a career where your effort, people skills, and consistency matter, real estate can be a truly rewarding path.

Conclusion

Choosing a career in real estate comes down to priorities and personality: it offers flexibility, relationship-driven work, and uncapped upside, but also requires resilience, self‑management, and an appetite for uncertainty. 

Weigh the rewards and trade‑offs honestly, test the day‑to‑day by shadowing an agent, and run simple financial projections to cover startup and slow periods. If you decide to move forward, treat the business like one: build systems, invest in training, and use reliable prep tools to get licensed efficiently. 

Small, consistent actions—timed practice, focused skill building, and steady lead generation—compound into momentum. Ultimately, real estate rewards persistence, people skills, and smart planning; with clear expectations and the right support, it can be a highly satisfying and sustainable career.