Part 12/18:
As deal volume diminishes—many agents closing only one or two deals annually—their financial strains intensify. Some are borrowing money to cover license dues, financing marketing efforts out of pocket, or scaling back on advertising. Others are forced into part-time work, driving for Uber or working retail shifts to make ends meet. A disturbing number are simply letting their licenses lapse, unable to sustain the financial drain.
Most distressingly, many mid-career agents who once relied on stable income now find themselves on the brink, with some earning less than $30,000 annually or closing zero deals. The industry narrative is shifting from one of easy commissions to one of survival against mounting costs and shrinking opportunities.