E
ven as the real estate market faces sluggish sales, many agents remain committed to supporting buyers and sellers through shifting conditions. According to the National Association of REALTORS' 2025 Member Profile, 74% of REALTORS are "very certain" they will stay active in the business for the next two years.

    NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz notes that despite headwinds, existing practitioners are expanding their specialties or focusing on helping clients overcome affordability and mortgage rate challenges. The majority of agents plan to remain in real estate as an active professional, which should pay off when the market turns around: NAR forecasts a 3% increase in existing-home sales by the end of 2025 and a 14% surge in 2026.

    Buyers face significant barriers, with affordability surpassing difficulty finding the right property as their biggest hurdle. The top home-buying challenges are:

    * Housing affordability (25%)

    * Expectation that mortgage rates might come down (19%)

    * Lack of inventory (17%)

    * Difficulty in finding the right property (10%)

    The median gross income of a REALTOR rose to $58,100 in 2024, up from $55,800 in 2023. The typical member completed 10 transaction sides in 2024, holding steady from 2023's numbers.

    Experience continues to pay off for REALTORS, with the typical agent having 12 years of experience and a median gross income of $78,900. Those with more than 25 years of experience saw a significant increase in their median gross income.

    Many REALTORS transitioned from other careers, with most coming from sales, retail, business, or finance. With a median age of 57, NAR members bring deep professional experience and maturity to the table.

    While 70% of NAR members specialize primarily in residential brokerage, many real estate professionals diversify their services through specialties like residential property management, relocation, and commercial brokerage.

    Past clients remain a key source of leads for REALTORS, with 20% of business coming from repeat clients and 21% from referrals. The longer agents stay in the business, the more clients come to them, reducing the need for constant prospecting.

    In a time of inflation, real estate pros are budgeting wisely for business expenses, with total median annual expenses decreasing slightly to $8,010. Technology is also becoming increasingly important for connecting with clients, with many REALTORS using websites and social media to promote their services and reach prospective clients.