Real estate agents are closing more deals and earning more. But they’re also feeling more burned out, underprepared, and uncertain about the future. That’s the picture Redfin’s latest agent survey paints. And it’s one every industry professional should pay attention to.
To be clear: none of the 500 surveyed for this report are Redfin agents.
This isn’t a snapshot of Redfin’s internal culture. It’s a wide-angle look at how full-time agents across the industry are navigating a volatile market—and what they’re thinking as we move deeper into 2025.
Here are the 9 biggest takeaways every agent should know.
Who Was Surveyed (And Why It Matters)
Before we dive in, here’s what you should know about the survey methodology:
- Who: 500 non-Redfin agents across 46 states
- Criteria: Each respondent completed at least one deal in the past year (MLS verified)
- When: December 2024 – January 2025
- How: Conducted anonymously via Ipsos, with a $25 incentive
- Demographics:
- Median age over 50; 36.4% were over 60
- 52.2% were women; 42.8% men; 5% preferred not to answer
- 83.8% work full-time
- Most had 10+ years of experience
These aren’t newcomers; they’re seasoned professionals navigating a market in flux.
1. Top Agents Are Still Winning
Even in one of the toughest markets in recent memory, experienced agents are pulling ahead. They’re closing more deals, making more money, and proving that skills and systems still matter—even when sales volume is down.
- 58% earned more than $50K in 2024 (up from 49% in 2023)
- 30% earned over $100K (up from 22%)
- 72.2% closed more than 5 deals (up from 63%)
Redfin attributes this to a slowdown in new entrants: only 17% of agents surveyed had fewer than 3 years’ experience, down from 28% in 2021.
2. But Over One-Third Still Have a Side Hustle
Don’t let the income numbers fool you. Behind the scenes, many agents are still juggling a second job to make ends meet. That number hasn’t budged since 2023.
This shows that while some agents are thriving, others are still in survival mode. As Redfin puts it: the agents still standing are the ones who’ve learned to hustle and adapt.
3. Agents Are Quick to Switch Brokerages
In this market, loyalty to a brokerage is fading. More and more agents are chasing better splits, better systems, or both.
- 15% plan to switch brokerages in 2025
- 13.4% already switched in the past year
- Of those, 19.4% plan to switch again in the next 12 months
That level of churn tells us something important: agents are being more selective about who they align with. They’re willing to move fast if they’re not seeing value.
The top reason agents are switching? Commission split. Over 78% of agents say it’s the most important factor when choosing a brokerage.
Which brings us to number four.
4. Commission Beats Support
What do agents actually care about when choosing a brokerage? Redfin’s survey makes it clear: for more than half of the agents out there, support matters, but income matters more.
- 55.2% rate brand and reputation as very important
- 54.6% say the same for training/support
- But 54.8% would rather cut back on those services if it means improving their split
For brokerages, that’s a wake-up call. Offering more bells and whistles won’t move the needle if agents feel like their compensation isn’t competitive.
5. Fewer Agents Recommend Real Estate as a Career
Would you recommend this career to someone you care about? For most agents, the answer is no.
- 21.2% would recommend real estate as a career
- 49.8% would not
The gap between those two numbers yields Redfin’s Net Promoter Score of -28.6. This is the lowest value for the past four surveys.
Another way to put this, of course, is that over twice as many agents would not recommend a real estate career to someone they care about.
Why the disillusionment?
Top 3 complaints:
- 42.6% cite unpredictable income
- 37.8% struggle to find clients
- 27.8% deal with rude/unprofessional peers
But it’s not all bad. Most agents still love the freedom and purpose that comes with the job:
- 86.8% value being their own boss
- 76.4% enjoy helping people during life transitions
- 72.4% say relationships with customers are a top benefit
6. Affordability Is the #1 Challenge Agents See Ahead
The affordability crisis isn’t going away—and agents feel it every day.
- 64.2% cite affordability for buyers as the top challenge for the next 5 years
- 42.8% point to lack of inventory
- 42% are concerned about shrinking commissions
According to Redfin, 2024 was the second least affordable year for homebuyers, trailing only 2023. That pressure isn’t just hurting consumers—it’s draining agent morale too.
7. Discrimination in Real Estate Is On the Rise
It’s 2025—and agents are still facing sexism and racial bias from peers and professionals alike.
- 22.4% of agents reported experiencing sexism (up from 18%) — 34.5% of women vs. 8.9% of men
- 38% of non-white agents reported racial discrimination (up from 32%) — 28%+ said it came from other agents or industry professionals
This isn’t a side issue; it’s core to the future of the industry. A more equitable and inclusive real estate culture benefits everyone.
8. Agent Sentiment Toward NAR Is Plummeting
After a year of lawsuits, settlements, and leadership scandals, confidence in the National Association of Realtors is crashing.
- 51% now have an unfavorable opinion of NAR (vs. 19% in 2023)
- 38% say the March 2024 settlement negatively impacted their business
- 54.4% have seen increased commission negotiations since the rule change
While Redfin says buyer commissions haven’t dropped dramatically yet, 51.2% of agents expect commissions to continue declining over the next 12 months.
9. Most Agents Still Back the MLS and Clear Cooperation
Even with recent rule changes, most agents still believe that marketing listings publicly is in the seller’s best interest.
- 74.8% say withholding listings from the MLS is rarely in the seller’s best interest
- 66.2% personally recommend putting all listings in the MLS
- Only 11.2% support eliminating the Clear Cooperation policy entirely
The consensus? The MLS is still the best place to get listings seen. The survey didn’t touch on alternative strategies for marketing such as Compass Exclusive. But whatever strategies you implement in your real estate business, full transparency on the risks involved is paramount.
Final Thoughts: What Agents Need to Know at Q2’s Midpoint
This report is a snapshot of a career in transition. Yes, the best agents are thriving, but many are disillusioned, burned out, and facing mounting challenges, from affordability concerns to climate-related risk.
At BAM, we see this moment as a wake-up call: for brokerages to step up, for agents to sharpen their business strategies, and for the industry to invest in long-term credibility and consumer trust.
As we approach the midpoint of Q2 2025, ask yourself: Are you building a career that can weather the storm—or just waiting for the market to turn?
