By Mike Bodeen · 11 May 2026
One Huge Upside of a Real Estate Career
Last week we looked at the average demographics of a Realtor* and their compensation. We saw that statistically; an American real estate agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and that the “average” real estate agent in America is a white 49-year-old woman, with some college, who works for a large real estate company in California earning a gross income of $55,000.
This week I want to bring in the personal, looking at a huge personal benefit of a career in real estate. Next week, we’ll look at the future of the American real estate agent and the myriad challenges that lie ahead in the not-too-distant future.
A career in real estate can often bring great income one year, and not-so-great the next. Squirrel types who prepare well, do well. But what I’ve appreciated over the years is flexibility with time.
The personal side is best summed up from this note I received this past week from Linda, a dear fellow Realtor in Colorado, referring to last week’s SnapShot:
“Hi Mike! I remember the times I’d look at my husband (as I was pulling my hair) and the conversation went like this: Me “Whose idea was it for me to get into this business?” Ken “Yours Dear.” Me “Oh, damn.” I was blessed to have had the flexibility while Ken was fighting cancer & had been successful enough to take 6 months off after he died to recover from the exhaustion & grief & get my head & life back together. I also had the side gig of being an EMT during those 2008-2012 years. I still teach CPR, First Aid, etc. & am semi-retired. I enjoy your weekly newsletter & hope you & your family are well.”
Linda’s heart felt comment, really sums up the huge upside to our business – the flexibility of time! Yes, there have been those days where it’s early morning till late at night, with restless sleep in-between, but often, the freedom to schedule time off for family and friends is awesome – assuming you do it!
Real Estate’s flexibility also allowed me to pursue a passion with publishing. Back in the early 90’s, when the real estate market in California was slow, I started a tabloid in Truckee, California called “Our Town Truckee.” It began with a real estate emphasis but soon evolved into a community publication. I loved that. I could still work at real estate and do “Our Town.” It was fun and challenging, even though it ended up costing me personally and financially. But I have no regrets!
Perhaps you or someone you know is considering “getting into real estate.” If so, feel free to have them contact Jonathan or I to give them an honest assessment of their chances.