Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more folks have been shifting to remote work, and that includes real estate agents. Even though their job often involves showing properties and interacting with clients, they can still handle their tasks from the comfort of their own homes.
Considering people spend about a third of their lives working, it only makes sense that they should be able to do so comfortably. Real estate thrives on face-to-face interactions but also relies heavily on online communication and social media, making it adaptable to remote work.
With real estate, there’s a lot of flexibility. But is it feasible to run a real estate career from home? Do agents really need to be tied to an office space?
Are There Benefits to Working in an Office?
First off, it’s worth noting that having an office space comes with its perks. Working in an office gives you a clear-cut end to your workday, helping you establish boundaries between work and personal time. While real estate agents need to be accessible to clients, setting limits on call availability can be easier when you’re not working from home.
Studies offer mixed insights on whether productivity spikes or dips when working remotely. So, agents need to understand their own work styles and routines to make the right call. Since real estate pros often craft their schedules, productivity might ebb and flow naturally as they adapt to changing routines.
For certain real estate agents, having an office lends a sense of professionalism. It allows them to channel client communications through a centralized location, avoiding the need to disclose their home address.
Moreover, an office setting facilitates something that can be harder to come by in a remote setup: collaboration and mentorship. If you cherish face-to-face interactions with fellow agents and brokers, being in a shared space makes it simpler to tap into this support network on a regular basis.
Office Work is Less Popular Now — Agents Are No Exception
Given all that, the truth is, that much of a real estate agent’s job happens out in the field. For many, shelling out for a dedicated desk might not outweigh the benefits, especially if you’re adept at managing your time, scheduling networking events, and setting up a comfortable workspace at home for computer tasks.
Furthermore, numerous businesses are cutting down on brick-and-mortar locations to save money, particularly in cases where digital interactions dominate. While real estate brokerage offices have long been the norm, it’s becoming more probable that other professionals will stick to work-from-home setups, making a traditional real estate office less common.
Real estate agents can work from just about anywhere with the right discipline and drive to succeed. Now, let’s dive into the perks of having a real estate career sans office.
Why Working From Home Works For Agents
Working from home definitely has its perks, especially for real estate agents whose schedules often vary day by day. With nearly half of all American workers now working from home full-time, agents have the tools, support, and evolving norms to create the ideal work-from-home setup.
One significant advantage of working from home for real estate agents is the time saved on commuting. Overall, Americans who work from home save a staggering 60 million minutes every day by cutting out commutes. For real estate agents, skipping that extra trip to an office
can be a huge time-saver, especially when they’re juggling visits to multiple properties in a week, sometimes even in a single day.
The flexibility of remote work allows agents to adapt to a career where hours fluctuate based on client needs. With a solid work-from-home setup at your fingertips, you can block out time to handle online marketing, emails, and phone calls as needed throughout the week. Then, you can coordinate your physical visits and take control of the hours you work — even if they don’t align with a traditional 9-to-5 routine.
Plus, consider how much more comfortable you feel when you work from home. Comfortable clothes, access to your kitchen, and more time for family interactions are all quality-of-life bonuses remote workers appreciate. Master distractions and commit to a consistent schedule, and working from home can be an enjoyable, customizable experience.
Real Estate Agents Don’t Need to Work From an Office
You’ll have to decide which environment works best for you in terms of productivity and feasibility. Any place where you can effectively work can be your “real office,” whether it’s at home or in a building 30 minutes away.
Many real estate agents are likely to stick with work-from-home routines, especially as remote work technology tools keep getting better. Creating a routine that helps you manage the flexibility of a real estate career and stay focused, regardless of your location, will be crucial for ongoing success.