Episode 23 - The Myth of Real Estate Teams: What No One Tells You
For years, I thought building a team was the next step.
The only step, really.
You grow your business, you start a team, you scale. That’s what everyone says, right?
But what if I told you that’s not the only way, and for many agents, it’s actually the wrong way?
Let’s talk about the real truth behind real estate teams, why the pressure to “build one” is everywhere, and what you actually need to grow a profitable, sustainable business that doesn’t take over your life.
Because here’s the thing: looking successful isn’t the same as being profitable.
Where This Pressure to Build a Team Comes From
Let’s be honest: real estate loves a glow-up.
We see agents on Instagram rebranding as “groups” or “teams,” even when it’s just them with no assistant, no support, and no systems. I watched this happen a decade ago in my own market, everyone suddenly had a team name, even if they were literally a team of one.
Why? Because it looked good. Because brokers, coaching programs, and social media make it seem like starting a team is your graduation into being a real business owner.
But here’s the truth:
Most agents are building teams before they ever build a foundation.
They jump to hiring before they’ve documented their processes.
They take on agents before they know how to lead.
And they add overhead before their income is stable.
And then they wonder why their business feels harder, not easier.
Ask Yourself: Do You Actually Want to Be a Leader?
Being a successful real estate agent and being a great team leader are two very different things.
Before you build a team, ask yourself:
Do I actually want to manage people? I’m not talking about clients, I mean employees, agents, assistants.
Am I building something…or am I trying to escape production?
Do I value time freedom or maximizing income? Because team leadership often means less money per deal and more time managing people.
Team leadership requires a whole new skill set. It’s people management, conflict resolution, accountability systems, it’s getting productivity out of other humans who don’t work like you do.
And if you’re the kind of person who gets frustrated when people don’t show up with your level of drive, let me be honest: leading a team might make you miserable.
What You Actually Need Is Leverage
Let’s reframe this.
You don’t need a team. You need leverage.
That starts with figuring out where your time is going. Track it. Look for bottlenecks. And then ask: what could I delegate?
Support can look like:
A transaction coordinator
A showing agent
A virtual assistant
A marketing company
An answering service
All of these give you time back without requiring you to become a full-time manager or build an org chart overnight.
If you build smart systems and plug in the right kind of help, you can scale without the stress of team leadership.
So…Should You Start a Team?
Maybe. But not yet.
If you love the idea of being a leader, building something bigger than yourself, and supporting other agents, amazing. Go for it.
But don’t do it just because someone told you to. Or because you saw a reel that made team life look glamorous. Or because you’re trying to escape a season of your business that just feels hard.
Start small. Test the waters.
Document your systems. Create checklists. Build a business that runs even when you’re unavailable.
Then consider adding a buyer’s agent. Then think about bringing on staff. Then explore the CEO route.
But only if it actually aligns with what you want, for your business and your life.
Define Success for Yourself
You don’t need a team to be successful. You need clarity, boundaries, and support that actually supports you.
If you're profitable, working with clients you love, and not losing your mind or your weekends, you’re winning.
Let that be enough.
Because in this business, there is no one-size-fits-all path. And a Happy Agent is a successful one.
Craving more insights like this? 🎧 Listen to the full episode now!
We’re spilling the truth about real estate teams, why you might not need one, and how to build a business that actually works for you.
