PHOTO: PEXELS
Think real estate is a young person’s game? Think again 👀
New data reveals dozens of Kiwi real estate agents are still working well into their 80s — and despite a cooling housing market, the industry is proving far more resilient than many expected 💥
👴📊 The Numbers That Will Surprise You
According to industry data:
- 👥 42 agents are aged over 83
- 👥 168 agents aged 78–82
- 👥 3,500+ aged 73–77
👉 That’s a huge number of older professionals still actively selling property
💥 Real estate isn’t just a career — for many, it’s a lifelong business
📉 Market Downturn… But Agents Stay
Despite softer housing conditions:
- ~15,900 active real estate licences currently
- Numbers have remained relatively stable
- Over 2,000 new licences issued in the past year
👉 Even with fewer sales, people aren’t leaving
🧠 Why Agents Stick Around
So what’s keeping people in the game?
✔ Flexibility
- Work your own hours
- Scale workload up or down
✔ Independence
- Many operate like small business owners
✔ Relationships
- Helping people through major life transactions
💥 It’s not just about money — it’s about lifestyle
💰 The Money: Not As Easy As It Looks
At a glance, the numbers seem big 👇
- ~$70 billion in residential sales annually
- Roughly $2.1 billion in commission pool
- Average ~$130,000 per agent (before splits)
👉 BUT:
- Commission is shared with agencies
- Income varies massively
💥 Some earn big… many earn far less
⚠️ The Reality: It’s a Tough Industry
Experts warn:
👉 Real estate is NOT easy money
Challenges include:
- Building a pipeline
- Surviving slow months
- High competition
- Emotional, high-stakes transactions
💥 Many new agents leave within a few years
Real Estate Authority chief executive Belinda Moffat. Photo: Supplied
🔄 Why Older Agents Thrive
The longer you stay, the better it gets 👇
✔ Established networks
✔ Repeat clients
✔ Strong reputation
✔ Leadership roles
👉 Top performers often stay for decades
🧠 A “Survivor Industry”
Those still in the game post-COVID?
👉 They’ve already proven resilience
- Adapted to market cycles
- Built sustainable businesses
- Learned to handle downturns
💥 That’s why numbers are holding steady
Lincoln University professor of property studies Graham Squires. Photo: Supplied
🤖 What About AI?
Technology is changing the game — but not replacing it
👉 Real estate is still:
💬 “Belly-to-belly”
💬 Human-driven
✔ Trust
✔ Negotiation
✔ Relationships
💥 Humans still close the deal
🏢 Why Big Brands Still Win
In uncertain markets:
👉 Sellers lean toward trusted names
- Established franchises
- Strong marketing reach
- Proven track records
💥 Trust matters more than ever
🔥 The Bottom Line
Real estate isn’t just surviving — it’s evolving
👉 Older agents are thriving
👉 New agents are still joining
👉 The industry is holding strong
And perhaps most surprising of all…
💥 For many Kiwis, real estate isn’t just a job — it’s a career for life
SOURCE: RNZ