A newly released industry survey puts some hard data behind the shift many agents have been sensing: higher income potential, yes—but also higher dissatisfaction with the profession and its institutions. The survey, conducted by Redfin in partnership with Ipsos, focused on 500 non-Redfin agents who closed at least one deal in 2024. Among its most striking findings: while nearly 30% of agents reported earning over $100,000 last year, only 21.2% would recommend real estate as a career. And over half now say they hold an unfavorable view of the National Association of Realtors (NAR)—up sharply from just 19% the year before.
As the chart below shows, more agents are getting deals done. In 2024, 72.2% closed more than five sales, up from 63% in 2023. Incomes rose in step, with 58% earning over $50,000 compared to 49% the prior year. But performance isn’t the whole picture. The Redfin survey highlights growing pressure from commission negotiations, uncertainty about brokerage support, and sharp disillusionment with NAR following last year’s $418 million settlement. Nearly four in ten agents say those changes have already hurt their business, while over half report more clients are trying to haggle commissions. It all adds up to a real disconnect: the deals are getting done, but confidence in the industry’s leadership is slipping fast.