Experience and Tenacity Matters to Those You’re Recruiting

by | Aug 27, 2025

The latest NAR Member Profile highlights an important trend.

The industry is getting older and more experienced.

The median age of NAR members is now 57–up from 55 last year, and the median number of years of experience has increased to 12–up from 10.

This shift isn’t just about age; it’s about wisdom.

A large majority of agents (74%) are “very certain” they’ll stick with real estate for the next two years.

Despite market shifts, agents are not giving up.

They’re hunkering down, leveraging their experience, and planning on toughing it out.

So, what does this tell us about the agents who will be productive in the next few years?

They have better skills. Those who have better skills (lead generation, marketing, negotiation, etc.) are winning.

They’re constantly learning. The wiser agents are not giving ground to inexperienced newbies with “better tech.”   They are adapting quickly.

They are resilient. Most productive agents are willing to play the long game and work harder. Failure is not an option.

To successfully recruit this group of agents, you must mirror their mindset.

The best agents want to work with leaders who are a lot like them.

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P.S.  We are rehosting the Agent Migration Webinar for Inman today @ 12pm ET/9am PT.   If you missed this webinar earlier this month, join us today!

 

The Simple Psychology of Real Estate Recruiting [2nd Edition]

Unlock the secrets of effective real estate recruiting. Revised to include actionable frameworks for sharper execution and to help you turn psychological theory into a repeatable recruiting system.

Creating Pacts to Avoid Distraction

Creating Pacts to Avoid Distraction

Notice the two parts to Nir’s formula: a pre-commitment and an external force to keep you accountable to that commitment. For recruiting setting goals and time-blocks in your schedule is not enough. Most people need some kind of external accountability, as well.

Look for Individuals Who Want to be Measured

Look for Individuals Who Want to be Measured

It’s not that people with a growth mindset don’t experience failure—they just see failure as an opportunity to learn new things, to be challenged, and to experience curiosity. This is an important topic to cover during interviews and follow-up conversations with your prospects. If you find someone who likes being measured, you’ve likely found someone who will push through the inherent failures of growing a real estate business and experience long-term success.