A personal reflection
Looking back over the past 25 years, I am often reminded of when my dad first began his career in real estate. After earning his licence, he joined Century 21 at Hurontario and Eglinton, and I would occasionally visit his office. The atmosphere was alive and energetic, phones constantly ringing, agents coming and going, and leadership and administrative staff visibly engaged in the daily operations. The environment was vibrant, serious, and truly professional.
My dad always wore a suit and tie to the office, not because it was required, but because he respected his profession. He kept his car spotless, ensured lawn signs shone, and was always prepared with business cards to hand to prospects. Representation, preparation, and maintaining high standards were essential to him and those around.
Over the years, significant changes have taken place. Real estate began to be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a relatively easy way to earn money, prompting an influx of agents due to low barriers to entry. Wherever you go, you’re likely to encounter an agent, some working part-time, some completing only a deal a year, and others dabbling for fun. With property prices soaring, a handful of transactions could equal an average salary, leading many agents to spend their time elsewhere. As business became easier, professional standards quietly slipped away.
The industry moved toward flashiness, and more agents became influencers, entertainers, and socialites. For a time, the market rewarded visibility over discipline and personality over process. While this evolution was not inherently negative, its effectiveness eventually dwindled, and consumers became resentful and disenchanted.
By 2025, the situation changed dramatically. The post-COVID market correction and ongoing economic uncertainty forced a reckoning. Easy deals vanished, and consumers became more cautious and informed, no longer impressed by surface-level branding. What’s happening now is not a collapse, but a recalibration.
Agents are now required to work harder, think strategically, and return to the fundamentals. Real estate is once again being treated as a serious business rather than a lifestyle accessory. Although this shift may be uncomfortable for some, it is long overdue.
Encouragingly, brokerages are reinvesting in their infrastructure, especially in developing their people. Administrative teams, operations support, training, coaching, and leadership development are now seen as essential for agent success, not optional expenses. Industry leaders are reflecting on past missteps, acknowledging where standards slipped, and working together to raise the bar.
There is an increase in collaborative events, replacing competitive, ego-driven environments. These new spaces focus on elevating the profession collectively rather than seeking individual recognition as they have in the past. This trend is refreshing and much needed.
While flashiness remains, it is no longer enough to impress clients or other agents. What truly earns respect now are consistency, accountability, preparation, and professionalism.
I recently listened to a podcast featuring Ryan Serhant. What stood out was not his sales volume or brand reach, but his analytical approach to business. He treats his work with the rigour of a large corporation, assigning real dollar values to his time and measuring how he shows up for clients. His philosophy is clear: clients trust agents with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives, and agents owe them their absolute best, every time.
The hope is that real estate continues to move toward clear standards, strong business practices, and genuine accountability, not as a regression, but as an iteration of the fundamental principles that originally earned respect for the profession.
The industry doesn’t need less personality; it needs more professionalism. Fortunately, it feels like we are finally finding our way back.
SOURCE, KATE TEVES & THE HR PRO
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