After 27+ years in this business, I’d say the fundamentals of real estate have not gotten harder. In many ways, the business itself is easier because the tools, information, and technology are better than they have ever been.

What has become more difficult is managing consumers' expectations and other agents who are complicated to work with because they're either too green, poor communicators or too burned out. Real Estate is easy, people make it hard.😉

Consumers are often influenced by highly edited real estate television, instant-access technology, and a culture that has grown accustomed to immediate answers and immediate results. At the same time, the industry has its share of inexperienced agents who have not yet developed the judgment the business requires, along with experienced agents who may have simply become tired or complacent.

Real estate has always been straightforward in principle. Serve people well. Communicate clearly. Know your market. Solve problems. Protect your client.

The complexity comes from the people, personalities, expectations, and emotions surrounding the transaction. That is why experience and wisdom still matter. We are the straw that stirs the drink.

Although I retired in 2020, I found it was getting harder. I was happy to wish it goodbye for a simpler life.

John Palmer I retired as soon as I could draw SS because I felt it was not worth the stress induced by new regulations, paperwork, and competing agents poor attitudes.

For me, it is not real estate - it's the mindset. My mind adjusts as the market shifts ... the market does shift. 

If we think something is hard, we are right. It will be hard. 

The answer is YES. LOL

It's a lot easier for me than many, bc I have learned how to walk through fire without getting burnt. Yes I am Khaleesi complete with dragons for anyone who tries to F with me! 

Today it may be harder. There is more pressure one market exposure, professional photography and proper pricing with constant price monitoring. 

I have been in the business for a little more than 10 years now. The verdict - it's definitely harder. I came into the business strong with a financial background plus I served on my condo board as Treasurer and later as President- and this served as a double edged sword. I had advanced knowledge of the business before I was licensed- but I was still serving on my condo board- which included needing to foreclose on my next door neighbor, a lien for monthly common charges (HOA in other markets) and special assessments. It took 13 years from my neighbor defaulting until we got a new neighbor in- and it was a massive weight on my shoulders of running the condo board almost exclusively by myself including the foreclosure.  It burned me out for awhile. 

Ignoring the personal, the business itself has gotten much, much more difficult- while at the same time my skills continued to strengthen in this business. Manhattan has had a lost decade in terms of prices and in the last few years, a large reduction in transaction volume. Local, State and Federal policy decisions have weighed heavily on us- though much of it was at the local level - NYC specific. While I  believe in the need for good and smart regulation, I am not in favor of overregulation, and that has been what has been occurring here- overregulation. 

Finally there are the industry specific aspects of change that have made the business significantly harder. On it's own- the Sitzer Burnett settlement would have had marginal impact- but given how difficult the environment has become overall- this added unnecessary friction especially when you consider commissions are unchanged- but it adds more stress for everyone. The last key point I want to make is one I don't think has impacted me much yet- but if left unchecked will make this business for many agents a nightmare. The decision to allow the Compass/ Anywhere merger to occur without any sell off for local markets impacted by this monopoly is corrupt at it's core combined with Compass' decision to encourage agents to list privately. In Manhattan the merged firm represents 80% of the sales market (and potentially other markets are impacted similarly). Now, imagine that you don't hang your shingle with Compass or the other related entities and a new buyer comes your way- how do you best represent that buyer if a substantial portion of the inventory for purchase is locked away with one organization- blind to what might be available. The market worked that way at one point- and it was a mess. We have always had private listings with elite situations- but those were usually a tiny percentage of the market- and it wasn't hidden from the market by a single organization. 

There are other factors such as AI changing the business- but these are universal to the entire world, not limited to our business and frankly, I see this helping us as agents (until it doesn't)- but for now one of the rare bright spots I see in the business. 

The business, like many businesses, is always changing.

There is no such thing as "easy".

I'd say easier.  I have gotten traction and momentum.  Knowing the ropes also helps, as it reduces uncertainty and wasted time.

John, another good question. I know things after decades in the biz. That savvy goes to work for you in any field of practicing, interpersonal relationships, raising children, etc. John Palmer 

It is easier as far as knowing the business end of it and the skills and experience that have been acquired over the years. The initial learning curve for new agents is huge and there are many who go into the industry thinking it is easy money. That makes it harder for experienced agents so that, coupled with keeping up with all the industry and constant technology changes, makes it harder.

Everything changes but whether it is easier or harder depends on your mindset John Palmer we can adjust and roll with the changes or fight them

About the same.

Easier because I've learned how to master the challenges...which are, after all, what keeps us coming back for more!

   Easier.   

Low inventory is hard, but technology is very helpful.