Is 2026 a Good Time to Become an Estate Agent? 

The property sector moves in cycles and right now many people are wondering if 2026 will be a good time to become an estate agent. Between shifting interest rates and the ongoing demand for housing, it’s understandable that potential newcomers want to know whether the career is stable, profitable, and worth the commitment.

In this article, we’ll break down the state of the current property market, how the wider real estate housing market is evolving, and what these trends mean for anyone thinking about becoming an estate agent. We’ll also touch on how to become an estate agent in practice, considering the current landscape of the property market.

Understanding the Current Property Market

Before becoming an estate agent, you need to understand the current property market and how things got whether they are today.

To cut a long story short, two decades of rising interest rates have had a serious impact on demand. Borrowing costs are higher, mortgages are more expensive, and when you combine this with the impact of inflation on people’s wages, it’s no surprise that there are fewer buyers. At the same time, sellers are a lot more cautious than they used to be, knowing that, to the right buyer, they can probably get a very good deal but first they have to find the right buyer. This means a waiting game.

But it’s not all bad, and as we move into 2026, the housing market seems to be finding a new stability. Interest rates are predicted to ease which will hopefully lead to a gradual incline in demand. This, in turn, will create a more predictable market which will lead to more confidence in both buyers and sellers. 

When all’s said and done, a steady market is a real estate agent’s dream because it leads to stable work. 

The Benefits of a Slow Market

A slow market can be a good thing for real estate agents if properly leveraged. Slow markets are predictable in their way and give new real estate agents the chance to learn the ropes. Also slow doesn’t necessarily mean low. It’s still possible to make some very high value sales during a period like this.

As a commission driven job, it can feel like you need to be always making sales but many estate agents rely more on a handful of big sales than lots of small ones. Furthermore, in your first couple of years, the skills you develop will be far more valuable than the money you earn.

Sales is a skill and it’s a complicated one. You need to be able present difficult truths in an appealing way. You need to negotiate a deal that leaves everyone happy. You can’t afford to just care about this deal either. You want your clients to feel glad they worked with you so that, the next time they’re considering selling, it’s you and your firm who get the call.

All of this to say that having a bit of extra breathing time on your first few deals isn’t a bad thing, especially not if it gives you the chance to ask questions of more experienced estate agents and study those all important skills.

How To Become an Estate Agent

Okay, so we’ve talked about the big picture but now for the practical stuff. How do you become an estate agent?

Well, first of all, you’ll need a valid driving license and your own vehicle. This isn’t really negotiable as you need to be able to visit lots of properties in a short period of time. Beyond that you don’t need much in the way of qualifications and experience. You may need some general job experience but there’s no one CV the hiring managers are looking for.

Then you have a choice. Most people get into the industry by working for a real estate agency. You’ll be on a small salary plus a commission of their commission. This is good for training and you can make a decent living working for these kinds of firms.

That said, if you’re based in the US, you will require a license via a state approved education program. These tend not to take long to complete however and after that you’ll be free to practise real estate.

In the US many real estate agents also work independently, getting to keep the full commission and significantly raising their earnings per sale. Of course this can be a lot harder at first but after a few years – and especially once you’ve built up some contacts – it’s possible to launch your annual income into the six figure range.