Running a real estate brokerage has never been easy — but 2025 is shaping up to be one of the toughest years yet. Not because of the lawsuits. Not even because of the market itself.
The truth?
Most broker owners were never trained to lead through change.
They’re still managing their businesses like it’s 2021. Back when deals were flowing, competition was minimal, and growth happened by default.
But those days are gone.
We are entering what may be the lowest transaction environment since the 2008 financial crisis. Rising prices won’t save you. Because no one gets paid on price.
You and your agents only get paid on closed deals.
2025 coulD break you
You might be in a so-called “hot market.” Maybe you’re seeing multiple offers or limited inventory.
But if the number of transactions stays low, your revenue will bleed — no matter how much homes are worth.
This isn’t just a cycle. This is a fundamental shift in the real estate landscape. Between new commission structures, buyer hesitation, and market confusion, brokerages that fail to adapt will be left behind.
So how do you lead through this storm?
You don’t panic. You pivot.
4 Critical Shifts to Lead in 2025
- Acknowledge the Truth — Loud and Clear
Your team doesn’t need blind optimism. They need your honesty and clarity. Start with this simple sentence:
“We’re in a low-transaction market — and here’s what that means for us.” Then get specific:
– Are there too many listings and not enough buyers?
– Is there no inventory and too much demand?
– Are deals stalling because of interest rates?
When your agents understand the real problem, they’re far more likely to step up and help solve it. - Paint the Short-Term AND Long-Term Picture
Agents and clients alike are desperate for leadership. They’re asking:
“Where is this going?”
“Should I wait, or act now?”
You need to provide answers — even if they aren’t perfect.
Short-term predictions help people make decisions today. Long-term vision builds confidence for tomorrow. And don’t forget: Death, taxes, and long-term real estate appreciation — those are the constants. Your job is to remind your people of that truth, again and again. - Equip Your Agents with Buy-Side Strategies That Work Now
This market is confusing buyers — and confusing agents even more. Your team needs help navigating conversations like:
“Why are rates so high?”
“Is now even a smart time to buy?”
“What happens to commissions under the new rules?”
You cannot assume your agents know how to respond. Train them with:
🗹 Proven buyer scripts that work in today’s conditions
🗹 Strategies to position this market as an opportunity, not a threat
🗹 Tools to combat interest rate anxiety and buyer hesitation.
When your agents are confident, your closings increase. - Coach Strong Listing-Side Strategy (Most Brokers Miss This
If your market is seeing rising inventory or longer days on market, this is the most critical training you can offer. Even your 15-year veterans are now back in rookie territory — because most have never sold in a 2008-style buyer’s market.
You must show them how to:
✅Coach sellers on realistic pricing
✅Set proper expectations on showings, timelines, and offers
✅Use professional staging, marketing, and negotiation tactics that move inventory
If you don’t? Your agents will drown. And so will your business.
BE A CONFIDENT LEADER
There’s no such thing as a “national market” anymore. What’s true in Dallas might be totally false in Vancouver. You need local expertise, rapid communication, and the ability to adapt quickly.
Leading through change isn’t a luxury. It’s a requirement.
And if you do this right, you’ll move from being the broker who’s barely surviving To the one agents flock to for security, growth, and vision.
If you’re serious about navigating this market with clarity, confidence, and a real strategy — let’s talk.
Together, we’ll look at your numbers, your market, and your team and we’ll build you a custom plan to lead through 2025 and beyond.
Don’t try to figure this out alone. We’ve helped brokers not just survive markets worse than this but scale, recruit, and thrive in the face of it.
Let’s do the same for you.
