09/12/2026
Dear Florida Real Estate Industry… We Need to Talk. 😂🏠
Can we PLEASE stop handing out real estate licenses like they're participation trophies?
At this point, Florida has so many licensed agents that I'm beginning to think the state motto should be:
“Welcome to Florida! Here’s your driver’s license, voter registration and real estate license. Pick up your Publix sub on the way out.” 😂
Seriously though…
We have roughly 220,000 licensed real estate agents in Florida, and somehow the answer to every new person moving here seems to be:
“Have you considered becoming a REALTOR?”
Apparently, if you can pass a multiple-choice test, you too can join the circus. 🎪
And THAT is where the problem begins.
The licensing classes teach you how to pass the licensing exam. They don't exactly prepare you for the reality of practicing real estate.
They don't teach you what it's like when a transaction is falling apart at 4:47 PM on a Friday.
They don't teach you how to deal with a buyer, seller, lender, inspector, title company and another agent all calling you at the same time.
They don't teach you what happens when someone forgets a critical disclosure.
They don't teach you how to negotiate.
They don't teach you how to actually run a real estate business.
And apparently, they REALLY don't teach some people how to upload documents into the MLS. 😂
I've lost count of how many times I've had to chase down another agent for documents that should have already been attached to the listing.
Seller Property Disclosure?
Missing.
Flood disclosure?
Missing.
Lead-based paint disclosure?
“Do I really need that?”
YES, SUSAN. 😂
And then, instead of simply uploading the document, we get to play the exciting game of:
“Let's call the agent and see if they answer!”
Of course they don't.
So you leave a voicemail.
Then you wait.
Then you call again.
Then you wait some more.
And eventually, two days later, the document magically appears in your inbox like you've just witnessed a real estate miracle.
Meanwhile, you're thinking:
“I could have closed three transactions in the amount of time it took me to get this one disclosure.” 😂
And let's talk about compensation.
I've actually had agents ask me:
“What's the compensation?”
Before they know anything about the property.
Before they've reviewed the contract.
Before they've even introduced themselves.
Apparently, we've reached the point where “Hi, I'm Bob. What's my cut?” is considered a professional introduction. 🤦♀️😂
And then there's the REALTOR ego.
Some people get that license and suddenly walk around like they've been inducted into the Real Estate Hall of Fame.
They have their business cards.
They have their headshots.
They have “REALTOR® | Luxury Specialist | Negotiation Expert | Market Guru” in their Instagram bio.
They've been licensed for 11 minutes.
And they know EVERYTHING. 😂
Meanwhile, there are experienced agents quietly cleaning up transaction disasters behind the scenes.
Here's the part that really bothers me:
Brokerages have every incentive to keep recruiting.
More agents = more splits.
More agents = more monthly fees.
So we keep adding bodies to the pool…
…but where is the real-world training?
Where is the mentoring?
Where is the accountability?
Where is the emphasis on actually becoming a competent professional instead of simply getting a license and ordering 500 business cards?
I'm NOT saying new agents are bad.
Some of the best agents I've ever met were new agents who were humble, hungry, asked questions, learned everything they could and took the responsibility seriously.
Those people I respect tremendously.
What I DON'T respect is someone who thinks getting a license means they've finished learning.
Because it doesn't.
It's when the learning should actually begin.
Real estate is a profession.
We're dealing with people's homes, life savings, investments, contracts and often some of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make.
We should be held to a higher standard.
So if I could make one wish for the Florida real estate industry, it would be this:
STOP measuring success by how many people you can license and start measuring it by how many professionals you can actually develop.
Because right now…
Florida real estate sometimes feels less like a profession and more like a three-ring circus where everyone has a lockbox. 🎪🔑😂
And yes…
I'm probably going to get some angry comments for this.
That's okay.
I'll be over here…
uploading my disclosures to the MLS. 😂😂😂
