Are you a real estate agent making less than $100,000 per year? You’re not alone—but the ceiling might not be as high as it seems. The truth is, most realtors plateau at that income level because of a few avoidable mistakes—not because of a lack of talent or effort.
If you're tired of hitting the same income ceiling year after year, it's time to shift your strategy.
At Homestretch Property Management, we work with realtors and investors every day. We’ve seen what separates six-figure earners from the rest—and it often comes down to these three critical mistakes.
1. Relying Solely on Referrals
Referrals are great. They're also unpredictable.
The Problem:
Majority of agents base their business on word of mouth which might flow dry without warning. Unless you can actively create new leads, you are leaving yourself to luck.
Why It's Holding You Back:
- Referrals limit your growth potential.
- You’re not in control of your income flow.
You miss daily opportunities to expand your network.
What to Do Instead:
- Build a lead generation system: use email, social media ads, cold outreach, and community engagement.
- Track your leads weekly.
- Set a target: generate at least 3–5 new leads every day.
2. Not Creating Content or Showing Up Online
If clients can’t find you online, you don’t exist.
The Problem:
Realtors often delay or skip content creation. No videos, no posts, no articles = no visibility.
Why It's Holding You Back:
- Buyers and sellers trust names they recognize.
- Competitors who show up consistently online will win the client—even if they’re less experienced.
- You’re missing free organic traffic and brand growth.
What to Do Instead:
- Create simple, helpful content weekly:
- Neighborhood insights
- Market updates
- Property walkthroughs
- Investment tips
- Repurpose content on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and your website.
3. Thinking Commissions Are Wealth
Commissions = income. They don’t build wealth.
The Problem:
Most realtors are caught in a loop of earning and spending. No matter how many homes they sell, they’re not building long-term wealth.
Why It's Holding You Back:
- Your income resets every month.
- You miss out on passive income streams.
- You’re working in the business, not on your financial future.
What to Do Instead:
- Start investing in rental properties—even one property can shift your financial future.
- Leverage your market knowledge and real estate network to buy smart.
- Partner with a reliable property management team (that’s us) to handle the operations, tenant management, and maintenance.
How Homestretch Property Management Helps Realtors Grow Wealth
If you're ready to stop relying on just commissions and start building real estate income, we’re here to help.
We manage properties for realtors, first-time investors, and experienced landlords across St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Lincoln County, and beyond.
Here’s what we offer:
- Full-service property management
- Tenant screening and placement
- Rent collection and maintenance coordination
- Transparent reporting and owner dashboards
By outsourcing the day-to-day stress, you can stay focused on growing your business and your investment portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Final Thoughts
If you're earning under $100K annually as a realtor, it’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter.
Recap of What’s Holding You Back:
Relying only on referrals
No content = no visibility
Selling homes, but not owning any
Your next move? Take control. Invest in real estate. Build an online presence. And build a lead pipeline that fuels your business, not just feeds it.
At Homestretch Property Management, we help realtors like you transition from agent to owner—and grow income the smart way.