Only 5% of Agents Are Actually Selling Homes — Is Yours One of Them?
When it comes to real estate, who you hire matters more than most people realize. In fact, recent industry data reveals a surprising truth: most real estate agents aren’t actually selling homes.
According to a 2024 study by the Consumer Federation of America, 49% of licensed agents sold one or no homes last year, and nearly 70% sold five or fewer. That means the majority of agents are doing very little actual business—and have limited real-world experience navigating today’s market.
Even the National Association of REALTORS® confirms this trend. Their 2023 Member Profile reported that the median number of residential transactions per agent was just 10 for the year. Meanwhile, agents in the top 5% of the industry typically close 20 to 40+ deals annually.
That difference isn’t just about numbers. It’s about results.
Why Working With a Top 5% Agent Makes a Real Difference
Whether you're buying or selling, partnering with a top-producing agent can have a measurable impact on your outcome. Here's how:
More Experience, Sharper Strategy
Top agents don’t just dabble in real estate—they live and breathe it. With multiple transactions under their belt every month, they understand market trends, pricing strategies, and negotiation tactics at a level that part-time and low producing agents simply don’t.
Better Negotiation Power
Top agents are skilled negotiators. They know how to structure strong offers, spot red flags, and advocate fiercely for their clients. This often translates to buyers saving thousands on purchase price or sellers earning significantly more on their home sale.
Greater Access to Listings and Buyers
The best agents are deeply networked. They often hear about off-market properties or upcoming listings before they hit the MLS—and they know how to attract serious, qualified buyers to a listing. That kind of access creates real opportunity.
Fewer Delays, Smoother Transactions
Experience brings efficiency. Top agents know how to keep deals on track, avoid paperwork errors, and anticipate issues before they become problems. This results in faster closings, fewer surprises, and much less stress for everyone involved.
How Much Could You Be Leaving on the Table?
Choosing the wrong agent can quietly cost you thousands—without you even realizing it.
For buyers, working with an inexperienced agent often means:
Submitting offer after offer and constantly losing out, especially in competitive markets.
Missing opportunities to save money due to poor negotiation tactics or lack of market insight.
Delays in closing caused by paperwork issues, weak lender coordination, or overlooked contract details.
By contrast, top-performing agents typically:
Help clients win homes with fewer offers—often in half the time.
Negotiate 3–5% in purchase savings, compared to the 1–2% typical of average agents.
Save buyers $10,000–$25,000 or more on a $500,000 home—not to mention the time and stress of a prolonged search.
For sellers, the risk is even higher:
Overpricing a home and sitting on the market too long leads to inevitable price reductions.
Accepting unnecessary inspection credits or closing delays from poorly qualified buyers.
Missed marketing opportunities that result in fewer showings, less competition, and lower offers.
Top agents know how to price strategically, market aggressively, and negotiate confidently—often helping sellers earn $10,000–$25,000 more, sell faster, and avoid concessions.
The Bottom Line
With over 3 million licensed real estate agents in the U.S., not all are created equal—and only the top 5% are consistently delivering exceptional results.
If your agent isn’t consistently closing deals, negotiating aggressively, and offering strategic insight, you could be losing valuable time and money.
Choose wisely. Choose a top-performing professional.
