The Myth of Flexibility: The Truth About Being a Property Agent

The Myth of Flexibility in Real Estate

“Flexible Hours” – A Misunderstood Concept

When people hear that you're a property agent, one of the first things they say is, “Oh, that must be so flexible! You can work whenever you want, right?”

Let me set the record straight:
That is a myth. A big one.

Clients are mostly available on weekends, public holidays, and after working hours. That’s exactly when agents must be on duty. When others are winding down, we’re just getting started.

The Reality Behind the Job

• Being a property agent is not a typical 9-to-5 job — it’s a different kind of commitment. According to Lembaga BOVAEA, our official working hours are from 10am to 6pm.

  But the truth? The real work often starts after that.

  While others clock out on Friday evenings, we gear up. Why? Because buyers and investors are only available on weekends, public holidays, and after working hours.

  That means:

  • No lazy Saturday mornings

  • No peaceful Sunday brunches

  • No guaranteed time off on public holidays

  These are our busiest times.

  And while our working hours may be defined, our learning is 24/7 — market trends, negotiation strategies, property laws, and client behavior are constantly evolving. We never stop improving.

  But here’s the truth: this grind — the long hours, the hustle, the missed personal time — is mostly in your first to fifth year as a real estate agent. Once you get good at the game, build your network, and form your own team, you earn your time back. That’s when flexibility becomes real — and so does financial freedom.

What Flexibility Really Looks Like

Yes, we technically set our own schedules — but the reality is, our “freedom” depends entirely on other people’s convenience.

That means:

• Last-minute changes and viewings
• Long drives across districts with no time for lunch
• Juggling multiple clients in a single day
• Being available on-call — anytime, anywhere
• Missing out on family events or downtime

And unlike salaried jobs, if we don’t show up, we don’t get paid.

Now imagine this: we sacrifice our time, plan our day, and head out to show a property — only for the client to cancel last minute. Can you imagine how frustrating that is for us?

Lesson Learned the Hard Way

A Powerful Lesson in Real Estate: Embracing Sacrifice and Growth

As someone new to the real estate industry, I had plans to go hiking with friends this Saturday, thinking I’d have the morning free. However, I received a call about a buyer appointment scheduled for 10:30 AM that same day. Naturally, I panicked and reached out to my leader, Mr. Jeevan, for guidance.

His response was both calm and insightful: “In the beginning, we must dedicate more time—not just to serving clients, but to developing ourselves. We need to build our character, grow our knowledge, and learn to stand on our own two feet. Knowledge, experience, and ideas only come to life when we’re actively engaged in the business. That’s why the first five years are crucial. It’s during this time that we lay the foundation. After that, once you understand the flow of the industry, you can start to restructure your schedule and create space for your family and personal life.”

While Mr. Jeevan offered to attend the viewing on my behalf, he also made it clear: “This will be your first and last mistake.”

Reality check: Being a real estate negotiator isn’t a part-time gig. It’s full-time service, even when it’s inconvenient. But I now see that the sacrifices I make in the early years will pave the way for greater control over my time in the future.

Why We Still Do It

Despite the challenges, many of us stay in this business because we’re passionate about helping people secure homes and investments. We enjoy the thrill of negotiation, the satisfaction of closing a deal, and the joy of delivering keys to homeowners.

Reminder: Real estate isn’t about flexibility — it’s about commitment, service, and satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a property agent can lead you to becoming a billionaire — but only if you're willing to give it your all. It demands your full energy, focus, and commitment. This isn’t just a career — it’s a journey that rewards those who go all in.

Interested to learn more about property? Drop us a message on WhatsApp at 014-6349331 — we’re happy to guide you!