What is the hardest part of an agent's job?

The estate agent's profession has its downsides as well as its upsides. Agents agree that their work comes with certain inconveniences. There are not many of them, but as in any job, there are some that make the work harder to a certain extent. Here are the 5 most frequently mentioned drawbacks of an estate agent's work.

1. Impatient clients
   Estate agents are most frustrated by clients who have no sense of timing. As an example, one agent describes a situation in which a client calls on a Sunday evening saying they absolutely must see a property that same day. The agent arranges childcare, calls the property owner and drives to the viewing. In the meantime the client calls and says they have changed their mind after all. These are difficult situations, inseparably linked, unfortunately, with this profession.
2. Indecisive clients
   Clients often say they want to buy a property, but in fact they have not made up their minds. They go to viewings and browse listings, but none is attractive enough for them. As it later turns out, they are not interested in buying at all. Sometimes they view a flat and then scheme to buy it without an agent. Just to avoid paying the commission. This is very upsetting for any agent who devotes their valuable time and receives no payment for it. Sometimes it turns out that potential clients have not checked their financial means and are not creditworthy.
3. Being undervalued
   An agent's work is very often undervalued. People think that agents expect a commission "for nothing". In reality, they are not aware of how many steps an agent must take to bring about a transaction. Starting with taking on the listing, preparing it, sorting out its legal status, finding the necessary documents, finding a client and bringing the transaction to completion. It is long and laborious work that only a few appreciate.
4. Dependence on the economic situation
   The number of transactions affects earnings. When the property market is in good shape, the number of transactions is high, but when things start to go badly in the economy, this has a direct effect on the property market – and on agents' earnings. Agents usually run their own businesses, the costs of which they bear regardless of the commissions earned. When the economy is booming, estate agents feel it straight away!
5. Working outside normal hours
   Clients usually have time for property viewings in the afternoons and at weekends. When deciding to work as an estate agent, you should take into account that the work will often be done at exactly those times. This affects family life, which has to be adapted to your professional activity. What counts then is the ability to plan and organise your time… and a large dose of patience from your nearest and dearest!