One of the biggest advantages of working on a team is access to shared resources. From marketing materials to office support and even leads, teams often provide infrastructure that can make your day-to-day work much smoother. Instead of spending hours trying to handle everything solo, you can focus more of your energy on what you do best—serving clients and closing deals.

Real estate can feel isolating, but joining a team changes that. You gain colleagues to brainstorm with, learn from, and lean on when challenges come up. Whether it’s navigating tricky negotiations or sharing strategies that worked in your market, having a built-in support system makes you stronger and more resilient as an agent.

As an established agent, you may already have a strong client base, but joining a team can help you expand even further. Teams often have brand recognition that boosts your credibility and exposure. Plus, working alongside other agents can open the door to mentorship opportunities (yes, even for seasoned pros) and new approaches that keep your business evolving.

Finally, let’s talk about balance. Running a solo business can sometimes mean long nights and working every weekend. On a team, responsibilities are often shared, which gives you more flexibility to take time off without worrying that your clients are left hanging. It’s a win-win: your clients get consistent service, and you get a little breathing room.

I just love the atmosphere and the people and I feel that people that work for CENTURY 21 they do have a passion for real estate. They’re in it for the long run for the most part. People come and go in this industry but I think there is some very strong loyalty to CENTURY 21 and me included.

— Lisa Mueller from CENTURY 21 Fusion in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

I think if you say the word CENTURY 21, people know you’re in real estate. Doesn’t matter if you’re coming from the Middle East or Asia or Europe, they will know who CENTURY 21 is. So, I think that gives you an advantage immediately when you’re just trying to do an elevator pitch.

— Stephen Chow from CENTURY 21 Atria Realty Inc. Brokerage & CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. Brokerage in Richmond Hill, ON

For the first four months when I started my career, I started with a different brokerage in the city and was finding myself sort of lost in the chaos and what to do and was not finding like I had a foot on the ground. And I met someone from CENTURY 21 during a new member course, and they said, “you know what come over, see what were like. We offer all these tools and advantages to help you get started.” And I haven’t looked back since.

— Margaret Burt from CENTURY 21 Fusion in Saskatoon, SK

I wanted to be at one of the bigger brokerages. That was like the number one thing. So I actually did go and meet with every single one in central Alberta, which there were three that I sat down with, and it was just so clear to me after meeting with my brokers, Dale and Tara, it was I had actually said that I was going to go elsewhere, was actually getting signs made. And then I met with Dale and Tara and I was like, pump the brakes. I'm actually going to go with CENTURY 21 and haven't looked back.

— Alexis Glackin from CENTURY 21 Maximum in Red Deer, AB

I looked at a couple other brokerages, and I think the big thing for me was the nationwide reach and the worldwide reach. We have a lot of local brokerages where I'm at, and, it was just something that was different. And it's made a big difference in my career here because, just being able to provide that level of service for your clients, see if they're moving to Edmonton or moving to Nova Scotia. I can get an agent on the phone within an hour.

— Keenan Giles from CENTURY 21 Harbour Realty Ltd. in Nanaimo, BC

You can go and take a look at other brokerages around and they attract a very specific style of agent. And in the CENTURY 21 network, you’ve got high performers, people who are heavily involved in the community, people who want to be seen as professionals and taken as professionals. And I think that makes a huge difference and you don’t get that with all the other brokerages that are available across Canada.

— Rhiannon Foster from CENTURY 21 In Town Realty in Vancouver, BC

When a new client comes your way through a referral, you’re already starting the relationship on a solid foundation. Why? Because someone they know has vouched for you. That built-in trust makes it easier for clients to feel confident in your expertise and more comfortable working with you. Instead of having to prove yourself from scratch, you can jump straight into showing them how you can help.

Referrals aren’t just local—they can come from anywhere. People move for jobs, family, or lifestyle changes, and when they do, they often ask their current agent for recommendations in their new city. By having connections with agents across the country (or even internationally), you can tap into client opportunities that your own advertising might never reach. It’s a powerful way to grow your business and stand out in a competitive market.

Building a referral network takes time, but it pays off in more ways than one. As you grow your connections with other professionals, you’ll naturally position yourself as an expert in the industry. The more you show up, share knowledge, and support others, the more people will think of you when it’s time to send a client your way. And here’s the best part—referrals often lead to even more referrals, creating a cycle of trust and opportunity.

So many resources aimed at high-performing agents encourage the never-ending hustle and putting in long hours to find success. Real estate requires self-motivation, but burnout doesn’t have to be the price of success. Here are some tips, according to the National Association of Realtors:

• Plan a schedule and stick to it: An agent could work around the clock if they wanted to, but that’s a fast way to lose control of your life. Plan working hours and a schedule and then make sure to stick to them – this ensures time to properly decompress.
• Utilize tools to stay organized: If you’ve got leads you need to follow up on and hundreds of calls to make, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Identify which tools aimed at agents (and there are hundreds!) actually help you take control over your tasks and lay them out in the most manageable way possible.
• Learn to set limits: It seems almost impossible that there might be a time when you have to turn down a lead, but you might find yourself already juggling the clients you have. Sometimes, the best thing to do for yourself and a potential new client is to learn when to refer them to a trusted colleague.
• Know how to ask for help: Real estate can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, reach out to your broker or another agent in your office. You might be surprised to learn how common burnout is, and see what management tactics have worked for others.

If a good broker wants to retain their top performers, looking out for their mental health will keep them in the business longer and strengthen the broker-agent relationship. Alongside tools and tech, personal support will ensure your high-level agents feel heard and taken care of, and it will only help their output if they’re managing their work/life balance.

So what can a broker do to catch the signs of burnout early?

• Schedule one-on-one check-ins: Brokers are busy, but even ten minutes to check-in and offer friendly advice could help a struggling agent open up
• Encourage set time in-office: Most agents keep their own schedule, but planning some time to gather everyone for an office meeting is a great way to keep agents connected to a larger support network of their peers.
• Educate agents on recognizing the signs of burnout: Have ongoing conversations with new and veteran agents on how to recognize the signs of burnout, and how a healthy work/life balance is the superior option over hustle culture of the real estate industry.

Before you dive in, take some time to reflect. Maybe your current job doesn’t offer the flexibility you need, or you’re craving something more people-focused and rewarding.

Once you’ve pinpointed what’s missing, think through the logistics. Can you handle the financial transition? Since it takes time to build momentum in real estate, having savings set aside will help take the pressure off in the early months.

A real estate career offers a lot of flexibility. It can be an excellent option for parents juggling family schedules or professionals who want part-time work. Beyond flexibility, real estate allows you to shape your own business—whether that’s through marketing, client relationships, or specializing in certain types of properties. And if you’re someone who thrives on building connections, this is an industry where being good with people truly pays off.

Every province has its own rules when it comes to becoming licensed, so your first step is doing a little research. Look into the education requirements, fees, and timelines where you live. Many provinces offer online courses, while some have in-person training options. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll know exactly what’s ahead.

It’s important to go in with realistic expectations. In the beginning, you’ll likely need to dip into savings to cover both personal expenses and startup costs. Real estate isn’t a standard 9-to-5 either—you’ll probably find yourself working evenings and weekends to accommodate clients. Building a strong business takes time, but the long-term payoff can be worth it.

Switching to real estate is a big decision, but it could be the fresh start you’re looking for. With some planning, realistic expectations, and a willingness to put in the work, you can create a career that’s flexible, fulfilling, and uniquely yours.

First things first: know who you’re talking to. Are most buyers in your area young professionals looking for condos, or families searching for their forever homes?

When you understand who your clients are, you can tailor your messaging to their specific needs. Anticipating what they want—whether it’s walkable neighborhoods, larger backyards, or quick access to transit—helps you present yourself as someone who truly gets it. That’s how you position yourself as an expert, even if you’re new to the industry.

Your brand should feel like you. Lean into your strengths and personality instead of trying to copy someone else’s style. Maybe you’re naturally funny, maybe you’re a great storyteller, or maybe you love crunching numbers and explaining the market in plain language.

Whatever it is, highlight it! When it comes to sharing your brand, pick the platforms you actually enjoy using. If you like short videos, TikTok or Instagram Reels might be your best bet. If you’re more of a writer, start with a blog or LinkedIn updates. Being authentic makes your brand much easier to sustain over the long term.

Consistency is where the magic happens. Whether it’s weekly social media posts, monthly newsletters, or video tours, show up regularly so people remember you. And don’t forget about your visuals—your headshot, color scheme, and overall style should look cohesive across your website, social channels, and print materials. That polished consistency helps build trust and makes your brand instantly recognizable.

Be honest, who get’s anything done on their first day? Get a feel for your new brokerage, know who in your office to go to with questions, and make sure you can get into your company email account!

As a C21 Canada agent, you’ll get regular emails from the CareerXpress program that will guide you through activities for your first month of real estate.

Get your feet wet with the new tools and technology at your fingertips! Even if you don’t have that many contacts to manage or any presentations to build out, the earlier you learn how to use these tools, the easier it will be to get the most out of them when you get into the full swing of client meetings and outreach. Customize your new C21 Website and make sure you’ve followed our guides to making it as SEO friendly as possible so that new clients can find you.

This is where your career becomes your own, but you’ll probably want to work out a schedule that works best for you and your lifestyle. Block out times for calling and following up with potential leads, and take advantage of the training your broker offers to get that first listing. You could also explore the C21 Canada training options available through our Path to Gold platform, which has a course specifically for new agents.

This is it! Rely on everything you’ve learned and don’t be afraid to ask for help. When you have a happy client, make sure you ask for a glowing review, and our Testimonial Tree platform will make displaying the praise as seamless as possible.

Maybe this will take a few years or maybe you’ll hit the ground running right out of the gate – whatever your path, when you get recognized for your work, take the time to celebrate it! Share the social media bricks that will be provided for you from our marketing team, and find out when an Awards Event will be in a city near you. You earned that award – you deserve to show it off!