Why isn’t estate agency attracting and holding on to top talent?

Where have all the skilled Estate Agents gone?

If you’ve been paying attention to the property sector lately, you’ve noticed an unsettling trend: fewer skilled workers are choosing estate agency as a career, and those who do are often out the door within a few years. We’re seeing a shift where, instead of attracting experienced, dynamic professionals, corporate estate agencies are struggling with high turnover, low morale, and a workforce stretched thin. But why?

According to the latest employment data, turnover rates in the estate agency sector have increased by almost 20% in the last five years. The biggest issue? Burnout. Long hours, constant client demands, and administrative pressures are taking the fun out of the job. Skilled professionals are opting out, and it’s not hard to see why.

The Numbers Speak

Recent data from the property industry shows that:

? Employee retention in estate agencies is declining, with a turnover rate among junior staff that’s nearly twice the national average across other sectors.

? New hires often don’t last long; half of the agents who join fresh leave within the first three years. Many report feeling overwhelmed by the amount of admin work that keeps them away from the ‘fun stuff’ - building relationships, making sales, and helping clients find their ideal home.

? Skilled workers are looking elsewhere for careers that provide better work-life balance, clearer career progression, and more hands-on engagement with clients rather than paperwork.

The Reality of Modern Estate Agency

Being an estate agent should be about relationships, local market knowledge, and the satisfaction of matching people to properties. Instead, it’s become an admin-heavy job, with agents spending up to 60% of their time on non-core tasks. With mounting pressures from tech-savvy clients and rising expectations, many are struggling to keep up, leading them to consider career changes.

This trend is concerning not only for agencies but for the whole property sector. The fact is, when good people leave, it impacts service quality, customer satisfaction, and the agency’s reputation.

The Rise of Self-Employed Agency Models

Another significant shift impacting recruitment and retention in estate agency is the rapid rise of self-employed models. In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of brokerages pivoting toward self-employment, where agents work independently rather than as part of a salaried team. This model typically appeals to experienced agents who prefer greater control over their schedules and income, and it’s easy to see the allure. But it’s also reshaping the workforce in ways that have made it tougher for high street and corporate agencies to retain and develop talent.

Self-employed brokerages are primarily targeting seasoned agents - professionals with years in the field, robust client networks, and deep industry knowledge. They’re not recruiting trainees or recent hires; they want agents who already know the ropes and are ready to hit the ground running. This has created a divide: high street and corporate agencies are now left with a workforce increasingly made up of new starters, many of whom lack the experience and skills needed to excel in this demanding environment without real support around them.

Inexperience on the High Street

This talent gap is stark. With so many experienced agents shifting to self-employed brokerages, high street and corporate agencies are finding themselves as training grounds for new entrants who often lack the support and mentorship needed to thrive. These agencies are now burdened with not only recruiting but also developing talent - a task that’s become harder as more skilled agents leave for better paid roles in other sectors.

This dynamic puts extra pressure on these newer agents, who are now required to manage the same high levels of client service and complex transactions as their more experienced counterparts. Many feel they’re thrown in at the deep end with minimal guidance, leading to burnout and early exits. In fact, recent stats show that over 60% of new agents leave within the first 18 months, citing reasons such as lack of support, overwhelming admin, and high-stress levels.

Making Agency Appealing Again

At Open Moove, we believe there’s a better way to make estate agency appealing, even in this new landscape. By automating the repetitive tasks and fostering real collaboration between agents and other property professionals, we make it possible for all agency types to focus on building supportive environments for new agents. Our platform simplifies the process, so agencies can spend less time on administration and more time investing in their people. This allows them to retain those who might otherwise leave due to burnout and to attract new talent by offering a workplace that values connection over bureaucracy.

Our platform is designed to bring back the ‘human’ aspect of the job, which makes retention and recruitment that much easier. Imagine an agency where agents don’t dread admin or the repetitive back-and-forth with third parties. Instead, they’re out there, building lasting client relationships and making sales. That’s the kind of workplace that attracts top talent - and keeps them.

Building a Better Future for Estate Agency

The question we should be asking isn’t just why aren’t skilled people joining estate agency? but rather, how can we make estate agency a job they want to stay in? With tools that streamline the process and bring the focus back to people, we can build an industry that’s not only productive but genuinely enjoyable to be involved in.

At Open Moove, we’re not just making the job easier - we’re making it more meaningful. And in an industry built on relationships, that’s what really matters.