The real estate market—and the real estate profession itself—is at an inflection point. Moderating prices, longer decision cycles, changing compensation models, and rapid technology adoption are redefining what it means to be a successful Realtor®.

The future belongs to agents who combine high-touch guidance with high-tech efficiency, as the era of “easy leads” and purely transactional brokerage continues to fade, according to the 2026 Swanepoel Trends Report.

Moving Beyond a “Transactional” Approach       A purely transactional business model focuses on processing deals—paperwork, access, and speed. Today, technology and integrated platforms can already handle much of that work. Transaction execution is no longer the differentiator; it’s the baseline.

What clients now value most is judgment, strategy, and advocacy—the hallmarks of a trusted advisor.

The real estate market—and the real estate profession itself—is at an inflection point. Moderating prices, longer decision cycles, changing compensation models, and rapid technology adoption are redefining what it means to be a successful Realtor®.

The future belongs to agents who combine high-touch guidance with high-tech efficiency, as the era of “easy leads” and purely transactional brokerage continues to fade, according to the 2026 Swanepoel Trends Report.

Moving Beyond a “Transactional” Approach       A purely transactional business model focuses on processing deals—paperwork, access, and speed. Today, technology and integrated platforms can already handle much of that work. Transaction execution is no longer the differentiator; it’s the baseline.

What clients now value most is judgment, strategy, and advocacy—the hallmarks of a trusted advisor.

The real estate market—and the real estate profession itself—is at an inflection point. Moderating prices, longer decision cycles, changing compensation models, and rapid technology adoption are redefining what it means to be a successful Realtor®.

The future belongs to agents who combine high-touch guidance with high-tech efficiency, as the era of “easy leads” and purely transactional brokerage continues to fade, according to the 2026 Swanepoel Trends Report.

Moving Beyond a “Transactional” Approach       A purely transactional business model focuses on processing deals—paperwork, access, and speed. Today, technology and integrated platforms can already handle much of that work. Transaction execution is no longer the differentiator; it’s the baseline.

What clients now value most is judgment, strategy, and advocacy—the hallmarks of a trusted advisor.

The real estate market—and the real estate profession itself—is at an inflection point. Moderating prices, longer decision cycles, changing compensation models, and rapid technology adoption are redefining what it means to be a successful Realtor®.

The future belongs to agents who combine high-touch guidance with high-tech efficiency, as the era of “easy leads” and purely transactional brokerage continues to fade, according to the 2026 Swanepoel Trends Report.

Moving Beyond a “Transactional” Approach       A purely transactional business model focuses on processing deals—paperwork, access, and speed. Today, technology and integrated platforms can already handle much of that work. Transaction execution is no longer the differentiator; it’s the baseline.

What clients now value most is judgment, strategy, and advocacy—the hallmarks of a trusted advisor.