Entering 2026, 32% of real estate agents surveyed by Inman Intel considered leaving the industry—a rate 1.5 times higher than at the start of the year. While the 2024 “fence-sitters” were primarily driven by industry upheaval and the initial NAR settlement rules, the motivations shifted significantly by late 2025.

According to Intel’s analysis, the primary reasons for the spike in exit considerations in 2025 included:

Drastic Loss of Transaction Revenue: This became the most prominent factor in 2025. Approximately 11% of agents who considered leaving reported conducting zero transactions over the past year, nearly double the 7% reported in late 2024.
Thinning Pipelines: The struggle to find clients reached critical levels. 64% of agents on the fence reported a “substantially lighter” buyer pipeline compared to the previous year, while 39% reported the same for their listing pipelines.
Negotiation Friction: Agents reported increasing friction with buyer clients attempting to negotiate lower compensation following the national policy shifts.
Dissatisfaction with Leadership: There was a notable rise in dissatisfaction with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Half of the surveyed agents felt dues were too high for the value received, and 36% believed leadership lacked a clear vision for the industry.
Shifting Priorities in Brokerage: For those who did not leave but switched companies, the motivation changed from seeking better commission structures in 2024 to pursuing better technology in 2025.
Market Stagnation: A “multi-year slog” of high mortgage rates and low inventory pushed agents at the “bottom rung” of the industry to reconsider their career choice as the market failed to provide quick returns.