You’ve passed the exam, joined a brokerage, and maybe even ordered some shiny new business cards. Congrats! You’re officially a real estate agent.

But if you’re expecting an immediate flood of leads and listings, brace yourself—a license alone won’t cut it.

In an industry where 80% of new agents fail in the first few years, it’s clear that something else makes the difference between “barely surviving” and thriving. That “something else” is practical skills—the ones they don’t always teach you in those pre-licensing courses.

The truth? Passing the exam only teaches you the legal basics. It doesn’t teach you how to actually run a successful business.