By: KeyCrew Media
The traditional picture of a real estate agent working alone is changing in Dallas-Fort Worth and across the country. Justin Nimergood, who leads the Top Gun Team at Epique Realty in Southlake, TX, expects that shift to speed up as the market tightens over the next year.
Justin has been studying the numbers behind that trend as part of a keynote on culture he is delivering to fellow Epique Realty agents in Oklahoma. The figures he cites point in one direction.
What the Numbers Show
According to figures Justin shared, the average realtor today has about 13 years of experience, the median age is 57, and about 21% of agents work on a team. Over the next 12 to 24 months, he expects that profile to shift toward a median age of 47 or 48, around 10 years of experience, and more than 58% of agents on teams.
“I look at a stat like that, and I instantly say, well, why is that?” Justin said. His answer is strength in numbers.
Why Downturns Push Agents Toward Teams
When the market slows, top solo producers usually make it through. Part-time agents and solo agents who are not at the top are hit hardest. Many end up returning to traditional jobs, and their plan to build a full-time real estate career ends there.
Justin also expects consolidation, with larger brokerages buying smaller ones. That will leave many agents looking for a new home. In his view, brokerages now understand that they have to give agents a real platform and support system. If those agents do not succeed, the brokerage will not either.
That is why he believes teams are moving from optional to essential. Outside of top solo producers who prefer working alone and part-timers doing a few deals a year, he expects most full-time agents to be on a team.
“Anyone that’s serious about their business moving forward, they’re going to find a team,” he said, “and they’re going to find a team that feels like home to them.”
The Real Downside Is Choosing the Wrong Team
Joining a team is not automatically the right move. The most common objection is cost, since team agents typically pay an additional split.
Justin says the bigger risk is fit. “If you join the wrong team, you’re in the wrong culture, you’re in the wrong fit, and it doesn’t serve you, then yes, there could be a downside,” he said.
On splits, he believes the right team more than pays for itself. “If you’re on the right team, those splits do not matter,” he said. His reasoning is that agents surrounded by like-minded people can grow their production well beyond what they would reach on their own.
Questions to Ask Before You Join
For agents weighing a move, a few practical questions help separate a good fit from a costly mistake:
- What does the culture look like day to day? Ask current agents, not just leadership, and see whether their answers match.
- What comes with the split? Training, leads, and technology should be clearly defined, not vague promises.
- Does leadership invest in agent development? A team focused only on production may not help you grow.
- Would you feel at home there? Justin’s own test is whether a team feels like family, because that is what keeps agents committed through a slow market.
Culture is the core of Justin’s message to other agents, whether they lead a team or work with a small group of support staff. As more agents move away from solo work, the question for most will be less about whether to join a team and more about which one.
About the Expert: Justin Nimergood is the founder of Top Gun Team at Epique Realty and principal of Nimergood Real Estate, specializing in residential real estate across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and California. Learn more at TheTopGunTeam.com.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.
