Why Experienced Agents Say “I Wish I’d Switched Sooner”

For many seasoned real estate professionals, success doesn’t come from selling more homes it comes from selling smarter.

Across Australia and New Zealand, experienced agents are reflecting on their careers and reaching the same conclusion: “I wish I’d switched sooner.”

Behind that statement are recurring themes: higher earnings, less stress, stronger support, brand ownership, and the freedom to finally run their business their way.

Higher Earnings Without Working Longer Hours

One of the biggest surprises agents report after making the switch to @realty is how quickly their income improves.

“I didn’t sell more properties, I just kept more of my commission,” says Brad Barker, who has doubled his earnings since changing models. “It was an eye-opener to realise how much money I’d been leaving on the table for years.”

For many agents, fairer commission structures and lower overheads mean financial growth without burnout. With @realty, you can retain up to 100% of your commission putting your hard-earned income back where it belongs.

Less Admin, Less Stress

Years in the industry often come with layers of admin, compliance tasks, and outdated systems that chip away at productivity.

“I was spending more time managing processes than working with clients,” says Francine Setchell, a Gold Coast agent. “Once that admin load was lifted, I could actually focus on selling and my income jumped by 60%.”

By streamlining systems, automating repetitive tasks, and removing unnecessary bureaucracy, agents are reclaiming hours each week with the @realty CRM. The result? Reduced pressure, better work-life balance, and the freedom to grow at their own pace.

Professional Marketing & Real Support Without the Overheads

Another recurring theme is the value of having a dedicated marketing and support team, without the cost or responsibility of employing one.

“The marketing support completely changed how I present my business,” says Lyn Sills, who has sold over 500 properties. “Listings that used to take hours now take minutes, and the quality is better than ever.”

With in-house marketing and social media teams, agents have everything at their fingertips from property campaigns and branding to digital tools and social content. Faster turnaround times, stronger presentation, and consistent branding mean agents stay competitive in their local markets without doing it all themselves.

Branding Options, The Choice is Yours

Not every agent wants the same path and that’s exactly why @realty offers branding flexibility. You can choose to:

Join the International @realty Brand

Operate under an established, recognised brand with national and international presence. Benefit from strong brand awareness while enjoying high commission, full support, and powerful systems behind you.

OR

Build Your Own Brand with OASIS by @realty

Create and grow your own boutique real estate brand with your own identity, logo, marketing style, website, and market positioning all powered by @realty’s compliance, technology, CRM, automation, and support teams.

You get the independence of owning your brand without the stress, overheads, or risk of opening a traditional franchise.

“They did an amazing job creating our new branded website. Very professional and something we are so proud of,” Karen says. “The marketing team are an absolute pleasure to work with. They work quickly, and all of our marketing looks professional and clean. They make us look like the professional agents we are.”

Whether you want to align with an established international brand or create something uniquely yours the choice is completely yours.

Freedom and Flexibility to Run Your Business Your Way

Perhaps the most powerful shift agents describe is autonomy.

“After owning my own agency for 15 years, I wanted freedom without the stress,” say Sandra and Vincent Haupt. “Now we only need to sell one property a month to earn the same income and we finally have work-life balance.”

Without micromanagement, rigid office structures, or unnecessary KPIs, agents design a business that fits their lifestyle not the other way around.

The Common Thread

Across every story, the regret isn’t about leaving a brand it’s about staying too long in a system that limited growth, income, brand ownership, and wellbeing.

“I honestly wish I’d done it years earlier,” says Patrick D'Arrigo, now retaining up to 100% of her commission. “The difference is night and day.”

Thinking About Making a Change?

If these stories sound familiar, you’re not alone.

Thousands of experienced agents have already taken the leap and many say it was the best decision of their career.

Whether you want to earn more, reduce stress, or finally build your own real estate brand, the opportunity is there.

Sometimes the biggest professional breakthrough comes from finally making the move you’ve been thinking about for years.