You’ve finally found the perfect hire for your team, but now the real work begins: keeping them. Top-performing teams thrive on key success factors – they are engaged, motivated and committed for the long term.

In the competitive and ever-evolving real estate industry, retaining top talent is essential. Losing a team member can disrupt operations, client relationships and business growth.This is why retention is a critical strategic priority for your business.

Why retention matters in real estate

Retaining your top talent can be a unique challenge. Whether it’s high-performing agents, administrative professionals or management roles, employees in real estate often deal with unpredictable hours, demanding clients and market fluctuations. Keeping your professionals engaged ensures consistent client relationships, reduced turnover costs and improved morale and productivity.

Retention starts in the beginning: recruiting the right people

To set the stage for hiring a long-term candidate, you need to have a strategy to recruit the right person –someone who fits your team’s culture, understands the unique demands of real estate, and is eager to grow with you and your business. To do this, focus on the soft skills required to be successful in Real Estate. 

Ask yourself these questions:

• Adaptability: Can they adapt with ease and move forward in a constantly shifting market?
• Strong communication: Do they have the personality to build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues?
• Problem solving: Can they think critically and propose solutions when unique situations arise?
• Time management: Can they manage multiple priorities, pivot when other demands come up, and stay focused under pressure?
• Resilience: Can they handle high-pressure moments that come with the job with ease?

Strategies for retaining top talent in real estate

Once you’ve hired your candidate, keeping them engaged and thriving requires strategic effort: 

• Professional development opportunities: Real estate professionals want to know that you are invested in their success by creating opportunities to advance their skill set. Offer training sessions, mentorship programs and opportunities to learn about new technologies, such as CRM systems or marketing platforms. 

• Recognition and rewards: Success in this industry often comes with high stakes and hard work. Acknowledging your team’s contributions – whether through performance bonuses, public recognition or small gestures of appreciation – keeps morale high and employees motivated.

• Offer flexibility: Work-life balance is a key component to working professionals. While employees may have to accommodate client schedules, offering flexibility in administrative or support roles helps employees manage their personal lives without feeling burned out.

• Foster a positive culture: Real estate is demanding, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Create an atmosphere for open communication and offer opportunities to provide feedback with an atmosphere of support. Small actions such as a quick thank you, regular check-ins and team-building activities can make a big difference.

• Provide clear growth opportunities: Employees are more likely to stay when they see a future with your company. Map out career paths, whether it’s promoting administrative staff into leadership roles, or offering your sales team opportunities to specialize in high-value markets. Create open communication and cheer them on as they grow in their roles. 

The Canadian real estate industry is unique, fast-paced, and ever-changing. As you set your goals for 2025, whether you are growing your team from 1 to 2 employees or building a large team, be sure to set the foundations of success by hiring for soft skills, providing support and engagement to your employees by setting them up for success from day one. By doing this, your new hires will go from good to great. 

Retention is easier when you have the right recruiting team supporting your efforts. At Forge Performance, we don’t just fill positions; we build lasting partnerships with real estate companies to meet hiring and retention needs. By recruiting with retention in mind, we identify candidates who align with your core values, expectations for growth and long-term success. 

Visit our Forge Performance website at forgeperformancegroup.ca/ and let us help you attract, retain and engage the best talent in the business. Together, we’ll ensure your real estate team is built to last.