--- title: "5 Mistakes That Keep Agents Stuck in Their First Year | Suburban Lifestyle Blog" description: "Most new agents fail not because of the market — but because of these five avoidable errors." lang: en json-ld: --- [![Realty ONE Group Suburban Lifestyle](/assets/logo-X0Be1C8p.png)](/) [Home](/join)[Do the Math](/do-the-math)[Value Check](/quiz)[Blog](/blog)[About](/about) [Buy & Sell](/buy-sell)[Let Us Talk](/get-started) [Back to Blog](/blog) Growth # 5 Mistakes That Keep Agents Stuck in Their First Year 5 min read · January 28, 2025 Share [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Frealtyonegroupsuburban.com%2Fblog%2Fagent-growth-first-year-mistakes&text=5%20Mistakes%20That%20Keep%20Agents%20Stuck%20in%20Their%20First%20Year)[](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frealtyonegroupsuburban.com%2Fblog%2Fagent-growth-first-year-mistakes) The first year in real estate is make-or-break. Roughly 87% of new agents leave the industry within five years. But the agents who survive and thrive share a common trait: they avoided these five critical mistakes. ## 1\. Choosing the Wrong Brokerage The biggest decision you make is not your first listing, it is where you hang your license. A brokerage with genuine mentorship, lead systems, and accountability structures will compress your learning curve from years to months. ## 2\. Trying to Do Everything Yourself New agents often resist asking for help. They want to prove themselves. But real estate is a team sport. The fastest path to production is leveraging experienced partners who have already solved the problems you are facing. ## 3\. Ignoring Systems Without systems for lead follow-up, client communication, and transaction management, every deal feels like reinventing the wheel. Systems create consistency, and consistency creates income. ## 4\. Underinvesting in Marketing The agents who spend nothing on marketing earn accordingly. Even modest, consistent marketing investment, done strategically, will outperform sporadic bursts of activity. ## 5\. Isolating Yourself Real estate can be lonely. Agents who plug into a team or community with shared goals, accountability, and support dramatically outperform lone wolves. The common thread? Environment matters more than talent. Choose your brokerage and your team wisely. Ready to take the next step? [Get Started](/join#contact) ### Larry Amara & Michael Colombo Licensed Realtors in Massachusetts & Rhode Island. Helping agents grow their careers and clients find their perfect home. [](https://www.facebook.com/RealtyONEGroup/)[](https://www.instagram.com/realtyonegroup/)[](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfWKUJUI6FWVkKXo7P4MPtA?view_as=subscriber)[](https://x.com/realtyonenews) ### Quick Links - [Buy & Sell](/buy-sell) - [Join Our Brokerage](/join#why-join) - [About Us](/join#about) - [Contact](/join#contact) ### Get in Touch - [(508) 803-0992](tel:+15088030992) - [(508) 440-4929](tel:+15084404929) - [(508) 851-4845](tel:+15088514845) - [larry.amara@suburbanlifestyle.com](mailto:larry.amara@suburbanlifestyle.com) - [mike.colombo@suburbanlifestyle.com](mailto:mike.colombo@suburbanlifestyle.com) - 949 Main Street, Suite 1F, Walpole, MA 02081 - 85 Main Street, Suite 204, Hopkinton, MA 01748 - 1000 Franklin Village Drive, Suite 102, Franklin, MA 02038 - Rhode Island Coming Soon © 2026 Larry Amara & Michael Colombo. All rights reserved. [Terms of Use](/terms-of-use)[Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy) ![Equal Housing Opportunity](/assets/equal-housing-DFhL39z0.png) Hopkinton Realty Group Inc. DBA Realty ONE Group Suburban Lifestyle. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.