If you’ve ever scrolled through property listings and thought, “Hey, I could sell that,” you’re not alone. While most young people are surviving off instant noodles and debating which degree will actually land them a job, a growing number are skipping the traditional career route and jumping straight into real estate. No boring nine-to-five, no years of studying just to be unemployed at the end – just commission, hustle, and a whole lot of character-building rejection.
Brayden Marlow (22), rental specialist for Southern Suburbs, was pulled into the industry thanks to his aunt, who told him there was an opportunity in rentals. One thing led to another, and now he’s out there closing deals while some of his old classmates are still figuring out what they’re going to do with their degree. “As younger agents trying to break into the industry, we’re more hungry for success,” states Brayden.
Saamya Khalid (20), rental specialist for Southern Suburbs, has a different story – she’s balancing a full-time real estate career and university. That’s right, while other students are worrying about essays, she’s negotiating leases, securing tenants, and making sure her deals don’t fall through at the last minute. “I think it’s not just in real estate, but starting young working anywhere puts you at an advantage because everyone else is going to University and studying first,” Saamya explains.
Some might argue that older agents have the upper hand because of their vast network and experience, and sure, knowing the CEO of every major corporation in town is a flex. But connections don’t sell houses – relationships do. “It takes time to build a reputation and trust with clients,” said Stephen Adamo (26), Tyson Properties Double Diamond and rental specialist for Constantia.
And young agents get that. They don’t have to “network” in the traditional sense because they’re naturally connected to an entire generation of first-time buyers and renters.
Saamya, has seen it firsthand. A casual interaction might not lead to a deal immediately, but months down the line, someone she met briefly will message her asking for help finding a place to rent. That’s the power of organic connections, something that isn’t just about age – it’s about the way young agents build trust differently.
Young people simply adapt faster to the industry because of the hunger and drive for success. Stephen suggests that they’re a bit like ‘sponges’ when it comes to taking in new information.
“It takes a lot of passion, drive and energy – not to say that old people don’t have that, but I think we got a little bit more,” said James Waterson (28), area specialist for Noordhoek.
And social media? That’s their playground. While some senior agents are still figuring out how to change their Facebook profile picture, younger agents are using TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn to market properties, connect with potential buyers, and establish their personal brand. Saamya and Brayden agree that growing up with technology has given them a sharper edge.
Of course, not everything about starting young in real estate is sunshine and commission checks. Landlords and clients can be skeptical of young agents. Brayden and Saamya have dealt with it many times. Some people assume they don’t know what they’re doing just because they don’t have 20 years in the game. They also learned that breaking into the higher-end market is tough when clients assume age automatically equals experience and expertise.
Stephen, who has been in the industry for a couple of years now, learned early on that real estate is not the fast-track to easy money that some people think it is. “A lot of people glamourize this industry,” he admitted, “but there’s a lot of groundwork and foundation-building before all of that.” And by groundwork, he means the less sexy parts – cold calls, rejected offers, and more rejection. But, as he and many others have realised, persistence is everything.
With South Africa’s youth unemployment rate at record highs, traditional career paths are increasingly out of reach for many. Real estate offers young people a way to earn quickly and establish a career without the long delays and financial hurdles of other industries.
Tyler Broughton (20), who’s currently interning at Tyson Properties Southern Suburbs, had a totally different idea of what real estate would be like before he started. “Definitely not what I was expecting,” he admitted. Turns out, it’s not all high-commission luxury listings and glamorous showings – it’s long hours, learning the ropes, and getting comfortable with being told no more times than you’d like.
But here’s where young agents win: hustle. Brayden doesn’t care if he’s the youngest in the room because he’s backed by a team with decades of experience. James puts it simply – success in real estate is entirely in your hands.
Starting young means more energy, fewer financial commitments (no kids, no bond payments, no existential crisis about retirement… yet), and a higher risk tolerance. James believes young agents are naturally better at handling the uncertainty that comes with commission-based earnings. “In a traditional career, there’s usually a cap on how much you can earn,” he pointed out. “In real estate, that’s determined entirely by you.”
So, what’s the endgame for these young agents? It’s pretty unanimous – they want to hit double diamond status. That’s the dream. But if you ask Tyler, he answers in simple Gen-Z fashion: “I can’t wait to make a lot of money.” Fair enough.
So, should more young people consider real estate? Absolutely. It’s tough, competitive, and definitely not a get-rich-quick scheme, but for those willing to grind, adapt, and push through the challenges, the payoff is massive. As James put it best, “This industry is tough, but success comes to those who refuse to quit.”
And if there’s one thing these young agents have in common, it’s that quitting isn’t in their vocabulary.
This article was proudly sponsored by Abrahams & Gross Attorneys.
