The pandemic permanently changed expectations around workplace flexibility, and real estate has had to adapt. While agents inherently work outside the office showing properties, the broader real estate workforce has embraced remote and hybrid arrangements.
Transaction coordinators lead the remote work trend. With document management now largely digital, many TCs work entirely from home, supporting multiple agents or even multiple brokerages. This model benefits firms by expanding the talent pool beyond their immediate geography and often reducing costs.
Marketing and administrative roles have similarly gone hybrid. Social media managers, graphic designers, and listing coordinators can perform most tasks remotely, coming to the office for specific needs like professional photoshoots or team meetings.
Even agents themselves have redefined what "office presence" means. Many successful agents maintain home offices for administrative work and client communications, using brokerage offices primarily for meetings and collaborative work. This shift has implications for how brokerages design and utilize their physical spaces.
For hiring managers, remote work capabilities have become a key consideration. Candidates increasingly expect flexibility, and firms that mandate five-day office presence face competitive disadvantages in recruiting. The challenge lies in maintaining culture and collaboration in distributed teams.
Technology plays a crucial role. Video conferencing tools, collaborative document platforms, and project management systems enable effective remote work. Training staff on these tools—and establishing clear norms for their use—is essential for hybrid success.
The future of real estate work will likely be permanently hybrid. Firms that master this model will attract better talent, reduce overhead, and potentially serve clients more efficiently. Those that resist will increasingly find themselves at a disadvantage.