Being a Realtor: Isn’t It Just Opening Doors and Turning on Lights?
“Isn’t it just opening doors and turning on lights?”
I hear this line constantly. Usually with a laugh. Sometimes with complete sincerity. And occasionally right before someone tells me their cousin, neighbor, or sister just got her real estate license and is going to help them buy or sell a house.
And listen — I understand the instinct.
But real estate is a terrible place to learn on someone else’s dime.
Yes, Anyone Can Get a Real Estate License
Let’s start with the truth.
Yes, anyone can get a real estate license. You take the classes, pass the test, pay the fee, and suddenly you’re licensed.
That part is easy.
What’s not easy is everything that happens after the license is printed.
A license allows participation.
It does not provide experience.
It does not provide judgment.
It does not provide problem-solving skills.
And it definitely does not prepare someone for what happens when a deal starts to unravel.
The Thirty Seconds Everyone Thinks Is the Job
Opening the door.
Turning on the lights.
Walking through the house.
That’s about thirty seconds of the job.
The rest is knowing which homes are worth showing, which ones are overpriced, which buyers are serious, which sellers are unrealistic, and how to navigate all of that without anyone losing their mind.
That knowledge doesn’t come from a class.
It comes from years of deals that didn’t go smoothly.
What Experience Actually Buys You
A seasoned, full-time Realtor brings things to the table that don’t show up on social media:
Access to off-market and hip-pocket listings
Knowledge of homes that will sell quietly and never hit the MLS
Long-standing relationships with builders, lenders, inspectors, and title companies
Pricing strategies based on real buyer behavior, not hope
The ability to spot contract problems before attorneys get involved
Understanding how appraisers think
Managing inspections without killing the deal
Preventing wire fraud
Absorbing stress so clients don’t have to
These aren’t extras. They’re essentials.
What Clients See vs. What Actually Happens
What buyers and sellers experience:
“We bought a house.”
“We sold our home.”
What a very normal transaction looks like behind the scenes:
Around 86 hours of work
More than 40 phone calls
A ridiculous number of texts
Multiple rounds of negotiations
Several inspections
One title issue from years ago
A lender panic moment
A buyer panic moment
A seller panic moment
And at least one point where everyone thinks the deal is dead
That’s not drama.
That’s standard.
And Now, Let’s Talk About Using Your Sister
This is where things get uncomfortable.
“I’m using my sister. She just got her license.”
I understand the motivation. Truly.
But ask yourself this one question:
Are you willing to risk one of the largest financial transactions of your life so your sister can learn?
Because that’s exactly what’s happening.
Your home purchase or sale is not a practice run.
It is not a training exercise.
It is not a favor.
When something goes wrong — and something almost always does — experience is what fixes it.
Your sister may be very smart, very motivated, and very well-intentioned. But she has never handled a deal falling apart late at night, solved a title issue from twenty years ago, navigated multiple inspection disasters at once, protected a client from wire fraud, or negotiated through high emotions without blowing up the deal.
And you don’t want your transaction to be her first time doing any of that.
Why Most Agents Don’t Last
There’s a reason many agents leave real estate within the first few years.
Not because they aren’t capable.
Not because they didn’t try.
But because real estate is emotionally demanding, unpredictable, deadline-driven, and high-stakes. It requires calm decision-making when others are stressed and clarity when emotions take over.
That part doesn’t show up on a licensing exam.
The Agency Oklahoma
Experience That Actually Matters
This is exactly why working with The Agency Oklahoma makes a difference.
The Agency is a globally respected luxury real estate brand based in Beverly Hills, built on collaboration, experience, and sophisticated marketing. But beyond the name, what truly sets The Agency Oklahoma apart is depth of experience and local expertise.
Our team brings:
Decades of combined real estate experience
Deep local market knowledge across Oklahoma
Access to off-market and discreet listings
Strategic pricing and negotiation expertise
High-level marketing and global exposure
Calm leadership during complex transactions
Real estate is not about shortcuts. It’s about protecting your investment, your time, and your peace of mind.
Final Thought
So yes — anyone can get a real estate license.
And yes — sometimes the job involves opening doors and turning on lights.
But the real work happens when deals get fragile, emotions rise, timelines tighten, and money is on the line.
That’s when experience matters most.
And that’s why choosing a seasoned, full-time Realtor — and the right brokerage behind them — is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
Contact
Wyatt Poindexter - Oklahoma Luxury Realtor
Managing Partner, The Agency Oklahoma
405-417-5466
[email protected]
www.WyattPoindexter.com
www.TheAgencyRE.com
