Confessions of women in real estate: 4 female agents on what it's really like to work in the industry

• Business Insider spoke with four agents about their experiences as women in real estate.

• While their reflections differ, they spoke about challenges in being respected and taken seriously.

• They said at times they have to prove themselves, especially when finances or construction come up.

Women make up the majority of real-estate agents in the US, but some say it isn't always the easiest workplace.

About 65% of all real-estate agents in the US were women in 2023, the most recent year data is available, according to the National Association of Realtors, the industry's largest trade organization. (There are about 2 million brokers in the country, a figure that includes both NAR members and licensed agents who aren't members.) Despite this dominance, women remain relatively underrepresented in leadership roles.

While women have made significant strides in real estate, as well as other male-dominated fields like tech, enduring inequalities and biases still create a culture where some may feel uncomfortable and, at times, marginalized.

A series of accusations of misconduct over the past year and a half has cast a spotlight on how women in the real-estate industry are treated. It's prompted some to look inward and consider whether the profession's traditional practices and lack of uniform safety precautions may have contributed. At the same time, President Donald Trump's administration and other major companies are rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that may benefit women.

To highlight the nuanced, layered reality of being a woman real-estate agent, Business Insider spoke with four brokers from across the country. They candidly shared their experiences, which included being undermined by male colleagues and feeling unsafe during showings.

You'll hear from the agents in their own words, though their reflections have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Bess Freedman, 55, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens in New York

Before becoming Brown Harris Stevens's CEO, I was an agent in New York City. I quickly learned that you have to hustle twice as hard as a woman.

I got a listing early in my career and was excited about it. I recall going to show the apartment, and the seller asked me out on a date. I declined politely and was respectful, and he was too, but it was still unprofessional.

I recall pitching a listing another time when my daughter was just a baby. The seller questioned me incessantly about whether I would have enough time to show the apartment and be available to do my job because I was a new mom.

I thought to myself, "I'm a professional — so what if I have a baby? I can still do my job."

The double standard may have diminished a bit, but if you talk to women all over this country, for the most part, if they're working, they're also managing a household and their kids' schedules.

Regardless, we're still expected to show up with all the weight of our household agendas and be professionals.

The real-estate industry has changed a lot over the years, and women have made incredible progress and gained a lot of power — I don't want to diminish that, but inappropriate comments still exist.

To say we're treated exactly the same or that it's truly equal… I think there's still work to be done.

Danielle Andrews, 30, a broker in Tallahassee, Florida

I was a middle school social studies teacher when I first got my real-estate license. I've been in the industry for nine years.

Initially, I only planned to do real estate part-time to supplement teaching — just summers and a little extra income. However, I discovered my passion for it and have been fully immersed in the industry since 2016. I opened my own brokerage in 2022.

Navigating the industry as a woman has meant balancing breaking stereotypes and maintaining authenticity. It's been a whirlwind journey — not easy, but incredibly rewarding.

Even though the average profile of real estate agents is female, they tend to be more male-dominated when it comes to related fields like inspections, construction, and development. I've lost count of how often a contractor or client has tried to "man-splain" something I'm already well-versed in.

I've had experiences where I've spoken to male inspectors or contractors, and they'll say things like, "Well, you don't or wouldn't know anything about that," or they try to speak above me — as if we're not colleagues and on the same level. Those moments have taught me the value of preparation and confidence.

Safety is another critical aspect of this industry. As real-estate agents, we often meet new people in unfamiliar locations, so it's essential to prioritize our well-being.

Sometimes, sellers forget to secure weapons or belongings, and occasionally, sellers' agents fail to communicate that the seller will still be home during a showing. Entering someone's home can be alarming, and in some cases, people may react out of fear.

I've learned to always share my location with a trusted person, along with the name and details of the person I'm meeting. Most importantly, I've learned to trust my instincts. If something feels off, I take precautions.

I'll do some due diligence, especially if I get a gut feeling that something isn't quite right.

We have a benefit through our local board association called Forewarn. It's an app that allows you to search for someone by name or phone number and shows their criminal history and public records.

I also tend to do research on social media if I'm unsure about someone, especially if they weren't referred to me by a family member or someone I know.

If something still seems off, my last two measures are to take another agent with me — preferably a male. Sometimes, my husband has come along to showings for added presence.

No transaction is worth compromising your safety.

Lindsey Harn, 38, a real-estate agent in San Luis Obispo, California

I love real estate because I believe there is endless potential for all agents regardless of their education, socioeconomic status, gender, or sexual orientation. You don't need a fancy degree if you are willing to work hard to make it happen.

In many ways, I think being a woman in this business is a huge advantage. Buying or selling a home is someone's biggest investment and can be very emotional for both the buyer and seller. Women can be a bit softer, more sensitive, and more detail-oriented regarding homebuying and selling.

That said, having entered the business at a young age, I know that older men sometimes view younger women as weak or unknowledgeable enough to enter negotiations.

I remember when I was about 22, I came to a showing with a local attorney, and he said, "Oh my god, you're the youngest real-estate agent I've ever seen."

Another time, while working with a male colleague, I had a client in his 70s who was ready to make an offer. You could tell he wasn't comfortable discussing finances or finalizing the deal with a young woman. So he asked my business partner to step in for what I guess he considered "manly" negotiations.

As my age and confidence grew, situations like this became less of a factor. But I definitely remember those moments when being young and female felt like a disadvantage.

Mallory Bogard, 39, a broker in New York

I started my real estate team at the beginning of 2020 with my husband.

I have the unique perspective of running my company with a man by my side, which has really shed light on how people receive messages from men versus women.

Women can be just as capable — or even more capable — but the buy-in is often higher when a man says it. Men sometimes have an influence over people that women struggle to garner. I've witnessed how this plays out in business many times.

Sometimes, I can deliver the same message as my husband, but how it's received changes depending on who delivers it.

For example, sometimes, we have to make recommendations that go against what our client wants. This could be about price, timeline, or entering a challenging market. We may need to deliver tough news, like, "I know you need this number, but I don't think we'll be able to get it right now."

When my husband delivers the bad news, clients are often more accepting, thinking, "OK, he's done everything he can." However, they feel I need to do more when I deliver the same message.

I'm cognizant of removing emotion from message delivery. To be quite frank, I feel like I have to provide more facts and do more research when having tough conversations than my husband does.

I'm doing everything I can to teach the women on my team how to combat this double standard.

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