It’s a common story: the day is done, the laptop’s closed, and yet your mind is still deep in the deal you’ve been negotiating. For many real estate agents, the line between work and personal life blurs as clients' calls, emails, and texts stretch into the evening. In a profession where success often hinges on availability, switching off can feel impossible. According to SADAG research, a majority of South Africans find it tough to put work aside and relax. And with the relentless demands of the industry, property practitioners are also among those finding it difficult to switch off.
What the numbers show
In October 2024, Prop Data polled property practitioners to find out if they managed to achieve a healthy work-life balance. The results revealed:
71.4% find it difficult to relax.
21.4% sometimes find it difficult to relax.
7.1% don’t find it difficult to relax.
Sandra van Rooyen, Manager at Just Property Hartbeespoort, says the results reflect that boundaries between work and life are increasingly blurred in the industry. “When I first started in real estate in 2014, calling clients outside of office hours was frowned upon unless it was an emergency or if an appointment was set for outside of office hours. 99% of communication was done through the office line or email. It was even discouraged to communicate with a client through WhatsApp,” she says.
Van Rooyen believes the shift came after the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown where all office hours “seemed to be thrown out of the window”. “The pandemic forced most office-based workers and real estate agents to communicate mainly through their cellphones and WhatsApp,” she says. “The casualness and ease of this communication have removed that sense of respect for personal time and ‘out of business hours’ time. Because your cellphone is always on your person, you feel obligated to respond ASAP.”
Always on the clock
Property practitioners are now expected to be available at all hours, juggling client calls, viewings, and negotiations long after traditional office hours have ended. According to Van Rooyen, the presence of technology in real estate, while beneficial, has created challenges for practitioners.
“We have our cellphones in our hands for the majority of the day. If a WhatsApp comes through, you are urged to respond to it immediately even if it is something that can wait until tomorrow,” she says. “It is not likely that you can arrange a viewing with a tenant at 11 pm or get questions answered from a seller that a potential buyer has at that time of the night. But having that unread/unanswered WhatsApp creates an itch that needs to be scratched.”
Van Rooyen adds that being connected 24/7 can push property practitioners to extend working hours, often without taking time to unwind. “It’s easier and much more prevalent to sit on the couch at home and scroll through the property portals on your cellphone rather than keeping this limited to the office.”
Finding that off switch
While disconnecting has become more of a challenge, practitioners are aware that downtime is essential. In the Prop Data poll, many reflected on some of the strategies they use to maintain a good work-life balance and relax after a busy day.
- Setting clear boundaries: Many real estate agents define strict working hours, silencing or turning off their phones after a set time (for example, 6 or 7 pm) and not checking messages until the next morning.
- Limiting device use: Some real estate agents are actively avoiding using laptops or phones in personal spaces, putting devices on silent, setting them to “do not disturb”, or putting them away.
- Embracing their hobbies: From reading a book, playing pool, gardening, exercising, to solving puzzles, real estate agents are prioritising activities that bring them joy. After-work routines are also geared towards self-care whether it’s sipping on wine, listening to music, or cooking a healthy meal.
- Using physical and mental cues: Some real estate agents said that switching from work attire to more comfortable clothes or picturing a door closing to signal the end of the workday helped them disconnect.
- Spending time outdoors: The healing power of nature was a popular destresser, with many real estate agents using long walks, hikes, or beach trips to recharge.
- Making a social connection: Spending quality time with friends, family, or partners helped real estate agents detach from work stress.
- Planning extended breaks: Some real estate agents reported that taking a month-long vacation in remote areas helped them fully disconnect and recharge.
Working in real estate can be demanding, but it’s essential to remember that health and happiness come first. Taking time off allows practitioners to show up refreshed and at their best for clients during working hours while also protecting against burnout.
Creating a life-friendly workplace
The fast-paced nature of real estate and intrusion by tech can leave practitioners feeling drained. Yet, employers can play a vital role in helping their teams establish boundaries and prioritise their well-being. According to Van Rooyen, this can start with a positive office culture that recognises the need for balance in real estate agent lives.
“In our office, we do encourage family time and personal time,” she says. “We don’t push our real estate agents to work on Sundays and after 6 pm. If they want to catch up on emails or admin in that time, they are most welcome, but I would never call them after 6 pm or on a Sunday or expect them to answer my messages if it is not an emergency that can wait until the morning. In turn, they give me the same grace, which I appreciate.”