Teams are the Future of Real Estate

In an industry making agents obsolete, teams are the future of real estate.

The Real Estate Agent Isn’t Dead. But the Job Description Sure Is.

It wasn’t long ago that real estate agents relied on open houses, fridge magnets, and yearly check-ins to keep a career alive. But in 2025, the industry is rapidly reshaping — and the solo agent model that once defined it is quickly falling behind.

The pressure is coming from all sides: instant consumer demand, AI-driven platforms, rising expectations for service, and an overwhelming amount of backend work required for each transaction.

“The agent’s role hasn’t disappeared — it’s just evolved,” says real estate coach Tom Ferry, whose network trains tens of thousands of agents each year. “What worked five years ago won’t cut it today. Consumers expect faster response times, better experiences, and deeper expertise. One person can’t wear all those hats anymore.”

Enter the Modern Real Estate Team.

Teams aren’t new — but how they’re built today is different. At their best, they operate more like high-performance companies than a loose group of agents. Shared infrastructure. Defined roles. Tech, admin, and lead generation all centralized. It’s a model that’s leaner, faster, and most importantly — scalable.

“The best real estate teams don’t just help the agent,” says Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams. “They serve the consumer better. Because when the agent isn’t overwhelmed, the client wins.”

The Data Doesn’t Lie.

According to a 2024 NAR study, agents on structured teams closed 48% more transactions on average than solo agents.

An Inman report showed that 82% of team-based agents cited “collaboration and backend support” as the #1 reason for higher income and longer retention.

Meanwhile, solo agents reported spending up to 72% of their workweek on non-revenue generating tasks — like paperwork, follow-up, and marketing.

“Being good at sales isn’t enough,” said Ryan Serhant in a recent interview. “You have to build a system around you — or join one that already exists.”

Inside One of the Most Scalable Teams in the Country: DJ & Lindsey Real Estate

Based in North Florida but growing fast, DJ & Lindsey Real Estate is a real-world example of what this future looks like.

What began as a husband-and-wife team quickly scaled into one of the highest-producing teams per capita in the state — by building systems first, agents second.

At DJ & Lindsey:

• Agents receive hand-delivered, live buyer & seller appointments

• Full-time transaction coordinators, in-house marketing pros, and lead management teams support every deal

• Up to 90% commission splits are paired with coaching, accountability, and collaboration across departments

“We built this for the agent we wished we had support from when we were starting out,” says DJ DellaSala, co-founder and CEO. “This isn’t about micromanaging — it’s about surrounding people with the kind of environment that makes it hard not to win.”

“Consumers demand faster service and more attention,” adds Lindsey DellaSala, COO. “But agents can’t give that when they’re drowning in tasks. Our model clears the clutter so agents can actually show up for their clients — and for their own lives.”

The Evolution Isn’t Optional

This isn’t a fad. It’s the new normal.

Platforms like Zillow, Redfin, and Opendoor continue to pull attention — but real estate teams are the ones winning back trust with real service, fast communication, and local expertise at scale.

And while some brokerages are pulling back resources, DJ & Lindsey is doing the opposite — doubling down on what works.

The result?

Agents writing 45+ deals in 5 days.

Hundreds of new clients a month.

And a culture that rewards effort, not ego.

Not Extinct. Just Rebuilt.

If the old way is crumbling, this isn’t a warning — it’s an invitation. To build differently. To grow smarter. To work together.

Real estate agents aren’t disappearing.

They’re just trading isolation for infrastructure.

Guess who’s going to win?

“You can’t out-hustle a great system. You have to build one. Or join one. That’s the whole game now.”

— DJ DellaSala, DJ & Lindsey Real Estate