What's the Realistic Timeline to My First Commission Check?

You just passed your real estate exam. You're excited, motivated, and ready to make money. So when should you expect that first commission check to hit your account?

Most new agents who actively build their business see their first commission somewhere between three and six months after they start. But here's what no one tells you in pre-licensing class: that timeline stretches to six or nine months if you have a small network or move slowly on lead generation. And during those months, you're spending money, not making it.

Let's talk about the financial reality of your first year in real estate—the honest timeline, why it takes that long, what separates the 13% who survive from the 87% who quit, and the bridge strategy you need to make it through.

The Realistic Timeline: Month 0–12

Think of your first year in phases rather than circling a single date on the calendar.

Months 0–2: Setup and learning. You're getting licensed, joining a brokerage, and learning the systems. You're setting up your MLS access, picking a CRM, and building basic marketing materials. You're spending money here—on dues, tools, business cards, websites—but making zero income. This is the investment phase, and it's necessary.

Months 1–3: Active lead generation begins. You start prospecting: hosting open houses, posting on social media, reaching out to your sphere of influence, maybe buying online leads. For most agents, it takes 30 to 120 days just to find and secure that first serious client and get a contract accepted. You're learning on the go, refining your pitch, and figuring out what lead generation strategies actually work.

Months 3–6: First closing window.This is the most common window for closing your first deal and receiving your first commission check—assuming you've been consistently prospecting. A buyer you met in month two might go under contract in month four and close in month five or six. That's normal timing, not slow.

Months 6–12: Pipeline development.Your pipeline starts filling in. You might close two to five deals total by the end of year one, but income arrives in chunks and still feels fragile. You're building momentum, not stability—yet.

If you're starting with very little sphere of influence, working part-time hours, or approaching lead generation hesitantly, mentally prepare for six to nine months before your first check instead of three to four.

Why It Takes That Long

A few built-in delays make fast money rare in real estate.

Client search time: From first conversation to accepted contract typically takes four to twelve weeks, especially with buyers who need financing or are selective about inventory. You can't force someone to find their perfect home faster than the market allows.

Closing timeline: Once a contract is accepted, financed deals usually take 40 to 50-plus days to close. Cash deals move faster, but they're the exception. And you're paid only after closing—not when the contract is signed.

Skill ramp: New agents need time to learn the market, practice scripts, understand negotiations, and master transaction flow before they convert leads at a high level. Your first few prospects are essentially training opportunities, even if you don't want to think of them that way. Building the right systems from day one can dramatically shorten this learning curve.

Here's an example timeline: You meet a buyer in month two. They look at properties for eight weeks and go under contract in month four. Closing happens 45 days later in month five or six. That's a completely normal timeframe, not a sign you're doing anything wrong.

The 87% Quit Rate—and What the 13% Do Differently

Statistics linked to the National Association of Realtors show that roughly 75% of agents leave the industry in the first year, and about 87% are gone within five years. Those numbers are scary, but they mainly punish agents who underestimate both the financial runway and the daily effort required.

The 13% who survive and thrive typically share four characteristics:

They treat it like a full-time business.They maintain a daily lead generation schedule and a written business plan instead of "seeing how it goes." Real estate is not a side hustle that magically becomes a career. It's a business that demands structure from day one.Understanding systems thinking helps them work on their business, not just in it.

They maintain a financial cushion.They aren't desperate for a deal, which means they can reinvest in marketing and training rather than accepting bad clients or underpricing their services out of panic. Financial pressure creates poor decision-making.

They master follow-up.They consistently nurture leads over months, not just chase "ready now" clients. Most buyers and sellers aren't ready to transact immediately, and the agents who win are the ones who stay in touch until they are.Effective lead nurture systems make this process sustainable.

They plug into coaching, mentorship, or strong brokerage training.They don't try to figure everything out alone. They learn from people who've already solved the problems they're facing.

The failure rate isn't a reflection of real estate being impossible. It's a reflection of agents entering the business without adequate preparation for the financial gap and the daily grind.

Bridge Strategy: Income, Savings, and Expenses

To handle the gap between your start date and your first commission check, you need a bridge strategy that keeps your lights on while you build momentum.

Income Side

Keep or start a flexible part-time job—nights, weekends, remote work, gig economy roles—so you can dedicate prime daytime hours to real estate but still cover your bills. Many brokerages and coaches recommend this approach rather than burning through savings with zero income. You're not failing by keeping a job. You're being strategic.

Savings and Runway

Aim for at least three to six months of living expenses saved before you go all-in. Several real estate training sources suggest a six-month cushion for new agents. In dollar terms for many U.S. households, that's often in the 10,000 to 15,000 dollar range or more, depending on your cost of living and debt load.

Once you do get paid, set aside 25% to 30% of each commission for taxes—some experts recommend up to one-third or even one-half depending on your tax bracket. The IRS doesn't send reminders, and they will come for their share later. Don't let a good commission check turn into a tax disaster.

Expense Side

Build a bare-bones budget. List your fixed expenses: housing, utilities, insurance, debt minimums. Add realistic food and transportation costs. Then cut non-essentials hard for the first year. No one wants to hear this, but your lifestyle needs to match your income—and in year one, your income is likely close to zero for several months.

Separate business expenses from personal expenses. Prioritize only the tools that directly help you generate or convert leads: MLS access, association dues, a basic CRM, essential marketing materials. Skip the fancy branding package and the premium lead services until you've closed your first few deals and know what actually works.Strategic marketing investments deliver better ROI than expensive vanity tools.

An aggressive but realistic plan: keep part-time income for six to twelve months, maintain a 10,000 to 15,000 dollar cushion, and reinvest part of each commission while keeping your personal lifestyle lean.

Simple Financial Planning Template for New Agents

Use this as a one-page working template in a spreadsheet or notebook.

1. Monthly Basics

• Take-home income (from a job, partner income, or other sources)

• Essential living expenses (housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, debt minimums)

• Minimum business expenses (dues, MLS access, marketing, software)

2. Runway Calculation

• Total savings available for the next twelve months

• Divide savings by monthly shortfall (expenses minus non-real-estate income) to see how many months you can last without a commission

• Aim for six-plus months of runway if possible

3. Commission Plan

• Target average commission per deal in your market

• Target number of deals in year one (many new agents close two to four deals)

• For each projected commission, allocate:

  • 25% to 30% (or more) to taxes

  • A percentage to savings or emergency fund

  • A percentage to reinvest in lead generation and marketing

4. Activity Commitments

• Daily and weekly lead generation activities (specific hours and tasks) tied to your income goals

• Your schedule—not the calendar—is what truly determines when you see that first check

If you know your current savings, monthly expenses, and whether you'll keep a job, you can plug real numbers into this template and map out a personal timeline to your first commission.

Conclusion: Plan for the Gap, Then Fill It

The realistic timeline to your first commission check is three to six months for most new agents who work the business hard, and six to nine months for those who start slower or lack a strong sphere of influence. That's not failure—that's just how the transaction cycle works in real estate.

The 87% who quit aren't less talented. They're underprepared for the financial gap and the daily discipline required to fill it. The 13% who thrive plan for the gap with savings, part-time income, and lean expenses. Then they fill it with consistent prospecting, strong follow-up, and a willingness to learn.

Your first commission check will come. The question is whether you've built a bridge strong enough to reach it.Learning outcome-first strategies instead of feature-first approaches can help you reach profitability faster.

If you're a new agent who wants help building the systems that shorten your timeline to success, schedule a discovery call with Rob at The Lesix Agency. We help real estate professionals create the lead generation, follow-up, and business structure that turns those early months into momentum instead of months of waiting. Visit https://lesix.agency/general to get started.