The Real Problem in Real Estate

Beyond the Headlines

The NAR settlement changed the rules of engagement, but not the game itself. The deeper issue in real estate isn’t commissions — it’s the absence of a sustainable system for people to thrive in.

We’re witnessing the same breakdown across the entire homeownership economy — from trades and inspections to brokerage and contracting. The workforce is shrinking, aging, and largely unmotivated to stay.

That’s not a coincidence. It’s the byproduct of a system that’s structurally misaligned.

A System Without a Middle

Today’s industry has two poles: the sole proprietor hustling alone and the corporation optimizing at scale. Between them is a void — no middle layer where people can find belonging, growth, and shared purpose.

Without that middle, there’s no mentorship, no cultural continuity, and no clear career trajectory. The result is predictable: burnout at the bottom, bureaucracy at the top, and an entire generation opting out.

Labor Is the Infrastructure of Housing

Every home will eventually fail — roofs leak, foundations crack, systems wear out. Without a strong base of skilled professionals, we risk not just inefficiency, but decay.

Labor isn’t a cost center; it’s the infrastructure that preserves national housing value. But our current model treats trades and real estate work as disposable rather than durable.

Culture, Incentive, and Opportunity

Rebuilding the industry means more than technology — it means creating systems that people actually want to belong to.

That includes transparent pay structures, growth paths, shared ownership, and a culture that rewards quality over speed. It means re-engineering incentives so that professionals benefit from the long-term health of the homes and clients they serve.

It’s about bringing dignity back to the work — from tradesperson to broker.

The Next Model: Ecosystem, Not Industry

The future of real estate and home services won’t be defined by who controls listings or leads. It’ll be defined by who builds the ecosystem where collaboration replaces competition and trust replaces opacity.

At Thoughtful, that’s the mission — building a model where technology empowers people, not replaces them; where data aligns incentives, not divides them; and where every homeowner benefits from the strength of the professionals who stand behind them.

Because the home isn’t just a product. It’s a shared responsibility.