Real estate agents thrive on closing deals, helping clients, and building strong networks. But some discover that their strengths and interests lie in organization, process management, and behind-the-scenes efficiency rather than sales and negotiations. If you enjoy structuring transactions, managing paperwork, and keeping deals on track, switching careers to transaction coordination might be a natural fit.
A growing number of agents are choosing to step into this role for its stability, work-life balance, and increasing demand in the industry.
Let’s explore why this shift is happening and how you can smoothly transition.
Why More Agents Are Switching Careers to Transaction Coordination
Many real estate agents start their careers expecting flexibility and financial freedom, only to be overwhelmed by unpredictable commissions, long hours, and a demanding client base. If you’re feeling this pressure, transitioning to transaction coordination may be right.
Why the Shift is Happening
Several factors are driving agents toward transaction coordination:
- Income stability. Commission-based earnings fluctuate based on market trends, client readiness, and economic conditions. Transaction coordinators earn a set fee per transaction, ensuring a steady income stream.
- More structured work-life balance. Sales require availability at all hours—weekends, late nights, and holidays. TCs work primarily during business hours, allowing more time for family and personal commitments.
- Increased demand for transaction coordinators. The real estate market has seen rapid growth in transaction volume, leading more agents and brokerages to seek administrative support. As a TC, your earnings increase with skills and experience.
- Use of technology to simplify tasks. With artificial intelligence and online platforms like transaction management systems, TCs can automate paperwork tracking, compliance checks, and client communication.
Many successful TCs have found that the role allows them to remain in real estate while eliminating the pressures of sales
The Benefits of Becoming a Transaction Coordinator
Switching careers to transaction coordination offers long-term career growth and financial security. Unlike sales-driven roles, it provides predictability while allowing agents to use their contracts, negotiations, and compliance expertise.
Key Benefits
- Predictable earnings. Transaction coordinators earn per file, meaning consistent income without the stress of deal closures. Some brokerages hire full-time TCs with diem expenses and salaries, providing additional financial security.
- Lower emotional stress. Agents often deal with challenging clients, last-minute deal cancellations, and market shifts. As a TC, your focus is on administrative tasks and ensuring transactions move forward smoothly, reducing emotional strain.
- Remote work opportunities. Many coordinators operate entirely online, handling transactions for multiple agents from anywhere. This eliminates commuting costs and provides a sound career choice for those seeking flexibility.
- Career growth and skill development. As you gain experience, you can take on specialized training, grow into a team leader, or expand your services to include compliance consulting, document auditing, or property management support.
- Job security in an evolving market. The reliance on property management services and transaction coordination is rising, making this role an essential part of real estate operations.
How Technology Supports the TC Role
Transaction coordinators handle multiple deadlines, documents, and communications at once, making organization essential. The right tools help TCs stay efficient and keep transactions on track.
Allyson Kurak, Owner of Stitched Real Estate, emphasizes the importance of using software from the start: “My number one piece of advice is no matter how many deals you have, even if it’s 0, I would highly recommend investing in some type of software, some type of transaction management software. Because you need one central place to track all of your deals.”
Platforms like ListedKit allow TCs to manage contracts, track key dates, and collaborate with agents seamlessly. Whether you’re just starting or scaling your business, adopting transaction management software early helps streamline workflows and build a solid foundation for long-term success.
Market Trends and the Growing Need for Transaction Coordination
While real estate transactions fluctuate yearly due to economic conditions, the demand for transaction coordination remains strong as agents and brokerages prioritize efficiency.
Agents focusing on lead generation and negotiations often require dedicated support to handle paperwork and compliance, ensuring that transactions progress smoothly.
Here are some reasons driving the continued demand for transaction coordination:
What’s Driving the Demand for Transaction Coordination?
- Fluctuating Home Sales and Market Adjustments
- According to NAR, existing home sales reached 4.15 million in December 2024, the highest since February, with a 9.3% year-over-year increase—the strongest in over two years. However, pending home sales fell by 5.5%, with contract signings dropping across all U.S. regions, signaling a potential slowdown in future transactions.
- Agents are turning to transaction coordinators to manage paperwork, deadlines, and compliance, ensuring deals close smoothly despite shifting market conditions.
- Brokerages & Teams Scaling Their Operations
- Many mid-to-large brokerages have adopted in-house or remote transaction coordinators to improve efficiency and meet compliance standards.
- Some real estate teams report a 25% increase in productivity after hiring a TC, as it allows agents to focus on revenue-generating activities.
- Technology Driving Operational Efficiency
- AI-powered document management and transaction coordination software now allow TCs to handle more files efficiently, reducing errors and speeding up transaction processes.
- Platforms like ListedKit help TCs manage tasks, ensuring a smoother closing process for agents and clients.
What This Means for Transaction Coordinators
The role of a transaction coordinator keeps evolving as real estate professionals look for more efficient ways to manage deals.
With transactions becoming more complex and compliance requirements increasing, agents need strong administrative support to keep contracts on track and prevent deals from falling through.
If you’re a TC or thinking about becoming one, staying ahead of new systems and processes is essential.
Agents and brokerages rely on transaction coordinators who can adapt to changing regulations, use automation tools, and improve transaction accuracy.
Real Stories: Agents Who Successfully Made the Switch
Switching careers to transaction coordination offers more stability, but making the leap can feel uncertain. Here’s how three former agents turned their skills into thriving TC businesses.
Jennifer Connolly: Building a Scalable Business with Balance
After 15 years in real estate, Jennifer Connolly knew the stress of long hours and unpredictable income. She wanted a way to stay in the industry without sacrificing time with her family.
Jennifer built Sidekick Services, a transaction coordination company designed to run efficiently without nonstop work. She expanded her business beyond her local market by setting up structured systems and automation.
Now, Jennifer helps other TCs increase their workload without burnout, proving that growth doesn’t have to mean working 24/7. Watch our talk with Jennifer Connolly here.
Josie Flanigan: Turning TC Operations into a Business Model
Josie Flanigan started as an agent but realized she preferred process optimization over selling homes. She transitioned into transaction coordination and then launched TC Optimize, a company that helps TCs and agents improve efficiency.
Now, she helps others scale their TC businesses by cutting out inefficiencies and using the right tools to stay organized. She provided great advice on how to grow your TC business here.
Chelsea Wright: From Sales to Systems Expert
Chelsea Wright started in real estate as a telemarketer, later became an agent, and eventually found her best fit in transaction coordination. She used her experience to help scale a real estate team from 27 to 264 agents in under two years.
She now owns a transaction management company and coaches TCs and agents on increasing income without losing work-life balance. Her process management and training expertise has helped hundreds of real estate professionals grow their businesses while working smarter.
Check out our conversation with Chelsea in this webinar if you want to learn how to build an efficient process for efficient handling of paper work
Many transaction coordinators use ListedKit to manage tasks, ensuring that every deal progresses smoothly. The right system makes handling multiple transactions manageable, allowing TCs to take on more clients and grow their careers.
How to Transition from Agent to Transaction Coordinator
If you’re ready to shift into transaction coordination, follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition.
1. Build the Right Skills
- Strong administrative task experience
- Editing skills for reviewing contracts
- Teamwork skills to collaborate with agents and lenders
- Knowledge of real estate market regulations
2. Choose Your Career Path
- Mid-level or senior level. Some start as in-house TCs and move up in brokerages.
- Independent TC business. Others work on their own, managing transactions for multiple agents.
3. Gain Specialized Training
- Enroll in certification courses to strengthen your technical knowledge in contract management and compliance.
- Consider on-the-job or hands-on training at a brokerage to learn the processes firsthand.
4. Master Transaction Coordination Software
- Learn software platforms like ListedKit to manage documents, deadlines, and communication.
- You can also check some other tools that can help you streamline more real estate workflows.
5. Market Your Services
- If working independently, connect with agents who need a TC.
- Highlight additional skills like organization, contract knowledge, and efficiency.
Making the Shift: Is Transaction Coordination Right for You?
Transitioning from real estate sales to transaction coordination can provide financial stability, work-life balance, and long-term career growth. If you’re considering the switch, here are the key takeaways from this guide:
- Income Predictability. Unlike agents who rely on commission, TCs earn a set fee per transaction or a stable salary, making income more consistent.
- Better Work-Life Balance. TCs typically work standard business hours, avoiding late-night showings and weekend demands.
- Growing Demand. As real estate transactions become more complex, agents and brokerages continue to seek skilled coordinators to manage paperwork and compliance.
- Technology and Automation. Modern platforms like ListedKit allow TCs to streamline processes, manage multiple transactions, and work efficiently.
- Career Flexibility. Transaction coordination offers scalability and long-term job security, whether you work independently or in-house.
Transaction coordination can be a rewarding and sustainable career move if you’re ready to take the next step.
Thinking about making the switch? Get started with ListedKit today!
