Although the hours are long and often irregular, most agents and brokers also have the freedom to determine their own schedule. Consequently, they can arrange their work so they can have time off when they want it. Many worked part time, combining their real estate activities with other careers. Real estate is sold in all areas, but employment is concentrated in large urban areas and in smaller, but rapidly growing communities. Some large real estate firms have several hundred agents operating out of many branch offices.
Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate organizations.
Under this type of arrangement, the broker pays a fee in exchange for the privilege of using the more widely known name of the parent organization. Although franchised brokers often receive help training salespeople and running their offices, they bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their firm. Real estate agents and brokers are older, on average, than most other workers. Historically, many homemakers and retired persons were attracted to real estate sales by the flexible and part time work schedules characteristic of this field. They could enter, leave, and later reenter the occupation, depending on the strength of the real estate market, family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances.