When There Is No Work-Life Balance (And Why That Might Be Okay)
Brian Foraker doesn't sugarcoat it.
"There's going to be a time where there isn't a balance, and I think you're just going to have to be okay with that," he told a group of newer agents during a recent training.
He might not be the right person to ask about work-life balance. From the moment he started in real estate, he went all in. That lasted seven years—most of his twenties.
"When I look back, I sacrificed most of my 20s in that. Maybe there should have been a balance. But I think if you want to really get to a high level, you need to have a time where there isn't a work-life balance."
Set the Expectations Early
The key, Brian says, is being honest with the people in your life.
"Set the expectations with the people that are important to you. Let them know: I'm all in on this. If my phone's not ringing, we're in trouble."
That's hard in relationships. The other person might interpret it as you choosing work over them. But Brian reframes it:
"I'm answering the phone for you. Creating a great future with our family is part of my why. In order to do that, I need to answer these calls. If these calls aren't coming in, I'm unemployed."
Real estate agents only get paid on commission. If you're not writing an offer, you're not getting paid. And in a competitive market, if you don't answer the call, the buyer is already dialing the next agent.
Schedule Your Time Off—Then Protect It
For agents who do need boundaries—parents, caregivers, or anyone with non-negotiable commitments—Brian recommends scheduling time off and communicating it clearly.
"Saturday is my day with my family. Make sure all of your leads and everybody knows that. Then go all in on your time with them. Be 100 percent present."
He also suggests outsourcing the low-value tasks that eat into your weekend.
"Don't spend your Saturday mowing your grass, doing your laundry, and buying your groceries. Drop off your laundry at the laundromat for 15 bucks. Pay someone 20 bucks to mow your grass. Use Instacart for another 15. That's 75 bucks total—and now you've got your whole Saturday. You can get a lead and maybe make a couple thousand dollars in commission."
When Free Time Appears, Use It
Brian was scheduled to work until 8:00 p.m. one night. His appointments got cancelled at 5:00.
"I called my mom and said, 'Hey, I'm coming over.' I ate dinner with her. Just making the most of that time."
That's the trade-off. You can't always control when you'll be free. But when you are, spend it with the people who matter.
The Reality
Brian still answers his phone. So does his team. It's part of the job.
"Maybe get someone else in place," he suggests. "Maybe you could have a buddy—you're off Saturday, I'm off Sunday. I don't know. You find a way to make everything work."
There's no perfect answer. But there is an honest one: if you want to build something significant in real estate, there will be a season where balance doesn't exist.
The question is whether you're willing to own that—and communicate it to the people who need to hear it.
FAQ
Did Brian regret sacrificing his 20s?
He didn't say he regretted it, but he acknowledged the trade-off. He's realistic: "Maybe there should have been a balance." But he also believes that reaching a high level requires a period of imbalance.
What if you have kids or other non-negotiable commitments?
Schedule your time off, communicate it to your sphere and leads, and be fully present when you're with family. Outsource low-value tasks to free up time on weekends.
Should newer agents answer their phone 24/7?
Brian does, and he believes it's part of the job in a commission-only business. If that's not sustainable for you, consider setting up a system with a partner or team member to cover off-hours, or use technology like an AI assistant to handle initial responses.
