Some people just don't want the responsibility of home ownership.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as they're professional & knowledgeable.  There are plenty of investment channels and real estate is only one.  Many do not want the responsibility of fixing things, maintaining a yard, etc, and are just as happy to pay rent & let someone else handle those things.

I think that's a small percentage.....

I'm sure the % is low but things happen ..just like what Ron and Alexandra Seigel commented. My assistant's husband passed away a year and a half ago..she wanted to sell her big house and got an apartment..for her it is just what she needs until she sorts her life out. Her money s working in other avenues!

WHAT???????

A gourmet chef who doesnt sample the cooking does not know what he is missing...

I heard based on NAR estimates it is higher than any of us would realize. I know several myself that have never owned. 

Some places make sense to rent versus own but I understand your feelings.

I think you found the one, Jeffrey Jones! In all seriousness, I just think about all of the opportunities that agent has passed on over the last 30 years. If it has worked for this agent, I can't knock it. Ask me again in 20 years.

Jeffrey,

Nothing wrong with them.  Sometimes, they have had adverse conditions in their lives.  One of our clients husband passed away and left a lot of debt. She had to sell it, and is still paying off the debts with her real estate earnings.  We also know ultra high net worth individuals who don't own a home and don't want to own one.  They feel their $$$ are earning them more money elsewhere.  A

People make fun of me for the opposite reasons. All the places that I have moved to.

I know very few... mostly young ones that haven't gotten established financially yet.  

That is hard to believe. I would ask why, would love to know

I have owned three through the years and am in between right now as I decide whether to downsize, move or whatever!

Currently renting for the first time in over 45 years!

OMG - this is such a pet peave of mine!

And they try to sell investment property!

I understand some of their logic, but I completely disagree with it! How can you relate the benefits and joys of home ownership if you've never owned other than what you read or have heard?

For me it's like going to a surgeon who only "read" about surgery in a book LOL!

Scary!

I have never asked the question. I do not know.

Interesting

Many agents can not qualify for a mortgage.

I think that happens more than we realize. When I sold in NYC, lots of agents didn't own their own home... just too expensive.

I think that's fine, and as a matter of fact, that person would be great at working with rental clients!

Buying a house does give insight into how the process actually works, but as long as the agent is skilled at the process, it shouldn't matter where they live.

Jeffrey Jones - good question! About 20%?

Wow that is a first Jeffrey. 30 years and no buying experience!

I personally wouldn't want to use an agent if I knew they had never owned a home. However, those are typically new agents. If it were an agent with 30 years experience, it probably doesn't matter!

     I know Property Managers who have never rented.

Some folks are buyers, some are renters.

I am always dismayed by the number of agents who advocate buying real estate while they rent their homes, offices, cars, software, etc.

Seems a bit unusual. I've owned 4 homes and 2 were new construction.

We hadn't purchased a home when we first got into real estate, but I always felt a little weird about it - like I had the knowledge but not the personal experience of going through it myself.  With each home I buy and sell personally whether investment or I have learned more from the client perspective and it gives me more patience and empathy.  I don't know many agents myself that are renters unless they are very new to the business.

I know of one and he is hoping to buy his first home soon.  Selling for 2 years.

It's a little unusual, but fine.

That's a great question.  I do not know any agents in my area that do not own their own home, but this particular agent must have had a very good reason.

Like taking diet advise from one with a 31 BMI.
Sure, they could give you the right information...but they don't BELIEVE.

Every homeless person I ever chatted with knew how to get rich.
Sure, they could give you the right information..but a disconnect exists.

A professional who does not participate in their discipline does not BELIEVE.
They do believe they are fully skilled is the craft of persuasion.

For me, when I'm preparing to conquer the next endurance run, I won't be conferring with someone whose feet have never been laced into a worn set of sneakers.

I have found that just because one has had a license for any number of years does not always equate into an income to sustain buying a home.  That could very well be a reason but I don't know.  

I do know that there are many agents that I know in many markets that have held a license for that long that can't even write a contract.  I know others who have been licensed 1-2 years and own homes and investment properties as well.  

According to the National Average it would be impossible for many to not be able to afford to buy a home. 

According to NAR 

• The median gross income of REALTORS® was $39,200 in 2015, down from $45,800 in 2014.

Here is a link to see more interesting stats on real estate.  

Interesting for sure.

You don't have to cook to eat, I was once told...

I cannot think of an agent in my sphere who has not been/is a home owner.

Wow, the best investment there is.  unreal.

Jeffrey Jones It does seem unusual and far from the norm. Did you as him/her why he/she has not purchased a home. May of had a very good reason.

That is amazing Jeffrey Jones . Most full time Realtors I know not only own their own home but have invested in several as rental income properties as well.

I don't know the answer to your question.  Most agents I know own at least one home. 30 years is a long time in the business ... and never buying a home?

I refrain from being judgmental over a personal choice that doesn't affect me.

It has to be a very small number - I remember my NINJA coach telling us that if you don't own your home, a buyer or seller can't trust that you know what you're doing!

I own several.  Some people either don't want the responsibility of home ownership or don't want to be tied down or have assets that can be held against them.

I don't have a clue.

We are all at different points in our lives with varying circumstances we are facing.  Maybe the time is not right for a real estate agent to purchase a home at this time and that time may never come. 

That is unbelievable to hear

That seems crazy, but do not look up every agent I do business with to see if they own a home.  Only if they do business!