Peter, I do believe that is a one size fits all blanket answer. It really depends on the person, what they bring to the table in terms of knowledge base, and their work ethic.  It's not the number of hours one works, it is what they do with those hours ... how effective they are.  Do they spend 20% of their time doing things that generate 80% of their business?  Or do they spend 80% of their time doing things that generate 20% of their business?

Too many variables in this question... but I don't know how any successful agent can be truly so without a minimum of a 40 hour week.

It depends on how well organized you are and how well established you are. One could write a book on the subjet.  A

Define 'Success'

I'm usually at it 10-11 hours a day during the week and then about 5 or 6 hours on Saturdays, but that depends on whether or not I'm with clients.  Sundays I reserve for my family, but I will go out with clients if that's the only day they can make it happen.

I never counted hours....I worked until my work was complete and never spilled it over to the next day....

Peter Mohylsky It greatly depends on the individual if they are working harder or smarter.

LOL Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland!  It took that for me during the downturn!  Now, it's more like 60.

 All 168

Lots of things can be identified as part of the "business" that may influenced the total amount of time - in addition, IMO it changes over time as the business begins to take hold and become successful.

In the beginning My husband and I spemt no less than 60 - hours a week, often as much as 80 hours - mostly because we were in a new industry, and an area that historically did not allow "outsiders" to enter.

Today, we've turned it down quite a bit averaging 40-50 hours (and sometimes even less when needing a break) depending on tasks required for customers.

As you indicate, the term success is nebulous.  I trully "all in" full-time agent will most likely spend 40 - 60 hours on and in various activites of the business.  So many variables.  

Set your goals. Develop your plan to make your goals a reality. Adjust accordingly. Only then will you know how much time it will take. Then, because of time constraints you may have to alter your plan or adjust your goals!

Varies day to day and generally for me six to eight hours.

5 minutes a day working ON their business.

There must be understood a difference exists between working On business and working IN their busines..

This 5 minute agent has a closed vertical market.

"Realistically" is as nebulous as 'successful' agent.

However, a measure that is observable is 20% of an agents activity is what leads to revenue. If the agents daily activity is 2 hours, those 24 revenue minutes need to be focused.

Success is measured in many different forms. If your business plan is followed as you have scripted for the year and you have obtained those goals, success was certainly  acheived.  The countless hours to achive those final results are irrelevant. Just remember no matter what you do it takes work, real estate success is not any different!

I work from 40-60 hours providing me with a full pipeline and repeat business.

Loved Kathleen Daniels answer!!

I do not believe it is about ''how much time'' you spend but how you choose to use that time. A lot of us are extremely busy, yet with no result. 

It depends on how well organized you may be but I would think at least 30-40...

It depends.

Oh what a loaded question! If that part time agent genuinely wants to grow into a full time successful (defined probably as ability to leave current income source), they need a good  mentor, consistent attention to their new field and, my guess only, a minimum of 4 hours a day working ON their business (and then whatever is being requested of them to work IN their business).  And of course, as pointed out by many, there are loads of factors that can influence outcomes but there's one girl's opinion.  ;)

9am-3pm Monday - Friday

Both parts of this are so variable that it is hard to say.

Peter Mohylsky - good question.

It is not about the hours the successful people put in as an 'operation officer' - it is all about connecting with people and act as 'CEO'!

Interesting questions Peter.

Need to pin down successful first. For example, 10 sides a year might a great year for agent A but a very dismal year for agent B. Computing the time spent on each transaction is equally perplexing. Who tracks minutes spent on this and that? Plus tracking the time spent on deals that fizzle is equally challenging and makes a credibile answer impossible.

I spend 45 to 50 now. In the past I have spent 60-80. Many new agents start off spending around 40 hours and then slack off when they don't get immediate results. What they should do is crank it up a notch.

40-50 hours a week of focused time

I don't think there is one answer to this one.  There are too many variables. 

It will be different for each agent.

 40 to 60 if a system is in place.

That has to many variable to give a solid answer

Minimum 40 hours a week, just like any job. But, since we own our own businesses, 60 hours seems to happen regularly.

This would be hard to answer.

Hi Peter - Mary and I tracked it for a while - the lowest was 55 and the highest was 70+. Easy money.

On?  Maybe they have someone hired to do that for them.  The marketing for new business aspects can be the "on" part, like what Barbara Todaro does.  Really varies.

It varies from week to week.  There is no one size fits all.

This is your career and your profession.  Every full time worker is expected to spend at least 40 hours a week.  To be really successful, most put in much more - especially starting off.

Likely more than 40 and less than 168 hours.... as for me it is probably about 50-60 (assuming I am successful!).

The smarter you are and the more virtual you are, the less time you spend in actual work and the more time you have for research and leisure.

Its really the business that decides that. Then, at some point, we manage it all

Peter,

I will depend on how successful the agent wants to be. One can spend alot of hours not making any money. A transaction can also be completed in one hour and close in 7 days and make alot of money.

Too many variables.   

Time spent on their business can be just plain busy but is it "productive"? Someone can be "working" 50 - 60 - or more hours yet not be as "successful"(however that is defined) as someone "working" fewer hours.   

Too many to count.

The successul agent hires help unless one wants to keep every penney for himself/herself.....

Those brag who are so successful are bragging. " I am the best,  I will not take any listing under 4% because I can sell..."   They are BS.....