When Big Numbers Don’t Tell the Full Story
If you’ve been watching commercials, browsing Zillow, or interviewing agents here in Central Florida—whether in Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, or Orlando—you’ve probably seen some pretty eye-popping numbers.
“We sell 800 homes a year.”
“We do $100 million in production.”
“We sell 2.5 homes per day.”
Sounds impressive, right?
Well… not so fast.
Let me explain what’s really going on behind the scenes—and why it matters more than you might think.
How Production Numbers Can Be Misleading
In a traditional real estate transaction, when I close a deal, it’s recorded in the MLS under my name and the brokerage I’m affiliated with.
Pretty straightforward.
But there are brokerages and team structures out there that do things a little differently—and I’ll tell you right now, this is becoming much more commonplace in today’s market.
Here’s what can happen:
- The agent gets credit for the sale
- The broker also gets credit for the same sale
- Sometimes, even multiple people get partial credit
So now, one transaction might be counted two or more times when reporting production.
That’s how you start seeing inflated numbers like:
- 800+ transactions a year
- $100M+ in volume
- “Multiple homes sold per day”
And candidly, while it may be allowed depending on how things are structured, I find it very misleading—and I just think it’s wrong when those numbers are presented as if they belong to a single individual.
Because let’s be honest…
👉 No one person is personally handling that kind of volume.
The Difference Between an Agent and a Team
Let’s be clear—teams aren’t inherently bad.
Some teams are very well run.
But there is a huge difference between:
- An individual agent’s production, and
- A team or brokerage’s combined production
When you see those massive numbers, what it usually means is:
- One person (or a few people) are generating the business
- The work is distributed across multiple agents and staff
- You may not actually work with the person you met
In many cases, that “top agent” you met at the appointment:
- Isn’t the one showing your home
- Isn’t negotiating your contract
- Isn’t answering your calls
Instead, you’re handed off to someone else on the team.
Why This Matters to You as a Buyer or Seller
Real estate is not a commodity service.
It’s personal.
It’s emotional.
It’s one of the largest financial decisions you’ll ever make.
So you need to ask yourself:
👉 Do you want a system… or do you want a professional?
Because those are two very different experiences.
With large teams, you may find yourself:
- Talking to multiple people
- Repeating your situation over and over
- Waiting on callbacks from someone unfamiliar with your file
With a true one-on-one agent relationship, you get:
- Direct communication
- Consistent guidance
- Someone who knows your situation inside and out
What to Ask When Interviewing an Agent
Here are a few simple questions that will quickly clarify things:
- “How many homes do you personally sell each year?”
- “Will I be working directly with you?”
- “Who handles showings, negotiations, and communication?”
- “If I call you, will you be the one answering?”
If the answers start getting vague… that’s your sign.
My Approach (And Why It’s Different)
I’ve always believed this business should be relationship-driven, not assembly-line driven.
I personally average:
- 60–70 transactions per year
- $25M–$35M in annual production
And when you hire me, you’re not getting a system.
You’re getting me.
You can call. I answer.
You have a question. I know the answer.
You need strategy. I’m the one advising you.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about how many homes someone claims to sell.
It’s about how well your home is handled.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of great agents out there.
There are also a lot of great teams.
But transparency matters.
And understanding who is actually doing the work on your behalf is critical to your success.
This trend of inflating production numbers is becoming more common, and it’s something I think consumers need to be aware of.
Because in real estate, bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Thinking About Buying or Selling?
If you’re considering making a move anywhere in Central Florida—including Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, or Orlando—I’m always happy to have a conversation and walk you through your options.
📞 407-948-8295
🌐 https://www.daviddorman.com
🌐 https://www.liveinorlandofl.com
When you hire David Dorman, you GET David Dorman.