Help Clients with their Biggest Investment as a Real Estate Agent!
- Nela Friesen
- Sep 6, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Table of Contents
About Ken Just and Century 21
Ken Just is a real estate agent in Taber, currently selling and finding homes for clients while working for Century 21. He has a background in construction, so he is knowledgeable about the process of building homes and what to look for when selling or buying a house. He started his real estate career with Royal LePage, but personally didn't enjoy the experience of working for them. He had to choose a different company to work for because, as a real estate agent, being associated with a reputable brand or company is very important to being trusted by the clients. He went with Century 21 because he, funnily enough, "always liked their signs." In his opinion, Century 21 is the only company to work for, saying, "It's the best in town." Within his company, he is an independent agent, but he still has a boss who owns Century 21, who is very knowledgeable on all the different rules and situations you could run into while selling houses for clients, so Ken can go to him for advice.
What is Working as a Real Estate Agent like?
An Average Day
Every day looks different as a real estate agent. In an average day, he could have nothing written in his planner and still be busy all day, as his days can be pretty unpredictable. Some days, he will show people's homes, list them, and evaluate their homes for current market value, where they look at the house, take notes, and then compare that house to similar houses that have sold to see how much the client could sell their house for. It's important to know that the asking price is not the same as the selling price, as there are often negotiations behind the scenes that lead to the house being sold for a different amount than the one shown on listing sites. The selling price is what people really need to know to get the most money possible for their house. The price shouldn't be too low, because then the client could've gotten more for their house. The price also shouldn't be too high because then it won't sell, and when a house is on the market for too long, then people begin to think something is wrong with the house and don't want to buy it even after the price is lowered.
The phone will also ring throughout the day, so Ken has to answer phone calls throughout the day as well. Some agents don't always answer their calls, but in his opinion, this is where they lose business and clients, so he will answer the phone, no matter the hour.
Pay
The pay in this industry is commission-based, so you get a small portion of the amount that each house goes for. Because you get paid per house, you can make a lot of money, depending on how hard you work, whether you are good at your job, and how many houses you can help people buy or sell.
However, with Century 21, you have to pay for all of your own advertising, which isn't always cheap. The agents also have to pay for photographers to take their professional pictures, and they have to pay to rent the office space they work in. As a real estate agent, you can work from home, but Ken prefers having an office as that feels a bit more professional.
Work Conditions
The work is a mix of collaborative and independent work. While the agents work mostly independently, they will occasionally collaborate with other agents if it's needed. It's also important to work together and cooperate with the client when trying to help them buy or sell a house. Being kind to everyone you meet will get you a lot further in the industry than having too much pride, for example, which will drive clients and other agents away.
According to Ken, when it comes to his work hours, his phone starts ringing at about 7 AM or 8 AM, and he usually gets home at around 10 PM. He works seven days a week, long days every day. However, not all real estate agents work this much. As an agent, you can choose how much you want to work, so some agents just work part-time. However, it's harder to succeed as a part-time agent because you won't have as many clients, and many clients prefer agents who they can reach at any time. Your choice will just depend on your values and priorities.
It is a very stressful job because they take it very seriously. For their clients, buying a home is a very big investment, most likely their biggest investment. There is a lot to be on top of to make sure the process is the best possible for their client, especially if they have multiple clients at the same time. His advice was just to work hard and not procrastinate. Make a deal, get it signed and sent, and the stress won't be as bad since there will be less to do.
Qualities Needed
Having a good work ethic is very important because it takes a lot of hard work to succeed in this industry. Having a general knowledge of homes is a big asset in the industry, of course. Being honest and having a good personality is also crucial to your success in the industry, as it will help you build a good reputation, trust, and connections with your clients.
Hardest Parts of the Job
The hardest part of the job is that you don't get much time for yourself. Agents are always thinking about where they can put a family looking for a house and who can buy a house that's for sale. Since the phone will ring at random times throughout the day, it's also hard to start doing something outside of work. However, it is a very rewarding job, so it is all worth it.
How is being a Real Estate Agent Rewarding?
The job is very rewarding when you can get a good deal on the house for a client. People get stressed trying to get a house, because it is a very big investment, so when it all works out and you get to hand over the keys to the house, it's the best feeling ever. The relationships and the connections you make working in this industry are also worth more than money.
He told me a touching story of their journey helping an older couple from Lethbridge sell and buy a house. There was a worry that if something happened, paramedics wouldn't be able to access the bedroom in their old house, so they had to find a new house. The agents were able to find them a nice house in the country where they could see the animals outside and the crops growing outside, as they used to be farmers. A relative of the couple called the agents later, thanking them for their help because it had made a huge difference in the couple's life. The wife hadn't been out of the house much in the last few years when they lived in Lethbridge, and the relative told them that now she was going outside for walks and was overall much happier. The agents were touched to hear what a difference the house had made, and Ken shared this story with me to show how rewarding this job can be.
Misconceptions
Ken is a very bad liar, so when he told his friends that he wanted to become a real estate agent, they laughed and said that he would have to learn to lie first. This is a major misconception about real estate agents, that they lie a lot and try to trick people to get better deals for themselves. When Ken heard his friends say that, he told them that they were wrong because, while there are unfortunately some bad real estate agents out there, most agents are truthful and prioritize getting the best deal for the client. At Century 21, they prioritize the clients and do everything the right way to create the best experience for the client.
Post-Secondary
Ken did not go to any post-secondary institution to become a real estate agent. However, he did have to get a real estate license, which took him about three months, but it can be done in less time. You can also advance further and get more schooling after getting your real estate license if you'd like to. Getting the license costs about $10,000, and on top of that, agents usually don't make money right away after joining a company, even if they are selling houses. It can take a month or two before you start making paid as a real estate agent. It is a good idea to have about four months of living expenses saved up before starting this career.
It can be difficult to get started in the industry, specifically getting your name out to people in the area. Ken had an advantage because he grew up in the Taber area and his Dad was a contractor, so the family was already well-known in the area when he got started. Ken had already made many connections throughout the years through working various jobs and seeking out connections, and treating everyone he met well. If you try to start your career in a new town, it will be very hard, but this generation is very good at networking through platforms like various social media, which is a huge advantage, so it's not impossible.
What can High School Students do to prepare?
Shop class can be a valuable experience for learning more about how things are constructed. School is also a great place to meet people and build connections that can help you establish your name when you start your real estate career. Other places where you could build connections could be church, service groups and volunteering, working at a restaurant, etc. Ken said that he worked at a gas station for a few years while he was in high school, and he met and got to know so many people within the community, which helped him start his career. You can meet a lot of people through various jobs and organizations, which is always helpful. A huge advantage that this generation has as well is social media, which can be a great way for you to get your name out and build a reputation in preparation for your real estate career.
Check Out Ken Just!
Website (Century21): Ken Just, Century 21® agent
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