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Sometimes I need a break from the heavy, the technical, the compliance-laden critique. This piece is exactly that: a written timeout. But just a heads-up: It might also double as a slightly imaginative reenactment of current industry dynamics.
Over the weekend, I stumbled across an old high school yearbook. I don’t know about you, but when that happens, you have to sit down and take a look. Within minutes, there I was, flipping through pages of big hair, loud clothing, awkward smiles and those cringeworthy superlatives like “Most Likely to Succeed” and “Best Looking.” (Also, do schools still single kids out like that?)
Instantly, I was transported. A mix of nostalgia, humor and, if I’m being honest, a little discomfort. High school was full of cliques, competition, drama, ambition and unspoken social norms. It was a place where image often mattered more than substance.
It was also a never-ending reshuffling of alliances, egos and influence. One day, you’re on top: admired, applauded, maybe even envied. The next, you’re sidelined, misunderstood or replaced. Friend groups fracture. Rumors fly. Power shifts. And amidst the chaos that high school could be, someone is always trying to make the system a little better, or at least a little fairer.
Somewhere between the photos and end-of-year messages, something hit me: the coexistence of the school handbook and the unwritten rules. Diverse social factions. Power struggles. Causes people champion or curse. And of course, the swings. The typical ups and downs that high school is known for.
Are the dynamics of residential real estate today … a little like high school?
Some of you are probably thinking, “Oh no, where is she going with this?” Others? You’ve already topped off your coffee and settled in.
Is this an off-base analogy or déjà vu? Either way, let’s have some fun. Hear me out:
Less dazed, more determined
What’s your favorite high school flick? I have many, but Dazed and Confused is at the top of my list. Mostly because I love the ’60s and ’70s: the music, the fashion. And let’s be honest, wearing bell-bottoms in the 2020s just doesn’t hit the same.
“If I ever start referring to these as the best years of my life, remind me to kill myself.” That painfully honest gem, delivered by Pink in Dazed and Confused, used to make me laugh. Now, it makes me think.
Sure, high school had its moments, but I’m far happier in this season of life. I’m more independent, less concerned with approval, and finally free to do the work I believe in.
Maybe the evolution of the real estate industry could reflect that too: less division, more alignment. Fewer power struggles, more shared purpose. A space where doing the right thing, especially for the people licensed professionals serve, matters more than protecting turf or preserving old hierarchies.
Before we dive into the yearbook of Real Estate High, let me just say: If the industry has felt a little like third period with a pop quiz lately, you’re not imagining things. It’s full of bold — and sometimes shocking — headlines, compelling sound bites and swirling rumors, shifting loyalties and silent (and sometimes not-so-quiet) hierarchies. I’d say the only thing missing is a hallway monitor handing out warning slips, but let’s be honest, that’s probably the DOJ.
Let’s head down the hall. Class is officially in session.
The roll call of real estate
Ready for attendance? Just a reminder, this is all in good fun. But if some of it hits close to home, well, that’s kind of the point. On a lighter note, if you’re going to read through this cast of characters, I highly recommend queuing up “Slow Ride” by Foghat. It sets the tone.
As you read, ask yourself: Which of these groups are helping the school thrive, and who’s skipping class? And remember, in this school, the real “assignments” are the deals, disclosures and decisions that shape the industry.
The student body (general agent population)
They’re the heartbeat of the school — showing up, grinding it out and navigating the social swirl of Real Estate High. Some are finding their voice. Others are just trying to make it to graduation without detention (or a DRE citation). They might not all agree on who runs the place, but without them, the halls would be empty.
The cool kids (luxury brokers)
They roll up in Range Rovers, dressed in quiet luxury and loud confidence. Everyone wants to sit with them, even if they pretend not to care. They don’t just sell homes. They sell a lifestyle, preferably with a view and an NDA.
The drama club (reality TV agents + social media stars)
Always “on.” Their open houses are productions, and their Instagram stories are more choreographed than a high school musical. Critics roll their eyes, but hey, they’ve got followers. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to win prom queen.
The geeks (compliance consultants + risk managers)
Uncool? Maybe. Indispensable? Absolutely. They do the homework no one else wants to touch, fix the group project at the last minute, and quietly save everyone’s GPA (and license).
The computer lab crew (proptech + AI innovators)
You’ll find them in the back of campus, building tools the rest of the school hasn’t caught up to yet. They speak in code, pitch big ideas and sometimes get accused of trying to replace teachers with apps. Visionaries to some, disrupters to others. They’re already operating in the future while the rest of us are still fumbling with hall passes.
The principal (state regulators + DRE)
They show up unannounced. They enforce the rules. And when someone breaks them? Expect a trip to the office, and probably a write-up. They’re not here to be liked. They’re here to make sure the place doesn’t burn down.
The teachers (managing brokers + ethics trainers)
Some are inspiring. Some are just counting the days to summer break. They manage behavior, grade performance and try to maintain order in a classroom full of conflicting agendas.
The teachers union (NAR + power brokers)
They’ve long shaped school policies and culture. They say they’re working for the common good — and sometimes, they are. But lately, more teachers are asking: Do they still speak for us?
The PTA (consumer watchdogs)
They don’t go to school here, but they’ve got a seat at the table and an eye on the budget. They show up to meetings, raise tough questions and push for transparency, especially when it comes to fees and access. Some roll their eyes. Others take notes. But one thing’s certain: They’re not staying silent.
The rule-breakers (unethical agents)
They’re vaping behind the gym — it was cigarettes in my day — skipping class and making side deals in the parking lot. Disregarding disclosure and steering buyers? Just part of the routine. They haven’t been caught … yet. But the detention slip is coming.
The overachievers (top producers who follow the rules)
They grind. They lead quietly. They do the work and turn in every form on time. Admired by teachers and peers, they’re the ones actually running the show, just not yelling about it.
The transfer students (new agents and startups)
They’re fresh, a little lost, and someone’s already tried to sell them a coaching program. But they’re curious, scrappy and not bound by legacy friend groups. That makes them unpredictable, but in the best way.
The student council (reformers + advocates)
They show up early. They raise their hands. They fight for transparency, access and equity — even when they get eye rolls in the hallway. But sometimes? They’re the reason the handbook gets rewritten.
The school newspaper (industry media)
They break news, stir the pot and sometimes publish op-eds in your locker. They’re not always unbiased, but people read every word.
The cafeteria (MLS + portals)
Finally, this is where it all goes down. Gossip. Deals. Power plays. You can see exactly who’s sitting where and what’s being served. Some cut the line, others sneak off-campus to eat. What’s visible may not be the whole story. And what gets missed can matter even more.
Fiction or flashback?
Take the cast of characters above and build whatever plot you like. The storyline is yours. But one common reflection when thinking about high school, at least for me, is how I’d do it differently. I’d certainly care less about who was watching and more about who I was becoming. I imagine many of us feel that way when we look back at younger versions of ourselves.
And while this piece is playful, even tongue-in-cheek, I think there are some key takeaways behind the metaphors. Real estate is in flux. Like any institution under pressure, it faces a choice: resist change or rise to meet it.
Right now, in this industry, we have a real-time opportunity to make better decisions. We can treat compliance not as a formality, but as a foundation for trust. It means showing up with intention, without letting the noise or the naysayers slow us down. We can walk forward, learning from the past, but also not looking back.
I should mention that when the coast begins to clear and the headlines quiet down, it becomes easier to see the workforce that has been there all along. It is resilient, ethical and motivated, doing the hard work for the right reasons. That deserves to be seen. And if not celebrated, then certainly acknowledged.
Another way to look at all of this, and as Matthew McConaughey’s character Wooderson memorably put it in Dazed and Confused, is: “You just gotta keep livin’, man. L-I-V-I-N.”
Perhaps that’s the reminder to pull from this crazy analogy: Keep moving, keep growing, and focus on what matters. Integrity. Service. Forward motion. Not image. Not popularity. And definitely not cafeteria politics.
Because high school ends. And thank goodness, right? We grow up. We evolve. We do the adult thing now. Less drama, more direction. Less posing, more purpose.
We should aim to be our authentic selves while continuing to grow, learn and adapt (so few of those walking around on a high school campus). Following the rules, even when no one is watching, has always been the real compliance challenge. And we shouldn’t fall in with the wrong crowd, even if they’re the ones holding the mic.
So sure, maybe this piece is just comic relief. I definitely laughed while writing it. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s a mirror. Either way, I think we can all agree the future is already here. This time, let’s get it right the first time. No regrets.
NOTE: The opinions, suggestions, and recommendations contained in this discussion are based on Summer Goralik’s experience working for the California Department of Real Estate and as a real estate compliance consultant. They should not be considered legal advice or relied upon as such. You should consult with your brokerage and/or appropriate legal counsel in your jurisdiction for further clarification.
Summer Goralik is a real estate compliance consultant and former CA DRE Investigator in Huntington Beach, California. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
