Realtors define success: A symbolic interactionist study

This study explores the meaning of success to realtors from a symbolic interactionist perspective. There were twenty-six participants interviewed and observations were conducted over a three-week period. The setting was an urban real estate office and participants were members of the National Association of Realtors. It specifically explored the impact of gender and length of time in the business on a realtor's personal meaning of success. Using content analysis, the observation and interviews, data was analyzed. Findings indicate that males and females remain in business because of the financial compensation it offers and compensation was found as an indirect material and symbolic consequence of successful realtor-client relationships. Participants defined success as an internal feeling of satisfaction resulting from sound relationship building.