Common mistakes that keep real estate agents broke include overspending on low-ROI lead sources, neglecting to track unit economics like cost per closing, and failing to build referral networks. Agents may also underestimate expenses such as transaction coordination, brokerage fees, and taxes. Without a consistent system and budget discipline, earnings from one sale a month often don’t cover costs. Agents must manage lead sources carefully and operate with a business mindset to avoid financial strain.