楼市调查：45元看房一小时，楼市“群演”背后老板竟然是他

Core Viewpoint - The real estate brokerage industry is undergoing significant changes, with some agents resorting to hiring "actors" to pose as homebuyers in order to meet performance metrics and cope with declining demand [1][10][11]. Industry Changes - The phenomenon of hiring individuals to view properties reflects a reversal in the supply-demand relationship in the real estate market, leading to increased pressure on sales personnel [1][10]. - The number of real estate brokerage firms and agents has seen substantial growth over the years, with statistics showing an increase from 3.4 million firms and 37.4 million agents in 2008 to 20.6 million firms and 158.3 million agents by 2018 [11][12]. Performance Metrics and Compensation - Many agents, like Liu Qian, report that they have no base salary and rely solely on commissions, which has become increasingly difficult due to strict performance evaluations that require a certain number of property viewings [5][14]. - The average annual transactions per agent in high-demand areas like Pudong, Shanghai, are low, with estimates suggesting around 1.8 to 2.5 transactions per year [13]. Hiring Practices - The practice of hiring individuals to pose as buyers has become more common, with reports indicating that agents are paying between 35 to 60 yuan per hour for this service [7][8]. - The trend of hiring "actors" is not universal but is a tactic employed by some agents to artificially inflate their viewing numbers in response to strict performance targets [10][12]. Market Dynamics - The current market conditions have led to a significant shift from a previously thriving environment where agents could easily attract clients to a more challenging landscape where they must find creative solutions to meet their targets [10][11]. - The industry is experiencing high turnover rates, with many agents not staying in their positions for more than three years, indicating instability within the profession [14].