Core Viewpoint - The real estate agency 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][12]. Group 1: Industry Changes - The phenomenon of hiring individuals to view properties reflects a dramatic shift in the real estate market, where agents face increasing pressure due to a reversal in supply and demand dynamics [1][12]. - The number of real estate agencies and agents has surged over the years, with statistics showing a growth from 3.4 million agencies and 374,000 agents in 2008 to 206,000 agencies and 1.583 million agents by 2018 [15]. - The average number of transactions per agent has significantly decreased, with agents in major cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen averaging only 1.8 to 2.5 transactions per year [16][17]. Group 2: Agent Experiences - Agents like Liu Qian report that they have no base salary and rely solely on commissions, leading to financial strain and the need to hire others to meet viewing quotas [6][18]. - The pressure to meet viewing targets has intensified, with agents facing penalties such as longer working hours if they fail to meet these metrics [6][12]. - A survey indicates that only 41.4% of agents have a base salary, with many earning as little as 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per month, highlighting the financial challenges faced by agents in the current market [18][19]. Group 3: Hiring Practices - The practice of hiring individuals to pose as buyers has become more common, with reports of agents paying between 35 to 60 yuan per hour for this service [8][10]. - In local running groups, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for individuals to "pretend" to view properties, with nearly 60 requests for such services posted in a single month [8][9]. - Some agents express disbelief at the absurdity of hiring people to view high-value properties, yet they feel compelled to do so to maintain their performance metrics [10][11].

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].