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What Is The Job Of A Broker?

By Liz Loadholt

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC

March 25, 2009 02:19 AM

What is the job of a broker/sales manager? After reading Midori's blog Brokers Nurture Your Agents-Train Them!,
I started thinking about what is the real job of a broker/sales manager. When I use the term, broker, it is meant to include sales manager.

I guess I should know --- I have been a broker for 31 years -- the first 4 years as a competing broker and the last 27 as non-competing.

Over the years, a lot has changed -- going from MLS books to computers --- from full page ads in the local newspaper to no ads in the newspaper ---

A broker must first be a mentor/trainer. If the broker is not Liza making a presentation knowledgeable of the real estate world, they should not be in charge of an office --- this is a disaster waiting to happen. The agents, no matter how new or how experienced, need a leader who knows what they are talking about.

A broker must be available to their agents 24-7. The agents need to feel that they can contact the broker whenever they have an issue.

A broker must be positive -- upbeat. Agents need positive smiley face re-enforcement -- especially in this market.

A broker must be knowledgeable of Social Internet Networking --- they don't have to be a Todd Clark with over 600,000 points, a Maria & Jim Hart with over 277,000 point or even a Rebecca Levinson with over 100,000 points, but they must know enough to be able to guide their agents. If a broker does not feel comfortable with the technology, they must take classes and learn --- the broker should know more than their agents. Believe me, I didn't know anything about all of this until this past January when I made myself learn it (after an excellent presentation by Rebecca Levinson). I'm still learning, but at least I'm ahead of most of my agent/owners.

A broker must be a good negotiator. I spend a good bit of time negotiating on behalf of my agent/owners -- usually with other brokers. I really go to bat for my agent/owners when I believe they are correct. I have that reputation in town among the competing brokers.

A broker must keep up with technology that affects the real cluster of computers estate business.

A broker must be a respectful citizen of the community. The agents must respect their broker.

A broker must treat their agent as equals --- not show partiality. I learned this the hard way. As broker of a conventional company, there were "special deals" for different agents. One of the best things that we did with AgentOwned was to treat everyone the same --- absolutely no special deals. What a breeze for a broker --- you don't have to remember who you told what --- everyone is told the same thing.

A broker must, in my opinion, not socialize with individual agents. This causes untrust among the group.

Competing vs non-competing: if you can accomplish all of the above and list and sell, more power to you. I happen to believe that you cannot do both successfully.

I believe that I am a very good broker and I adhere to all of the above. You can ask any of the 144 agent/owners (5 offices) that I manage now and I don't think you will find one who says that I am not the best broker ever. AgentOwned has 15 offices with 495 agent/owners. I know some of you are thinking, "how can she be in 5 different offices?". You see, with the internet, google, blackberries, email, phone, one can cover a lot --- but,not if you are lazy!

You see, I love what I do. I love the agent/owners. They are just like family to me. Guess that is why I got my nickname of "Mama Liz" -- it actually came from one of my agent/owners, Tim Rogers , and stuck.

Mama Liz's Signature

The AgentOwned Realty serves your real estate needs for:

Charleston, Johns Island, James Island, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms,
Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island, North Charleston, Summerville,

Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Santee, Manning, Sumter, Florence.

& Myrtle Beach, all in South Carolina

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Vickie McCartney

Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY

Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Mama Liz~ You definitely made a lot of very good points! I have been an Owner/Broker so I can relate to what you are saying for sure! Respect is earned, not a given.

Mar 25, 2009 02:41 AM

Laura Higgins

ERA Advantage Realty - Sebring, FL

Liz,

Great post and you must be incredibly busy overseeing 5 offices. My broker has one office and I know the amount of hours that he puts in, but he is allows accessible to his agents and treats us with the utmost respect.

Mar 25, 2009 02:56 AM

Debra Cernick

DeShazer Ryan Realty - Libby, MT

Liz, As most of us brokers would agree -- you are right on. Availability is so mouch easier now than it use to be. The agents just need to feel comfortable to contact you -- anytime.

Mar 25, 2009 03:01 AM

Ginger Harper

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC

Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Blog your best! Buyers and Sellers can be found!

Ginger of Southport

Mar 25, 2009 03:22 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Karen - thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments. They are appreciated.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 03:52 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Ron - I understand what you are saying. The majority of my agents love their independence with AgentOwned Realty. They are treated as adults with sense. We are similar to Re/Max, but very different at the same time. We have very experienced agent/owners and a few new agents to the business. Thanks for stopping by and the best of luck to you.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 03:56 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Vickie -- thanks so much for stopping by and your warm comment. It is really appreciated.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 04:02 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Laura --- Yes, I'm extremely busy, but I love it that way. Active Rain is beginning to interfere -- I've become addicted, you see. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 04:04 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Debra --- thanks for stopping by and for your very nice comment. It is greatly appreciated.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 04:05 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Ginger --- yes, I agree with you. Do think one can find good agents by blogging? Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 04:07 AM

Li Read

Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC

Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

An excellent list/job description. I hope your post is read by everyone.

Mar 25, 2009 04:37 AM

Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant

Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

What Liz doesn't say, because she is modest, is that her independent franchise has made huge ground in South Carolina. The respect her agents have for her is tangible.

Liz you were a teacher, so you'll appreciate when I say that you can teach 'til you are blue in the face and give the reasons and coach and nurture but the students need to be willing to learn. You were not only willing to learn you were blogging before we even met:-)

You are one my favorite students because your passion for information and your willingness to try permeates the air. It's contagious.

Mar 25, 2009 04:48 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Li --- thanks so much for stopping by -- I would love for everyone to read my post --- that would be fantastic.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 07:09 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Rebecca --- thanks so much for stopping by. Your comments mean the world to me. I feel as though the teacher is "bragging" on me. Your friendship means a lot to me.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 25, 2009 07:15 AM

Debi Ernst

St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO

GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Liz - A broker has a lot of responsibilities...You sound like you're a great broker! :)

Mar 25, 2009 11:44 AM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Debi --- thanks for your kind comment. I appreciate it.

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 27, 2009 04:22 AM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Liz - Those 5 offices are very lucky to have you as their broker/manager. You are one sharp lady.

Mar 27, 2009 01:32 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Thanks for the shout out! The funny part is I'm about to switch over to a new brokerage because they want me to train on Internet and social media and how it can build your business.

So, yes it is important that the principle broker know what their agents are doing, because what is posted also reflect on the company just as much as it does on the individual agent.

Mar 27, 2009 07:30 PM

Liz Loadholt

Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

Todd --- will you be the broker-in-charge of the new office? I sort of gathered that from your comment.

You will a tremendous asset to the new company. Congratulations and the best of luck from your SC "Mama".

Mama Liz's Signature

Mar 28, 2009 06:46 AM

Kim Peasley-Parker

AgentOwned Realty, Heritage Group, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Liz- your blog is so right about what a broker is. I aspire to be a Liz one day. You are the best. I respect you to the ends of the earth and know that you would never give bad advice or a bad opinion. You and Boyd won me over to AgentOwned from the first meeting. I knew what you said was exactly what you meant.

Apr 01, 2009 08:43 AM