Here are a few useful tips for all agents, both new and old, in the proper care and feeding of the guy who owns and runs the brokerage where you ply your trade. 

I will be quick to add that many of the things I suggest here are things my team already does well, and it is rare when I have to practice tough love. But I certainly talk with my share of fellow brokers, owners and managers, and premature gray or the odd eye twitch are certainly a problem for the ones who care. 

So consider this a  guideline for keeping your broker, be it myself or anyone else, a little happier, a little saner, and a lot less stressed. 

  • When you are emailed a customer or client inquiry, acknowledge getting it. A quick email back that says "got it" or "thanks" or even "got it, thanks" will do. 
  • Check your email. There may be an opportunity waiting. 
  • Check your voicemail. There may be an opportunity waiting. 
  • When you go out of town, get someone to cover for you. 
  • We're probably friends on Facebook. HINT HINT 
  • When you screw up, tell me. It is better for me to hear it from you than another broker, another agent, or the nice folks at the board (which has never happened to my guys). 
  • Learn the paperwork and fill it in completely. 
  • When you need help, ask for it. 
  • If there is an accounting issue, do your best to resolve it quickly. Never let that sort of thing hang in the air for days or weeks. 
  • If another agent, customer or client mistreats you, tell me immediately so we can address the issue. Otherwise, it defines matters the rest of the time you deal with them. 
  • Kidding us about what we did to earn our split is as gauche as members of the public who tease you about yours. Moreover, you might not get how hard we work behind the scenes. 
  • Nothing happens automatically. You have to make it happen. And NEVER shrug your shoulders and say "let the lawyers work it out." Lawyers don't work things out. Their solution is to have the brokerages throw money at a problem.  
As for myself, I can promise a few things to my team:
  • I'll never micro manage how you handle the inquiries you are given. I presume everyone does their best. 
  • Office meetings are never compulsory. But they are advisable. 
  • I abhor office politics. 
  • Your listing, your call. All the time, every time.
  • If you need me to fill in, I'm there as much as I can be.
If the team doesn't succeed, then neither does the broker. It is our job to help the team members win, and for my part, that is a big responsibility. It is a two way street, and given the importance of our work, namely, putting a roof over peoples' head, it behooves us to work together and be responsible professionals. 
  

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100 Comments on How Salespeople Can Prevent Their Broker From Premature Gray Hair

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
10
2011
192,490 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Phil, I think sometimes agents do forget the importance of their jobs - "putting a roof over people's heads" including their own!
2:18pm • #81
619,969 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

FEATURED AGAIN! Congratulations. I am sure your agents appreciate this list of helpful hints that will help them advance their business. I am also proud that you do not micro manage your agents.
3:33pm • #82
483,820 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

I think it's fair to say that most agents stay put or leave because of the broker.  No relationships should be one sided. Great points.

 
6:03pm • #83
OCT
11
2011
184,862 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

I think these are fabulous tips for a new agent. Some of these things they do not tell you (you would think it was common sense for most)
9:43am • #84
714,810 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Phil - Having met you in person, I can say that I know if I was licensed in NY and lived nearby, I'd like to work for you.  You have a nice combination of business savvy and personal warmth that's hard to find.  Your agents are lucky!
10:14am • #85
229,116 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

I'm posting this one on our company bulletin board. Thanks for summing it up so nicely.
10:35am • #86
195,512 Points Outside Blog

Amen.
11:20am • #87
281,308 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hello J Philip:

 

Having run a large brokerage in Boston MA at one time I appreciate your list and the subtleties of a stone simple set of guidelines. I cringed at the notion of "let the lawyers work it out" as that solution grows the numbers exponentially. thanks for sharing.
11:20am • #88
466,050 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Reading your blog post, I think I've found myself in an alternative universe. Sounds like you really do have a team and broker/agents work to support the other. 
11:40am • #89
125,521 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

My broker's hair turned grey well before I met him. Your next blog can be If your broker has grey hair, he probably has the experience to back it- ha ha!
12:54pm • #90
682,420 Points 83 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mine is turning WHITE!  And now all I need to do is smile and my team responds. (just kidding )..LOVED this post.
1:40pm • #91
1,022,995 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great post.  Many of these apply to employees in many businesses.  BTW it sounds easy but these simple things are so hard for a number of people.
2:47pm • #92
700,378 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I think I might see a few gray hairs coming in .......
7:22pm • #93
111,058 Points 1 Featured Post

Very well done.  I was in management long enough to always see the other side of things.  One has to want to manage.  Otherwise taking on so much responsibility for so little reward just doesn't make sense. 
9:24pm • #94
142,576 Points 3 Featured Posts

Can I copy it and post it......Can I, Can I, Can I

I couldn't have said it better, and you put it writing!  Great job!
9:33pm • #95
123,931 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great points, I printed your list to review with my agents at our next office meeting. 
11:21pm • #96
516,038 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Philip,

I probably give my broker gray hair but hopefully not a lot.  I'll try to keep this list in mind!  Thanks for sharing!!
11:40pm • #97
OCT
12
2011
495,853 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Phillip, It reminds me of how sometimes I wonder how a broker can sleep at night.  With all the "wold cannon" Realtors out there!
6:09am • #98
OCT
13
2011
Outside Blog

Ooohh nooo.. I will get gray hair!!!

My broker test is in November 4

Good post, Thank you
12:00am • #99
OCT
26
2011
1 Featured Post

Great job Phil! You are a broker any of us would be proud and happy to work for. Hopefully we can all be like you one day. Thanks for the post.

 
4:23pm • #100

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J Philip Faranda, Broker-Owner

Briarcliff Manor, NY

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J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip R.E. LLC) Westchester County NY

Address: 522 North State Road , Suite 100, Briarcliff Manor, NY, 10510

Office Phone: (914) 762-2500

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Phil Faranda is broker and owner of J. Philip Real Estate LLC in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Since founding the firm as a sole practitioner in late 2005, the team has grown to over 30 agents & closed 350+ transactions valued at $140 million. He is in his 4th term as Vice President of the HGMLS. This blog commentary is geared toward consumers and industry colleagues alike. You can reach him at (914) 723-8900.
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