Hello My new friends in the Real Estate profession.

You have chosen a wonderful career. You have decided to chart your own path to success. New clothe's, new shoes, new attitude. You just past your state test and now you're ready to find an office that will take you in and polish you right up. Right? Wrong!

Statistics say that as agents we will change offices at least 3 times until we settle in one office. Let me save you 2 stops. When I first got my license I signed up with my father in law. It was a great move for me because I was able to get my feet wet, ask questions any time of day or night and learn directly from my broker/dad. Then I had to do it, I had to move in to an office and that's when it all started.

Now I'll save you time and and breifly tell you that after 2 well know offices I nearly quit Real Estate all together. It was that bad. But instead of bashing office managers and offices I will instead give you some tips on how to choose an office:

1. First of all when interviewing an office ask to sit with the broker not an office manager. Remember that the broker calls the shots. You want to know what kind of broker is running the business. Get a feel for his or her attitude. If you see that they come off arrogant and to busy for you then that should be a red flag as to future meetings or lack of support.

2. Ask for an office schedule of training activities. As new agents you will need all the training you can get. Your office should supply you with that. Make sure it's office training and not a schedule of the board of Realtors classes. If an office does not have this then that's another red flag.

3. Have a second meeting with the office manager. If you felt good about the office then have another meeting but this time with the office manager. Ask about training again, ask what they can do for you. Ask them to give you a reason to sign up with them. 

4. Have 1 or 2 friends call the office possing as buyers asking for information. The reason for this is to see what kind of customer service they have. You would be surprised at how many rude receptionists' are out there. Do you want your customer calling and getting the raw treatment. This one is sneaky but in business you must look out for your customers and it is critical that the people you work with understand great customer service.

5. Interview other agents from the same office. Don't be afraid to ask other agents how they feel about the company, the office, the broker and the manager.

6. Find out how many listings the office has. This is important because as a new agent you will have no inventory of your own. If the office has plenty of listings you can work them and have a better chance at establishing yourself.  

7. Fight for your listings.When sitting down for your final meeting assuming you have decided to sign up, make sure you negotiate to keep your listings encase you should ever decide to leave. This is very important. Even though the listings belong to the Broker the truth is they don't! You are allowed to take your listings however the broker and the principal must agree in writing. Now on this one keep in mind that as a new agent you might not get that agreement but fight hard for it. Sell yourself hard. The broker needs you as much as you need them.

It's very expensive to be changing offices every-time you decide to move. I hope these tips help you pick the right office and broker. Find someone that can mentor you, coach you and help you 100%. A smart broker will do these things. It's in there best interest as well as yours.

Good luck,

Your friend and business partner.

Max Introini www.msfrealty.com