While I would love to say this blog is all about answer that question, it is in fact my dilemma.
When I started Real Estate last January, I went about it all the wrong way. I teamed up with someone thinking that would help me ease in, from being a stay at home mom into the working world. Unfortunately, the broker I was with literally treated me as an assistant, with no training, and no support. When I left that group, I went to a new start up company with loads of potentinal: RealEstate.com, Realtors, a Service of Lending Tree. This company had it all! A wonderful sales manager, recruiter, training...the whole shebang! I was on a role! I still only worked as much as being a mom of four could let me, but the camradarie and support there was so unlike the other brokerages I had visited.
Then my husband and I ended up in New Mexico! I am excited to start my real estate career over here, yet I am in the same boat again. Who do you choose to work with? What type of agency do I want to work for? Realestate.com was doing a great job in Tucson, but there isn't a branch in New Mexico.
Do you choose a brokerage because of their size? Their training?
Here are a few of the choices I have looked at:
Centry21 - Will having an internationally known company bring me more business?
Prudential I am familar with the company, but haven't looked that much into it.
Re/Max- Another great national company
FavoriteAgent.com I only saw this driving down the road. Is it a brokerage? Who knows!
Everyones comments are very welcome to this discussion! Does doing well in Real Estate depend on the individual, or the brokerage, or both? Why? Will having my own strong web presence mean more for me than having a powerful broker? I"m sure I have many more questions, but these will do for now!
Lexa
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Hi Lexa,
I had some time while fixing an office computer and thought I'd see what your latest blogs have been. I see you have been in a topsy turvey world.
I changed brokerage from Remax in Bisbee to a privately owned brokerage in Douglas. I was working more on this side of the valley and with business slow I needed some help but didn't want to quit.
I have an excellent situation now. I went about it looking for part time work/projects with business folks in Douglas . I wanted to support my real estate habit :) Anyway I asked a contractor/ broker if I could paint homes. He immediately tried to woo me to switch brokerages. I didn't expect that but already had somewhat of a relationship with him. We made plans to get together the following saturday. I made a list all week of questions I wanted to ask. I thought about what I wanted and needed for support and freedom to do my thing. We drove around as he showed me opportunities and ideas. We spent the whole day talking.
I got answers to all my questions and more and I switched in September. It is approaching the end of the first quarter 2008 and I have made almost as much as i did all year in 2007.
Sometimes I am an assistant, but he is also mine sometimes. It's working out quite well.
My advice would be to interview your prospects. See if they understand your work and lifestyle.
I'm realizing that as I am writing this you may be quite well established in New Mexico, And blogging on that realm. I hope you are happy and have gotten what you need.
Peace,
Mary Ann.