Is using a real estate team better than using an individual agent?

It depends. I've dealt with good and bad teams. I once called about a property listed by a husband & wife team. They both were awful, so if you have 2 bad agents, you'll have a bad team. I asked the wife about the HOA and lake access, and she siad " I don't know anything about it, my husband listed that house, so you'll have to call him." I asked a couple other questions as well, that she couldn't answer. Then called the husband, no answer, left message. he never called back. Sent him an email that evening, you guessed it, he never replied to it. Just pathetic. A team is only as good as the members that make up the team.

Team or not...in the end...the only person I can rely on is myself.  If I slack, I am the one that pays for it. For me...I don't care for a team, as the only one who ever benefits is the team leader.  So I am my own team leader.  But I know it works great for some!

I think it depends as well also. I'm an individual agent who is organized, punctual and has attention to details and my clients and they know that.  Teams can win more business than me because their name might get around town faster.  However, it's how they treat their customers...and other agents.. that wins them the repeated business.  I pride myself on being responsive and offering a boutique business where my customers know they are #1.  So, it can just depend and I don't think there is a right or wrong!

You can only rely on yourself in the end. Delegating things to other people sometimes does not get in done. Having a team is training the new agents which does nothing for the customer.

This question brings some strong reactions when you glance thru the comments.

There is no easy answer to the question. I assemble a team which includes not only real estate agents, but the lender, inspector etc.  Even though I work alone, I have a couple of colleagues who will look out for my clients and I reciprocate with them.. So, It is not a easy question to answer.

we have only one "official" team in my office and it's a married couple.  That being said... my agents back each other up and work well to cover when someone needs it.  And I'm a very hands on broker who can tell you what's what with all our listings and all of our current contracts.

Jared

I think it's an excellent question, and it really depends on who is involved and how the team operates. I have met with sellers who complained that they did not like the team experience becuase there were too many people to deal with, each doing something different with no communication between them. And some got sold on the LEAD AGENT who hey never saw or heard from again.

I have a team - my admin, my TC and others who help the transaction get to completion. I certainly could use the help of a buyer agent or several. So, philosophically it depends on how you set it up, what services you provide and by whom, the expectations that are set, and the communication.

A team, by itself. does not necessarily spell success, nor does an individual contributor.

Jeff

Sounds like you are creating an office within an office by allowing teams. This can only lead to trouble down the road for a managing broker, especially in a consumer-centric model.

Hi Jared...It depends on the team. If each member contributes basically the same amount to the business I imagine it can work very well. If there is too much disparity it can create problems. Husband and wife teams are different in that the expenses and income are usually shared equally.

I am solo. It means I can work as hard as I want to at times and take it easier because of personal reasons at other times. As long as I am taking care of my clients I am able to pace myself. If I had a team member I would feel as though I had to always be holding up my share even to the point where I might be doing too much of the work.

Kate

I think it relates to the agent. Some agents are good. Others aren't, whether they are a team or not.

I have worked with teams, partners and alone at various times in my career, and my preference is to work alone but have the backup of a licensed or unlicensed assistant. I think you're right... it depends... on timing and the individuals.

Jared, Amanda, it's an old saying Team most of the time outperforms an individual - which is true. Though I'd extend the definition of the team for our business as network associates that may include home inspectors, attorneys, lenders etc etc. With their help, even a solo agent can build the team.

Jared - I agree that it depends.  I like having a team, it just allows more opportunities to help clients.

Jared: The ones that I've been in contact with have had one "star" who gets listings, and who builds a team around himself to do all the chores including photography, open houses, etc. And the team members didn't get the public credit for it. Here in Hawaii, the team member does get his name on the open house flyer as "showing agent" But I haven't seen "teams" advertising unless it's a husband and wife team. 

You keyed in on the right thing, it's still all about customer service.  If the  buyer feels like they got passed off, you just lost.

Jared, our experience with large teams have not always been the best for our clients. Mishandled communication especially in multiple offer situations have caused many a broken heart simply because the team didn't communicate amongst each other. We are a team of two, husband and wife and we handle specific clients and tasks so that each of us is 100% accountable to that client. Also, when a potential buyer or seller is referred to us, they don't want to be handed off to someone else. That is another complaint we often hear about with large teams. Wishing you all the best as you continue to grow!

In my opinion a team is nothing more than a behind the scenes economic arrangement that should have absolutely nothing to do with the buyer or seller.  That is of course if all team members work independently.

I like how you have a team, but you don't talk that having a team is the only way to go. It may work for some, but not others.