Well, damn that took you long enough. :) 

Hmmm, positive changes?  Margarita Tuesdays wouldn't have hurt my feelings.  Does that count?

Parked and hoping to hear some non-typical answers from all the out of the box agents on AR!

Ok, Margaritas on Tuesday and Michelle wants to go parking! Good combination! =]

Hey, there have been some good times with that particular combination, let me tell you. haha

I absoluety hate my broker...what a jerk.  Wish I could leave him.  Nastiest person you'll ever meet.  Seldom showers, hasn't seen a comb in years, not that it matters as he steam cleans his toupe, drives a 1979 truck with 4 different kinds of wheels and.....uh, nevermind.

I am with RE/MAX prime properties in Westchester County.  It has taken me years to get to an office that I really like.  I am left alone to do my business with support from the Broker if I need it.  I love the RE/MAX thing and prefer to pay and not have to worry about running an office.  I don't have any complaints and think my Broker does it right, sorry.  Sort of amazing, actually.

Good morning Jessica,

I was wondering if Guy was using the office down the hall from me? LOL Not really, If your  Broker isn't open to suggestions and an Agent isn't happy in the environment one would think, expect actually, that they would move on.

Jessica, one suggestion since I changed to a large company is this: With more staff, there is a lot of cross training that goes on, MAKE sure if someone is out the other person really knows what the heck is going on.

Use a systematic approach to setting up showing with a good vendor. Manually entering showings in too cumbersome. Time to update.

Have more than one person setting up showing, being put on hold for 3 minutes is NOT acceptable, we had 2 front desk people at Remax and only one at KW, then the agents call me and say "I got tired of waiting on hold and called you".

Have more than 2 conference rooms for 150 agents !  

This has all been discussed by me to them.... 

Lets see....it is perfect...wait, what was that "pop"? Oh, it was me just  pulling my head out of my rear...

First, a broker who remembers ethics completely to the core of their being.  That includes when it is harder to be ethical than to just be unethical.  To be ethical until it hurts.  Then there is fairness which should be handled the same way!

I am really looking forward to seeing more comments.

Jessica- I am sure that you are the greatest broker in the world, oops, wait, aside from Nestor!;) 

I will have to stay tuned to make sure I don't miss something good.

Jessica - Fair is the right word for this. A consistent way to deliver leads has always been a complaint of mine when I was with another office. Eliminate negative energy, it can be felt by customers when they come in the office, and it becomes a place to avoid. Keep positive people and convince negative people to work somewhere else.

The ability to pull a team together and make them FEEL like a team.  Too much negativity and "that's the way we've always done it" from other agents in my office has led me to work from at home.  Then, we got a new managing broker who I think has some great ideas and the agents are dead set against any change.  I guess my complaint is not really with the broker, but more the negative nellies that won't fish or cut bait.

Jessica- I worked at a large regional brokerage for my first year and I have been with a small independent my 2nd year. In the large brokerage it was difficult to get any help from the agents as they were all about me and keep your hands off. In the small office there are fewer agents to offer help. I guess I would like to see a helpful office where there is a spirit of teamwork. That and 150% of my commission without a company dollar.....=)

Best,

Scott 

Jessica, I own my own brokerage just as you do. My main complaint is that a few of my agents do not buy into the idea of responsibility by showing up 3-4 times a week at the office and actually "working".

Good morning Jesscia!

My broker last year held a weekly meeting (some called it a class) that was interested agents and the broker just discussing challenges the agents were having with a transaction/client/listing/marketing etc so that other agents (and broker) could offer suggestions or the agent could share their solution if they had already solved the challenge.  The brokers also described challenges that had come up recently with another agent (no names) so that the attending agents could learn from that challenge.

The meeting was about exchanging ideas and solutions (more heads are better than one) so that every agent was able to learn and grow a bit by the end of the hour, and be better at problem solving and providing quality service to their clients.  Another benefit was that the agents developed a stronger teamwork spirit towards helping one another.

Hmmmm, sounds a lot like ActiveRain!

See you at the meeting!

I want 151% of my commission check, a paid two month vacation, and oh yes...all my expenses paid.

I have my own brokerage, and the fact is that some agents need a lot of hand holding to get started.  They need constant kudos and reassurances that they are doing well.  It's kind of like teaching an infant to walk.  I think the "emotional" environment is really important to most people.

Jessica,

It has been a while since I checked in with you.....a change of company?  I did as well and have not looked back....

I have had a few that have disappeared....without reason or contact.....these I wish would have at least opened up to me and talked to ma about what I did or didn't do that they wanted.  I am very nice to work with and a nice guy....LOL

I must agree when nothing is said is the worst. I was in an office one time where the broker was very biased to how leads and relos were handed out. I was on the good side of this but still felt it unfair. I also think a broker should have a firm grasp on the law and be there when I need a little advice and should know more then me or at least for the most part.

Jessica, you opened up my whole life with this blog. lol  Think about this for a second....the whole industry is commoditized.  How does a company go from the commoditization and rise from good to great?  (example Starbucks in a commodity industry such as Coffee.)   They have to do what no one else is doing.  So what are brokerages focus?  They want as many agents as possible.   So if I am to rise....what do I need to do?  Focus on quality agents.....not quantity.  Thats my first rule.  How do I focus on quality?  I have to only allow certain people to work for my company. Im creating a company of elite...therefore I have to start with the requirements on who can be in my company.   Thats where it all begins!  Otherwise..your just like everybody else.

Jessica, I would suggest asking your own agents what they want from their broker.  They are the best people to tell you how they feel and see things.  You may have some that want praise and others that don't.  Some might enjoy lots of meetings, while others may hate it.

What do I expect from my broker?  To be treated fairly.  To earn her trust.  To learn new things.  Most of all a positive attitude toward teamwork and a clean office to bring my clients.  

What I don't want? Someone who brags constantly. To have my hand held & a hard sell to buy a bunch of stuff I don't need.  

 I think it's great that you are trying to do what's best for your people.

Jessica, I have been with my current company almost three years.  I really have no complaints.  The thing I love about it is the two big things they encourage are training and teamwork.  They want nobody to be out there without knowing what their doing.  There is also no cut throat "dog eat dog" mentality in our office.  Everyone is helpful and its like a family.  I really like that.  I could go on and on but rather than a big long post I will drop you an email!  ;-)

I have only been with my current broker.  When I leave, it will be to start my own brokerage.  I have a pretty good loyalty to my broker.  I know that in the most important aspect of the relationship, he has my back and will support me. 

That said, here are the things I would like to see in a brokerage (mostly what I have where I am at... some, not so much):

• Non-competing broker.  It is tough when they are taking the best leads or all of the leads... or funneling leads.
• Tech savvy.  I want a broker that understands how things work now... not in 1973.
• Open to change.  There are always new ways that show up to improve the transaction's efficiency, as well as marketing, and everything else that we do... the high water mark wasn't 1973.
• Stays out of the way.  Let's me market to my niche and my consumers, my way.
• But is there when I need answers.
• Honest.  Brutally, if need be. 
  

I am in a small brokerage that is owned by a husband and wife.  Nice people, good realtors, but I would really like a broker who is a strong leader with innovative ideas who has a desire to dominate the market.  I don't have that where I am and I have not run across and office in my area that has the "feel" I am looking for. 

I love this business and I want to love going to the office every day.  Right now I am working from home, because I do not have a reason to go to the office. . . usually it is the husband and the wife, the wife's sister who is the receptionist and the daughter who is the defacto office manager and a realtor as well.  I respect the right of someone to have a "family business" but I feel like I go to work in someone's living room. . .too much drama.

I stay because the fees are minimal, I can't find an office I like better, and I am successful despite the situation.  But one of my goals is to get my broker's license and start my own office with a kick ass team who loves this business as much as I do.

Jessica,  I have been with RE/MAX for about 13 years.  I am at my current company 2 years.  This is a wonderful pair of men who treat their agents with generosity and respect.  They have a couple of happy hours every year because there are two offices and they like us to mingle.  They regularly treat us to lunch.  We have a great Christmas party where we are actually thanked for being part of the company.  The support staff is there to stuff mailings, answer questions, order lunch, anything we need.  My previous RE/MAX was run like a conventional company if that company was being run like the Gestapo.  Not only did the support staff not support the agents, we were chastised if we ever asked for any help.  There was one day where two different agents got called on the carpet because they called the office from their cars to get MLS contact information on properties while they were out in the field.  Apparently, this was looked at as thinking they had a personal secretary.  The Broker always threw a Christmas party, but then the agents were held hostage while she thanked her mother, her accountant, her banker and every one of her personal friends.  She never, not once, thanked her agents for making her the success she was.   Just this week, my current brokers arranged for us to take some of our necessary continuing ed and provided lunch for all who attended. 

I wish we had an e-fax.  We're still using the old fashioned one.... granted it's top of the line, but still not quite the same.  We are limited as to how many phone lines are availbe because we are in a historic location.

Jessica, I have been with my current broker 18, oh my god - I said it out loud, years.  We have a great office with about 150 agents.  I think the only thing that gets me is when one of the computers is getting older and having "glitches" needs to be replaced, they don't really stay on top of that.  We do pay a "technology fee" every month of $35 for such things, just think we should have a few computers replaced. Other than that, everything is roses!! LOL

Jessica...

I can only approach this one for the short time that I did in fact work in an office.

What I didn't like was the "Rent-A-Broker" with his negligent unconcerned "Show me the money?" attitude.

I disliked it so much that I made BB get his Broker's license so we could bail :)

This was the result of knowing that doing things our way is, for us, the only way to go.

Aside from that the people in the office didn't much care for the food fights :)

TLW...ROAR!

Fruit Rollup Friday. Enough said.

Great post, and amazing last name :-D lol,

 Complaints are extremely important in business and if no one complains it can give you a false sense that everything is ok, when it might not be. If no one is saying anything one way or the other I tend to ask from time to time if there is something I can do or change to assist them better.

If I were working in a real estate office, I would want to see my broker and company moving to eliminate the massive amounts of paper consumed by a real estate office. Free Tibet!!.......err I mean, Save the Whales, wait....that's not it either........Save a tree?

I am with Bob on this one.  Let's save more trees!  (Great Blog)

Our main office could and should create an internal network with file sharing, print sharing, purchase contract and forms all on our own internal netowrk.  This would be beneficial for all members and it would save all of us time and energy.

I am very happy with my office, but sometimes they will change a policy and let us know afterwards instead of before and that can cause problems. Communication is important.  Just an added suggestion, I think you might get more comments on what people don't like about their current company situation if the blog was members only. 

Jessica,

I was in a situation in which I was very dissatisfied, so I looked very diligently before I made a move. You've really got to look at the broker and determine what makes them tick and who they are fundamentally because that's who they'll attract and the people will make up the business, character and reputation of the brokerage. Our broker absolutely ROCKS! He is a man of character, of his word, integrity, ethical even past the point that it'll cost him money, he really cares about his people, is a driver, does not compete against us for leads, was a top $25-$30 million producer before he sold his business, sits and holds agents hands - literally - who have call reluctance to make phone calls, is a voracious reader, brings in all kinds of people we can learn from - most recently the author of The Compassionate Samurai (#1 Wall Street Journal biz book) at no cost, makes us aware of the top technological tools in the field and makes them available to us at a discounted group rate, will always get back to you the same day and is available on weekends, etc. Like the other post you where you were saying if I'm nice, don't take it as a sign of weakness - he's like that as well. There are a lot of agents in the office, therefore, who are very driven and interested in quality of life, family, the Word, reputation, and not a lot of drama. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure you could get involved in drama if you want, but it doesn't find me somehow. The only thing that I see could be improved is the communication and timeframe in which it takes to get administrative things done like phones hooked up, sign for the office, e-mail address approved, etc. This is THE top producing sales office in Dallas. Where I was before, I was THE top producer. I was the biggest fish in a small pond. I'm a smaller fish now in an enormous pond which gives me room to become a much bigger fish. ;)  

Hope this helps,

Terri Hayley

Keller Williams 

Jessica- Not sure what you're looking for but here's my take:  Broker: 1) No micro-managing...teach the Agents what you feel they need to know, teach them again and again, but let them do their work...and when something is wrong.....send an email, a phone call, etc. correct it and move on...... 2) Give up some of those Dollars to Help with Agent Training expenses 3) Provide an environment of "Open Door Policy" and don't show favoritism  4)  Be in tune to technology, but accept that not all the agents will "get it"....so have patience with those that are slower than others (if they are producing and trying)  5) don't try to put everyone into a mold   6) Give Agents support....be available for questions, give feedback, be open to feedback yourself, listen to agents, and most importantly be positive and innovative 7) Provide an environment that fosters Individual Growth; Rewards, Consistency and Professionalism as well as one that  helps Mitigate Issues as they arise 7) Have good marketing....whether Internet or Print....a variety 8) Keep a good name in the community and be flexible.

Agents:  1) Realize owning/running a Real Estate Co./Brokerage is a business.....the Broker is there to make a profit  2) The Broker is not a Babysitter.....learn to handle "your" business  3) The Broker is not a babysitter.....learn to get along with your co-workers  4)  As an Independent Contractor it costs YOU money to run "your" business  5)  It is your responsibility to keep up with the changes in the Industry  6) Realize that just because YOU have an emergency/issue doesn't mean it's an emergency/issue for your Broker  7) Costs are continuously rising for everyone, and your job with the company is to make sales.....this is what pays the bills  8) Accept Feedback from the Broker....don't personalize everything. 8) Get off your High Horse :)

Jessica....hope this is what you were looking for.  Heck you got me on a roll here, so if it's not feel free to delete :) :)

Here I GO!

• Commissions aren't that important.  Tell yourself they are, if you want.  But I know from experience that unless you're established and selling a boat load, you're really only getting like 20% on your 95-5, when you could go with a 60-40 somewhere else.
• Explainations!  Knowing what the heck that 2,405,927 page contract means TO ME, THE AGENT, before I sign it?  Priceless!
• Room for development.  Brokers that are interested in their agents succeeding and willing to give them REASONABLE listings for experience and knowledge, and willing to work with them on it!  (This does not mean handing over the ones that are 150% above market value!)
• I like it when the broker is a real human being, not some far away person with a house that costs a gazillion dollars and an office far, far away.  It's like working for Santa Claus... you're never sure if he/she exists.

Eh... other than that stuff, nothing is really that important.  I think the bottom line is everybody wants a different thing from their broker.  I know some people that love having a broker that they never see.  Whatever floats your boat.  I figure if I'm working FOR you, as an "agent" being backed by all your knowledge, then dammit, I better have access to all that knowledge.  And better yet, you better HAVE all that knowledge!

I'm done ranting now.  :)  Hope I helped a little bit...

Jessica~That is very true. The client who does not express their displeasure to you is going to spread it all over the place instead.