I sought out the man that sold me my house after I passed my State Exam just to pick his brain.  I had been very impressed with how he helped us find our home and how he had handled our transactions.  I only wanted to ask him questions and keep my license inactive.  I had a hard time finding him as he no longer worked for the same broker.  When I did find him, I found that he was the broker of his own office.  Two weeks after chatting with him he became my boss!  That was almost 2 years ago and I have no regrets.

WARNING WARNING Picking the wrong broker based only "price" could cost you your license you business your sanity... Next time I will invertview 10 agent that work for the company and 10 that used to work for the company.. Trust me interviewing a broker (read senior salesman) can be tricky for the novice agent

TRAINING...Numero uno for a rookie!  They had the best, hands down!

Yvette Smith

I seemed to be drawn to Keller Williams because of the culture of the company.  I was recruited by the owner and talked a couple of times before joining them.  I also liked the fact that there was a even playing field.  Everyone received the same commission package.  After you "cap" you get 100% of your commission!  I wasn't there long and felt like I belonged to a "family" and honestly I would never go anywhere else.  It's a wonderful place to be.  Good luck to you whereever life takes you!

Nancy, thanks for you post. I found one of my agents that way. I listed her home and when she got her license, she join my team! It made me feel really good because that means I did a great job with helping her sell her home!

Eric, you are right. Just looking at the commission split does not always work out. I would be cautious when an agent's only looking for the biggest commission split.

Location, national company with referrals, compabny name recognition, national advertising - press, radio, TV, prime time TV, office and nation production, and professionalism!

HI Kathy,

I personally went over board when I interviewed brokers in the Phx Metro area, but at least when I finally made up my mind, I felt like I had done my homework and made a great decision not only for myself but for my clients!  Haven't regretted my decision yet.  I chose who I did for training, the tools that were at my disposal and the personalty of the Branch Manager.  I felt all were important.  Especially since I was not coming from a Real Estate background.  I was a state case manager for the disabled prior to becoming a Real Estate Agent/Consultant.  I figure I am still helping others, now I am helping them realize the American Dream, owning their own home!

Take Care & Good Luck in '08!

Kathy, we went with the broker that provided the most training and had an office atmosphere that suited our personalities.  It didn't hurt that it has been the #1 brokerage in our area for a number of years!

good posts! thanks for all your posts!

This is a funny observation...a lot of agents are marketing themselves as a brand and actually trying to not show the broker's name at all. Some agents in my area would design their own logo, for sale signs, business cards and the sole purpose is to brand themselves and completely remove the broker's name. You would not know which company they are working for by looking at their marketing materials. However, if you talk to them, they say they want to associate with so and so company because of their name recognition? Does that make sense to you?

The only reason to go with one broker over another is found in the answer to this question....Can he/she provide me with what I need and want?  and the answer to that question is different for all of us and different for each of us at different points in our careers

I have been a commissioned sales person since 1985. For me the most difficult part of the job is prospecting ie finding the ready willing and able potential buyer for my product or service. I can convert a lead to a prospect to a customer, but finding those leads is tough for me. My broker provides leads. This is a match made in heaven

I agree with Ron - every situation and agent is different.  You need to know what's important to you and your business - no matter what company you are with, it is your business.  We happen to live 50 miles from the nearest major real estate office - we need to operate from a home office and interact electronically with the brokerage office regularly.  Not every brokerage is set up to operate that way, believe me!  Our choice was based on that capability, along with commission splits, long distance transaction processing professionalism, and how well we related to the principle broker.  We interviewed lots of brokerages before making the choice.  It fits our business perfectly, but is definitely not typical.  We largely brand our business, not the brokerage we work for - though the brokerage name is on all of our marketing (required in Oregon).

Wishing you incredible success!

I believe one of the most important aspects is to find an environment that you enjoy. As a previous managing broker I have seen many of the different compensation plans. Basically every business needs to keep the lights on, make a profit (hopefully) and grow. Every model will vary based on splits, desk fees, advertising, costs, etc. By time you have added up the spreadsheet their really isn't that much in financial difference. Find an environment that you enjoy and that you can grow in.

Well, I wish I had chosen a broker based on training.  As a result - I feel like I learned the hard way.  But I'm an independent SOB.  I chose my broker because I met with the owner of the company (who had many branches) and I felt like I could trust him.  And he has never let me down - I have been there for 7 years and he has always listened to and responded to my concerns. 

After working for a few different company this time it was all about $$$$, 100% commission, office staff, and total independence -with a small low annual fee no desk fees.   I was so used to finding clients on my own that I needed to give less to my broker.  I was passed the training and meeting stage.  I did talk to other agents first to make sure there were no hidden fees and that was why I picked the company Im with now.

Training and reputation were important, as I did not have a name established for myself yet, so I had to 'piggy back' the popularity of the company name. 

I came to Park Square Realty, Westfield, MA with almost 20 years experience with my mother's company, so I had a good outlook on what the area companies had to offer.  I wanted a large independent firm with growth potential and strong listing emphasis.  I wanted a broker and manager I could trust and a company reputation that my past clients could be happy with.  I found all of that and more here....

Thanks for posting some great insights! All the new agents should read this blog!

How about the flip side of your question? I've chosen not to go with a broker based on the company logo... I just couldn't see it going on my business card. It felt like an absolutely superficial reason but... I'm sticking with it. :-)

I chose my brokerage because of the all round amazing package.  I am at Keller Williams who provide Training for agents at every level and it's available daily in my office.  They offer great commission splits and if I recommend a friend to them they give me a share of the profits my friend brings in.  Finally, the culture is very special.  Everyone helps everyone, I kid you not.  I think it's important to chat to several brokerages but nobody seems to get even close to the deal at Keller Williams.

When I passed the test I went and interviewed with 8 managers. I even went to 2 separate managers of the some firm but at different locations, which I did this with 3 different companies. Now I based my choice on the manager and how they interacted with me, the one I choose made me feel that everything she said was not a sales pitch but how she ran things.

I always heard to locate a great mentor and with my manager I found the best one possible. Also she does not do any selling, as she says she is there for her agents. I did choose my manager over the name, even though she is with a well recognized name, I would follow my manager to any other company as I believe in her for guidance as well as watching over things.

So I would look more at who is going to be your manager then worring over is the company a big name or not

James, I believe you are so right! I also concentrate on being a manager and refer my clients to my agents. Thanks for your post!

This is a great subject Kathy since it has helped us to focus on what agents today are looking for when making this important decision.  Our agents get the freedom to run their own business with our support, referal system,one on one communications with the broker-owner and luxury office location. Training is free for our members through RAMB 

Eli, sounds like you have a great program!

I chose my broker based on the advice of a real estate friend and mentor. I wanted an office with good exposure but I didn't want a big company or franchise. (At the time we had an ideal location across from the Chamber.) The commission split was good, the other agents were all pretty friendly, and it just felt right.

I have stayed with this broker because she has let me grow and has supported me every step of the way. She understood when I took extended time after my son was born and then even more time through his several surgeries and hospitalizations.  The commission split is still good, the other agents are still friendly and helpful, and it still feels right.

JoEllen, it is nice to see a broker with a heart and not just see $$ sign.