Choosing a Brokerage

• Choosing a Brokerage is a big decision for real estate agents. Educate yourself before making your decision.
  

Questions to Ask a Brokerage Before Deciding:

• Experience
• Do they offer profit sharing?   In a down-market like today, this may not good enough, since many brokers have no profit at all.  The best choice: Do they offer revenue-sharing?  You will earn your share regardless how badly your broker is running his/her business. 
• Do they have lead generation tools or partnerships? If so, are their any additional costs to be involved? No and No
• What tools are available to use for free? Hammer, screw driver,shovel, rake.
• Do agents receive a website or just a webpage? whats that?
• How is their internet presence? dont have one
• Agent operating costs? Desk fees, etc.  Sure
• Commission splits? what commisions?
• Workmens Comp and General Liability? generally liable... no workmmen-just women
• Advertising avenues and costs? yes
• General real estate supplies in-house? yes your house
• Real Estate signage costs? yes
• What career development do they offer? For new agents as well as experience agents to help them grow their business? Gramatical error: should be experienced agents, therefore dont have to answer
• What are the companies core values? Do I believe in them? Drinking and fighting Do you?
• Are they interested in me as a person or simply to bring in money? Person Hell! just bring money
• Does the brokerage allow you to run your business the way you want to and to utilize the marketing avenues that are necessary for your personal brand?of course!

What to look for in Good Brokerages:

• Experience, profesionalism
• Happy people willing to share
• Web Presence
• Recognized Name
• Lead Generation tools
• Automated Listing Presentations and CMA programs
• Relocation Division
• REO division
• Marketing Department
• Tech Support
• Transaction Coordinator
• Marketing Coordinator provided to all agents
• Are they serious about real estate, is it their full-time job.
• Are you going to be surrounded by real estate professionals that share your passion
• Do they have a solid customer service pledge
• Do they require minium standards to be in their brokerage?
• Ancillary Services (Lender, Commercial Division, Property Mgmt.)
• Agent ethernet (platform) with email and CRM (Customer Realtionship Mgmt. tools)

Tips to Avoid Bad Brokerages:

• Nothing in writing
• No Errors and Omissions insurance
• No written Office Policy and Procedures manual available.
• No broker support
• No belief in the power of the internet
• No UNDERSTANDING of HOW to use the web.
• Check the reputations of agents with the firm
• Check the frequency of complaints logged with the licensing department
• Notice if the front office staff are friendly to both clients and agents that come in the door throughout the day.