A common question that new agents have is - how do I select the right brokerage to join? This can be a hard decision as there are so many different types of options out there. Some agents wonder after the fact if they have selected the right brokerage for them. Working under a brokerage can impact every part of an agent's career so it's important to feel content and secure!
Really think about what you want to accomplish as an agent and find a brokerage that aligns with those goals.
Knowledge and Education
When joining a brokerage - it's important to ensure you feel like you can learn there. Especially as a new agent, learning the ropes is essential. As new deals come up and each client poses a different learning curve, guidance from a brokerage is invaluable. Feeling as if one is constantly learning and supported is a definite sign that an agent is in the right place.
Some agents on Facebook likened the feeling of learning to being in a "university class". Taking notes, taking in information, asking questions, etc. is all a part of being apart of a brokerage that is going to better you.
The fees that agents pay to brokerages all vary. When an agent feels like they are learning and gaining value from a company - the fees will seem worth it to them. Some agents feel frustrated about the fees and many recommend that if this is the case - to take a step back and evaluate whether it's worth it!
Support and Accountability
Support is great and necessary, but so is accountability. Accountability should go both ways when working under a brokerage. From you to the broker and back down, every party should work to hold each other accountable in positive ways. This is just another way of showing support.
Some agents advised ensuring that agents don't feel forgotten about or otherwise left to your own devices. Feeling supported while beginning any career is vital. That support can look like advice with clients, tips on who to use for home inspections, etc., and even just checking in to see how things are going. Finding the right fit is where any agent should start when it comes to creating the foundation for their career.
While fees for brokerages all vary so do the services offered. Some brokerages have trainings, some have monthly meetings, and some have less formal ways of offering regular support. Typically built in programs create higher costs.
"You'll Just Know"
At Elite Informer, we talk to active agents regularly and keep up with the pulse through social media. In one of the groups we are in, the question of brokerages was being discussed and one thing was said over and over again: "you'll just know". Various renditions of "you know when you know" were shared by agents to one another and while this can be hard to sit with - perhaps there is some truth to it.
Before deciding if you know; make sure as an agent you feel guided, educated, and supported. If you are and things still don't sit right - it's probably time to move on.
Some agents shared they switched brokerages multiple times and it was worth it because now they feel complete in their environment. Keep an eye out, keep an open mind, and soon you, too, will feel like you have a real estate home.
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