Whether you are making a transition to a new brokerage firm or just starting your career in real estate, as an agent, choosing the right brokerage to work with is a big decision that can have a direct effect on your business. Your real estate brokerage can be so much more than where you hang your license. It has the power to open new doors for business, increase your exposure in the communities you want to focus on, and enhance your knowledge of the industry and markets in which you need to be an expert. Outside of your split and benefit package, there are some fundamental aspects of the business to consider. Hold your new brokerage to high standards and it will pay off in your production. Here are five things to look for in a real estate brokerage.
- A Smooth Onboarding Process and Effective Training Program: As a real estate agent, you run your own business. A key aspect to any successful business is a solid foundation and intuitive business plan. Your new brokerage should provide you with both. A seamless onboarding process and orientation with a new brokerage means you can hit the ground running and spend more time focusing on your current and potential clients. Once you’ve been brought on board, there should be ongoing training not only to ensure you are operating efficiently, but to keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the industry and ways in which you can capitalize.
- Easily Accessible Resources and Support: Having in-house resources can be extremely helpful to your ongoing business production. You will inevitably have questions and concerns regarding everything from legal issues to accounting when dealing with transactions and clients. Having a knowledgeable and trustworthy in-house staff that you can turn to is not only incredibly useful, but convenient as well.
- A Philosophy You Can Get on Board with: As an agent, you can think of yourself as a branch of the company you join. As a representative, it is important that you make sure your own philosophy aligns with theirs. The mission statement of a company can define the way it operates, so the overall goals and intentions of the brokerage can have a direct impact on your future there. This can also play a role in how the community perceives the brokerage and this brings us to our next point…
- Credible Leadership and a Positive Reputation: Of course, if the general public sees a brokerage in a negative light, they are going to be less likely to get involved with them. As an arm of their business, you will inevitably be associated with these opinions. People in leadership roles within the company should have respectable and positive reputations as well. Doing some research into a brokerage that you are interested in can really pay off as you come across reviews, media coverage, and more about the name and reputation they have made for themselves.
- A Solid Marketing Program: Growing your business as a real estate agent requires a huge amount of strategic marketing and branding. Not only should your new brokerage execute their own marketing programs well, they should provide you with materials and tools that enhance your exposure in your target markets. Consider both the online and print programs they offer, the look and feel of their overall brand, and if they focus more on traditional or innovative tactics.
For more tips and information geared toward real estate and brokerage service professionals please subscribe to our blog. Also, keep an eye out for the Agent High Five column with agent-specific articles!