I thought I’d post this question from Melissa T since a lot of people seem to be asking it lately:
I am a real estate agent in Southern NJ. I spent a lot of time deciding on a Broker to join. I decided to go with a small real estate company for the “one on one” touch. I signed up two weeks ago and it is off to a bad start. I have yet to have my extension on the company phone system, my info is not on the website with the other agents and they recently printed out new brochures a few days ago and I am not on it. There are even people who joined after me on it. Whenever I ask about it, they say “Oh, I will get right on that”. But, it is never done. One of the brokers (there are two) actually seemed agitated when I ask her to show me how to use the Trend system. At this point, I am only signed up for Trend. I have yet to get info from Realtor, E&O or anything, even though I gave them all the checks for it when I signed up. I have business cards that they printed out for me on day one with my picture, but that’s it. I want to get started but I don’t feel like I am an agent.
Answer: J Philip has a good point. Whatever you do, explain your reasons first and let them know why you’re not satisfied, because you may end up working with them in a transaction later and want to keep a good relationship and a professional reputation. Just let them know you don’t feel like they’re giving you what you need to get your career started and you’re possibly going to look for an office that’s a better fit. Beyond that, if you do decide to go to another office, do some research and try to talk to at least one agent who works there and one that’s moved from there to another office about the good and bad points of it. Most brokers will try to “sell” you on their office, because they make money form desk fees, commission splits, etc by having you with them. Find one with a good training program, and possibly a mentor program, if you want that one-on-one type of touch. Also, find out how much ongoing training/education is offered, and what you’ll have to pay for out of pocket vs. what is provided by the company.For training and education, I’m partial to Keller Williams, but I’ve also heard good things about Coldwell Banker, some C21 offices, and Tarbell. There are also good 3rd party training & coaching programs, and many will try to get you to sign up, but they’re very expensive for someone just starting out. You can learn a lot of the basics from reading books and online info & scripts – the hard part is making the time to practice the scripts, and follow through with the basics [ie, making prospecting calls, knocking on doors, sending out postcards, etc]. Also, remember you are now in business for yourself, and you’ll have to treat it like a business, rather than a job, if you want to make any money, or even just break even.My top book recommendations for new agents are:The Real Estate Agent’s Business Planner – Bridget McCreaThe Millionarie Real Estate Agent – Gary KellerThe Complete Idiot’s Guide To Success as a Real Estate Agent – Marilyn SullivanMastering the Art of Selling Real Estate – Tom Hopkins21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me – Frank CookOther good authors/speakers to look for, for both real estate and general sales training, as well as motivation/mindset are Dirk Zeller, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Mike Ferry, Carla Cross, Brian Buffini, Jeffrey Gitomer, Og Mandingo, Napolean Hill, & Earl Nightingale. Whatever personal development and “training” you can give yourself will be just as important as the training your broker provides. It’s a lot cheaper getting the books from the library or ebay than it is signing up for expensive seminars and teleconferences to tell you the basics that are covered by most book and tape series. Once you master the basics, and are earning the income to cover the investment, then consider paid coaching and.or training.