In its 2016 Member Profile, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) reported that that the median tenure agents work with a brokerage firm is three years. Translation? Agents change office at least three times within a 10-year period of time.

Obviously, there are many reasons to change brokerage firms just there are many reasons to change professionals and/or home locations. Some of those reasons to change brokerage firms may include wanting a better commission split, a better “fit” with the people in the firm, a disagreement with the broker/owner, a better fit with the firm’s overall culture, a better, more consistent focus on a particular geographic market area, etc.

Whatever the reason for wanting to change brokerage firms, Jay Kinder of Kinder Reese, a coaching service specific for real estate teams, offers agents these tips when evaluating their next brokerage firm:

  1. Take a good look at the firm’s “culture.”
    1. According to NAR, 95% of agents believe that the culture of the brokerage firm is more important than the firm’s compensation package.
    2. Do you want a firm culture on the cutting edge of systems and real estate tech?
    3. Do you want a firm culture that is proactive rather than reactive to market conditions?
    4. Do you want a firm that has weathered and sustained itself in every market condition?
    5. Do you want a firm composed of young and coming agents or a firm composed of seasoned professionals or do you want a mix>
    6. Do you want a firm that provides training and mentorship opportunities or a firm that provides great but laissez faire leadership?
  2. Take a good look at the brokerage firm’s leadership who set the tone of the firm on a daily basis.
    1. Look beyond the CEO, the vice presidents and the regional managers…talk with the marketing team, the tech team…talk with EVERYONE.
    2. Look carefully at the firm’s reputation.
    3. Look carefully at the firm’s presence in the local area…is its presence in name only or is the firm a team player within the community?
    4. Look carefully to determine whether or not the firm is ahead/behind market shifts and tech trends.
    5. Look carefully to determine whether or not the firm embraces a spirit of coordination to avoid imbalances.
  3. Take a good look at the firm’s support systems.
    1. Make certain that the firm’s support systems can/do support you and your goals.
    2. Make certain that your choice of firm is based upon what is 100% best for you.
    3. Know the kinds of support services that best support you goals.
      1. Is there ongoing professional development?
      2. Do the marketing tools offered by the firm support your goals?
      3. Does the firm’s support embrace your lead generation efforts?
      4. Do the firm’s vendors support your needs and the needs of your clients?

Bottom line here…take nothing and no one for granted in your process of choosing a different brokerage firm. Do your research, do your due diligence and do see yourself as the asset to any firm that you are.

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