Becoming a licensed real estate agent is a major milestone, but choosing the right brokerage is equally important. Before you can begin working with clients, you’ll need to partner with a brokerage that aligns with your career goals and provides the training, mentorship, tools, and support needed to help you grow and succeed as a real estate professional.
This is a crucial choice to make because the brokerage you work with will be instrumental in the success and profitability of your career. Each brokerage is different and will offer different levels of support and services to each agent under their umbrella. What you want is a brokerage that will give you everything you need to learn the tricks of the trade and give you the information and support needed to succeed in your career.
That’s why it’s important that you find the right fit for you. And finding a brokerage to work for is a lot different than being “interviewed” by a traditional employer. Rather than employers having all the power to decide who they will pick to fill a spot in their organization, it’s you who will technically be doing the interviewing before deciding who to work with.
In order to make sure you choose the right brokerage, there are certain steps you should take. Here are some tips for choosing the right real estate brokerage to work with.
Some brokerages sign up their agents and then basically leave them to their own accord, while others offer ongoing mentoring and training, especially for newbies who may have studied their textbooks but need real-world experience on the job. Every new agent needs someone to show them the ropes and has access to a mentor to help them negotiate deals and understand the procedures relevant in their markets.
Ask about the type of training and mentoring offered and what kind of cost it may come with. For instance, many brokerages may offer a lower commission split or charge a small percentage per deal in exchange for mentoring. Assess what your current needs are and what the brokerage offers before you make your decision.
You’re in the business of real estate to make money. It’s your job, and you should be paid accordingly. But your take-home check will depend on the commission that the brokerage charges per transaction. This split can vary from one brokerage to the next and can vary a great deal. For instance, 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and even 90/10 commission splits are just some examples of the types of arrangements that agents have with their brokerages.
It’s important to note that what the brokerage initially quotes isn’t necessarily written in stone. Much like everything else in real estate, the brokerage commission split can be negotiated. There’s no harm in wheeling and dealing with the broker for a commission split that’s more in your favor.
Don’t forget that whatever your cut is, there are also taxes and expenses that will bring that number down, so make sure you settle on a number you can be happy with. Also, some brokerages offer salaries and hybrid models between a salary and commission split. Consider all your options before you make your final decision.
As a real estate agent, you are an independent contractor with your own business. But you are also affiliated with the brokerage you work with. Prospective clients will associate you with the brokerage you’re with, and as such, you want to make sure the brokerage is well-respected and has a good name. The brokerage’s brand recognition and reputation will affect your business, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re associated with a place that people have a positive association with.
You may be familiar with brokerages like RE/MAX, Century 21, or Keller Williams, to name a few. These brokerages are large franchises that have offices all across the nation. But then there are also local independent brokerages that are not affiliated with a big-name franchise. There are pros and cons to working with either type of brokerage, and your job is to determine which type of entity you want to work with.
The pros of working with a franchise are obvious: brand recognition can go a long way, especially since many people have a level of trust in these types of companies. But working with these firms might also mean less control over your business.
An independent brokerage, on the other hand, may afford you more control over how you conduct business and may have a closer tie with the local community. But they might not be able to offer as much support and training as a large franchise might be able to.
The decision you make when it comes to which brokerage to work with is an important one. Having said that, you don’t have to stay at one brokerage forever. But before you decide where to go for a real estate job, be sure to consider all the above-mentioned factors to ensure your decision is a sound one. If you are ready to apply for a home mortgage, Sammamish Mortgage can help. We serve clients across Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and California. Since 1992, we’ve been providing several mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria to borrowers across the Pacific Northwest. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator. Or, reach out to us if you are ready to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
The brokerage you work with directly affects your training, mentorship, commission income, and overall career growth. A good fit can accelerate your success, while a poor fit can leave you without the support needed to build a sustainable business.
Look for brokerages that offer structured onboarding, ongoing education, and access to experienced mentors who can guide you through real-world transactions, local market procedures, and negotiation strategies.
A commission split is the percentage of each transaction’s commission that is divided between the agent and the brokerage. Common arrangements include 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10 splits, with the first number representing the agent’s share.
Yes. Commission splits are often negotiable. Agents can discuss terms with the broker and work toward an arrangement that better reflects their production level, experience, or the value they bring to the brokerage.
Yes. Some brokerages offer salaried positions or hybrid models that combine a base salary with a commission component. Evaluating all available compensation structures helps ensure you choose the model that best fits your financial goals.
Clients often associate agents with the brokerage they represent. A brokerage with strong brand recognition and a positive reputation can build client trust more quickly, while a brokerage with a poor reputation may create obstacles when attracting new business.
Franchise brokerages such as RE/MAX, Century 21, and Keller Williams operate under a nationally recognized brand and typically offer extensive resources and training. Independent brokerages are locally owned, may offer more flexibility and community ties, but may have fewer corporate resources.
Large franchise brokerages offer established brand recognition, national marketing resources, structured training programs, and a level of consumer trust that can help new agents attract clients more easily.
Independent brokerages often provide more autonomy over how you conduct business, stronger ties to the local community, and a more personalized working environment compared to large national franchises.
No. Agents are not required to remain with one brokerage permanently. Many agents change brokerages as their career evolves, their production increases, or their professional needs shift. It is important, however, to make a well-informed initial choice to build a strong foundation.
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