Let me start off by saying I stumbled upon this wonderful site a month ago getting great info on starting my new career as an agent and I'm thankful to you all. I read several posts on choosing a broker and after a couple of weeks of interviews decided to go with C21. But then I get a call from one of the brokers (small w/no name recognition)I first interviewed, she said she needed full time agents for a new development they were getting. I decided to go with her even though her commission split is 45/55. I thought it was worth it since I was basically getting leads coming to me. She didn't offer any classes, but offered one-on-one training. Her main office is an hour away, but she just opened a branch office in my area. Well, I have been with them almost a month now and have learned the "new development" is still in its early stages (still getting zoning approval). And she's offered no one-on-one training, no leads, nothing. She's only been to the branch office once since I've been there. I'm ready to pull my license and go. I really need advice....Am I just being naive to the biz?

No you are not being naive. You should pull your license and go with a more established firm. Personally I think name recognition is important (I have done both name and no-name and I would choose name recog.).

Also, go for as high a split as you can. There will always be help available for your questions even if there isn't "formal" training.

And as far as leads, I believe they are alway way to valuable so I have never seen a real case where the owner/agent gives away legit leads. They keep them themselves because their worth so much and so hard to get.

Not in our office. Sure the broker keeps some leads but I know for a fact that the agents in our office have been given many good leads as well.

Same here. I'm with a small broker and seem to regret it more every day. I wish I did not feel that way but am wasting my time I beleive.
It seems that sellers and buyers are under the mindset that a big firm is the way to go. The big firms charge more than I can afford right now to go that route yet its costing me plenty staying where i am at. I need a second job or maybe go into car sales where people come to you every day.

I'm with you agent761. The other big name companies nickle and dime you to death. For a new agent that's not always possible to come up with so much cash up front. But like you said I'm losing money with the small broker and maybe a big name is worth the money because of the name recognition gives you a leg up in the business. I just feel that my broker exagerrated in my interview with her to get me to come on board and I just don't know if I should stick it out or go.

This Broker led you on false pretenses.If the property is pending zoning they have NOTHING.

You have to get the approval,usually the purchase of the land is contingent on getting the zoning they need.Without getting the zoning they need the land would be worthless for the purpose the builder needs it for so they wouldn't buy it.This is way off from the point you can sell the properties stage and you need now business.That split is pretty bad,if the price point of the homes is high that you might make some commission on it,if ti is a small sales price subdivision with that split you will have to move alot of homes to bring in a decent commission.

Trust you gut,tell the broker you need now business and leads until the subdivision materializes,if they can't get the for you you might want to switch.

I am assuming that the current zoning is not compatable with what the builder wishes to put up. If that's the case, this could go on a loooooong time. I'm not unfamiliar with zoning changes and in least in my area a change in zoning can take months if not years and is far from guaranteed! There are environmental impact studies, traffic pattern analysis, public hearings - and in our city, approval by the city council in a majority vote. I've seen proposals postponed for month after month and the plans revised and changed again and again.

Right now in our city, we are having a zoning issue regarding a senior housing facility (high-end condos for an area zoned for single-family homes and minimal density). The initial public presentation was June of 2005. The plans have been revised three times already and the city council just postponed the vote until next month. Not so much as one shovel of dirt has been unearthed in all this time.... I expect that they will vote in May or June - 2 years AFTER the initial presentation to the public..Then and only then can they so much as put a spade in the ground.

Naturally, a great deal depends on how contentious zoning issues are in the area. Around here, density has reached a point where public concern about overdevelopment is a hot-button issue. Depending on where they are in the approval process, it could be a cold day in hell before you see a commission. Super Realtor is correct... Get out of there!

Honestly just leave if you have to and you feel it's going nowhere. But first see if whether the new agent or experienced are getting anything out of this so called new development.

I'll help you. Go to Keller Williams Realty. We have around the clock training. We online training. We have our own Univeristy. We are the 4th largest Real Estate company in North America. We offer you profit share. We love new agents. You get your own personal website, marketing training and now we have our own MLS Company. Our splits work better for you and we have a yearly flat rate that doesn't increase. Once you paid your yearly rate you become a 100% commison agent. We are also an open book company. Which means you get to see where the money goes and you can see how much the owner made. The owner can not maker more then 50% of the profit of that office. The other 50% is set aside for the agents. NO ONE DOES THIS BUT US.

And we give back. KW by itself gave over 5 million to your state to help with the rebuilding.

Our goal is to help you. You don't work for us - You work with us. Once you go KW you will never work for anyone else again. Go to my website http://4saletours.com and click on Careers for more information about our company. Feel Free to Call me for more advise. 951-271-3056

Good Luck

jeannie -

I started with a big national name company then went with a mid size company in my area. I now work for a small brokerage house and thrive. I am sure the training I got at the big name store does help, but it just takes time, patience, and perseverance in order to succeed.

Maybe you can find a mentor and watch what they do. Often a small brokerage house gives you a lot of leeway and room to grow. In the mean time quit whining about not getting any leads and get out and shake the bushes. Expireds and FSBOs are excellent ways for new agents to get business. Good quality prospects and low expenses.

If you don't go out and look for business it certainly won't just come to you. It took me about 4-5 years to get into a good real estate groove. Maybe you are being a little bit naive to the biz.

Talk to your broker. Remember, if you fail then she doesn't make money either, so helping you become succesful is in her best interest as well.

I like working in a small brokerage, personally. We have no formal training but my principal's advice is always there when I need it, and the split is great. I am very self-motivated and am having success just hittin' it hard every day. I have found that, for our approach anyway, NOT being a big brokerage has some real advantages. There are no shortage of clients who don't want McDonalds or Olive Garden, (as in, big franchises) they want something special. And we deliver it.

That said, a GOOD small brokerage is sort of an invite-only affair; they are much less likely to just take on any old rookie broker.

-jeff

I too work in a small office and love it!!!!!!!! if I ever left it would be for a KW office though...

I am in a similar situation. My uncle works for a small office and he is suggesting that I join this office. I am also considering EXIT but I am not sure if I should go with the small office or EXIT. The split with the small offic eis 50/50 but there are no annual fees like EXIT and the office specializes in HUD so you do not have to split the commission 4 ways. He also pays for the advertising in the papers which I would have to pay at EXIT but EXIT offers the 5 session training program which is great.

I to am in the same position as this posting. I work in a small office and we do not receive any leads and my broker is a competing broker. The training is very minimal. Where I live Realty Executives and Coldwell Banker are really really big. What are your opinions on these companies? If anyone works for these companies I would love to hear the pros/cons.