I passed my California RE Exam about a week ago, and I will be applying for my license this week. I was just wondering where do I go from here? How do I choose which brokerage to work for? Also if you guys have any other info for new agents, feel free to post.

There are lots of books out there that talk about your first year in real estate and how to approach it. A quick search on Amazon.com will give you more choices than you can imagine.

You need to work out a list of questions for brokers you are going to interview. At this point in your career, what are the most valuable things a broker can offer you? Training? Mentoring? Advertising support? Find out all that the offer. On training, ask to see a training schedule or speak with the folks who do the training.

Treat this as if you were interviewing them for a job. After all, your work is what ultimately makes them money.

When you ask your questions, make sure and address what happens to listings and properties in escrow if you leave the brokerage. You will want to be able to take your business with you if you leave for another office.

R

The majority of my listings will be my father's who buys and sells a LOT of property, which is one of the main reasons I got the license. Should I use this as a tool in finding a broker?

Ah... ok... that could change the situation.

If you are not looking at going out and prospecting yourself, but rather spending the bulk of your time supporting your dads efforts, then maybe your best bet is to go with the broker that will give you the biggest split.

I am assuming here that you want to do some level of business outside what your dad brings in. So I would suggest that you do indeed use your dad a bargaining chip with brokerages.

Go with the brokerage you like the most and that offers you the most as a new agent. Their split will likely be 50/50...60/40... something like that. Then try to negotiate a better split for yourself based on the fact that you already have a ready-made built in source of business.

Go for the balance between the split you can get and what the broker offers.

Of course, if you KNOW your just going to service your dad... just go with the numbers. Use the brokerage with the best deal... that could be a split of the commission or a deal where you keep 100% of the commission and the broker just gets a flat fee for every escrow you close.

R

Thank you very much for the information.

I started in the yellowpages and checked online about each firm that interested me. Their website can tell you a lot. Then I did a disciplinary search on the brokers and any questionable agents for any actions or suspensions. Then I set MY priorities and numbered the remainder, mailed my resume and cover letter, and waited to return calls. I followed up with those who did not call me, Interviewed them (these interviews go both ways, you know)and made my selection.

I thing you should concentrate on the broker with the best training. The higher commission split will come later after you prove yourself. When you are successful, the brokers will be falling all over themselves trying to recruit you down the road.