I am a quarter of the way through my classes and hope if I am able to stick to my schedule I should take my test on April 13. When should I start talking to agencies? I have a couple in mind but I am a little unsure of what I should be doing and when. Do I call, ask for the broker, and then say what? I have been racking my brain trying to come up with what I should say and, pitiful as it is, I have nothing. When I meet with them is there anything I should take with me.

One of the angencies I am looking at was started by the agent that helped my husband and I find our house and two of my husbands close friends are agents for him. One of them was a groomsmen in our wedding and the others wife was a bridesmaid. I have reservations about working with close friends but then I know they would help me get started and answer any questions I have.

Any insight would be helpful.

Managing brokers are used to inquiries by people still in real estate school, so don't fret about the interview. At this point, you probably don't have any idea of what to expect or what to ask, so go ahead and tell them that! They'll probably be just fine leading the interview.

The most important thing (IMO) is that you feel comfortable in the office and with the managing broker. You're going to need help your first few months, so a good rapport with the boss (or other trainer-type person) is critical.

Regarding intervieiwng, I would wait until you're almost finished with school.

I have a blog on Active Rain called "Some thoughts on choosing your office" that might help. http://activerain.com/blogsview/34237/First-Things-First-Some

Good luck!

If you do a search in this same area you will find a lot of good suggestions from the members. Let me say you are in a good position by having friends and people you know who already work for that one broker. I would ask them how they feel about their experience with this particular Broker. I also would ask them if they had mentors or any type of program when they started and how they liked, or thought it helped them. As far as some of the things you can ask the broker would be if they offer mentoring along with training and how in depth do they help you with your first few deals. Some agencies charge you a % to give you a mentor on your first few deals. Also ask about their Commission split and any desk fees they may have along with transaction fees. Also be sure to look at the agreement before signing. See if they limit you on how many personal transactions you can do for yourself a year. Do not be afraid to ask questions that seem silly. You want to be comfortable with you end up with. Also don't be afraid to check out the big name companies to or the companies you see a lot in your area. But bottom line for new agents will be training and lots of training and guidance. Good Luck