I am about 2 weeks away from getting my liscence. I realized I wanted to get liscenced when I started work as an assistant to a great realtor in town. I have been taking my classes at her branch and the broker has offered me a job. I was really excited because I liked the broker and me and the woman I have been working for have become good friends and we decided we would do great as partners, not to mention how much I could learn by doing this and how much easier she could make the beginning of my career.

So, recently I was at the office when there was a conflict between the broker and another agent- full blown yelling, slamming things around, cussing each other out. Well, my boss/partner informed me that the broker was firing the man because he had came across some great properties with some great selling potential- we're talking 6 properties in a row worth over 1mill each with investors lined up. And supposedly other agents in the office were upset that he didn't let them in on these properties. They actually went to the broker and complained and said they didnt want to work in the same office as this man. So the broker told him she was goingt o let him go! AND KEEP HIS ALL THESE LISTINGS!

Now, I am having second thoughts on working for this broker and in the same office as these greedy agents.But I want to stick with the woman who has been so happy to help me succeed! Is this normal for people in this indusrty to behave this way? Is this right to do? Should he have shared his listings? Is the broker breaking the law or code of ethics by firing him?

p.s. this was reposted from aspiring agents- i am recieving no replies and am desperate for an answer- thank you in advance!

This certainly sounds like a red-flag issue to me! But then, it's really hard to tell from the outside. As for the broker keeping the listings - yes, that is the general practice (at least here in California). I'm a little confused about why the agent was expected to 'let the other agents in on' those listings. I think there's more to this than we know.

If you want to 'try this broker out', you can, but be advised if it doesn't work out and you decide to leave, your listings will stay with your broker. (As a general rule.)

I'm currently working out of an office full of AMAZING people who help each other at every turn. It's the first and only office I've worked in, and I'm so grateful for the agents here. However, I have heard some terrible stories about what goes on in other offices.

Here's what I would suggest. Make a list of at least 10 brokers to interview. Yup - I said for YOU to interview! Brokers are so anxious to add new agents to their offices that you should be able to walk into an interview with enough confidence to ask all the questions you need to ask. Ask them! Find out if each broker you speak to has the same ethics and moral standards you have.

After you've narrowed your possible brokerages down to three or four, visit each one again. Hang around if you can - get a 'feel' for what the atmosphere in each is.

As to the agent you've been working with, how does she feel about the broker? Was there 'one bad egg' in the office who is now gone - leaving the possibility for peace and cooperation among the others?

Once you've interviewed brokers (including the one whose office you're in now) and after you've watched the atmosphere in the office you're in for a couple of weeks, you'll have more information to base your decision on.

You'll need to know what each broker offers as far as compensation and how much each expects you to contribute to office expenses. Also, how necessary is it for you to get a 'quick start'? The market is very slow everywhere now. If you can't go a long time without a paycheck, then it might be even more desireable for you to stick with the agent you're currently working with.

I know this is long, and I really hope it has helped you. It's almost midnight here and I'm not even sure I'm making sense! LOL!

I wish you the very best.

Thank you so much for your response.

Yes, I do definitely have the feeling I do not know the whole story. But I have found out more! I found out that the Leader of the team which "wanted in on the listings" husband used to own this brokerage but someone bought him out but she continued to work there. When he did own it- she was pretty much owner so she always knew which agents had which listings, so SUPPOSEDLY now shes "upset" thaT she doesn't have that privilage anymore. Sounds like a bunch of bla bla bla drama huh? Anyway that team quit this week, so maybe it will be an ok place to work in.

What questions would you suggest asking the brokers I interview?

Also, what commission split would you say would be just too low. I hear most places in town are anywhere between 70 and 90, but this particular broker is 52? Is that terribly bad?

Hmmm... I'll see if I still have my list of questions that I used. It worked out great for me! If I can find it, I'll let you know.

Hey! I guess I never throw anything away! Here's the little checklist/form I brought with me on interviews. Of course, it isn't all-inclusive. We also talked about our ethics, morals and beliefs since those things are extremely important to me. In my case, the broker I selected is the one who actually prayed with me at the end of the interview - cool eh? -)

I hope this helps. Anyone else out there have any suggestions?

BROKER: _________________________________________
Required Training? Fees for same?

Optional Training offered?

Membership to CVA or others required? Funded?

Desk Fees? Phone Fees? Agent-Paid Office Expenses:

E&O Insurance - who pays? How much? How often?

Required Forms Provided?

Wireless Internet Access in the Office?

In House Mortgage Broker? Ok to use my own?

How many active listings right now? Per agent?

Percentage of Listings that end with a sale:

How many agents hired in last year? How many still there?

Commission Split?

Commission Flexibility?

I wonder if it was a situation where the first agent wanted to double dip and had buyer's lined up for his listings. It would perhaps upset other agents in the office that have clients looking for those type of properties and they would not be given a chance to make offers on those properties. That would be a violation of ethics.

You are kidding right? That is definately not a ethics violation. What section of the COE did you think it violated?

There is nothing unethical about having a buyer lined up before the listing goes active. If you have alot of buyers in your pipeline then that will happen more often than you think.

This happends every day in my area. In a nod to the old schoolers...it shows up as Sold Before Print.(Sold Books were used in the Jurrasic Age) Our MLS allow 2 days after listing contract is signed before submitting into service. You can bet the ranch that LA will be shopping it into their buyer pool like mad for 48 hours. Who does not love the Double Bubble. If you had the contacts to put both buyer and seller together that quick...you deserve every penny.

I want to know why some folks think that selling your own listing is "double dipping" or unethical.

You are not taking twice the commission, you are taking all of the commission (apart from your broker split). there is nothing "double" or "unethical" about it as long as dual agency is disclosed to the parties involved and legal in your region!

Locally, A written employment contract would have avoided this type of situation. What is agreed to in writing prevails all through the real estate industry and if you haven't got in writing... then you haven't got it.

Generally, the listing representative, as an employee or an independent contractor is acting on behalf of the seller/client for the brokerage firm and when he is instrumental in completing the sale of a property that he listed then he is entitled to the listing portion of the agreed commission and as agreed with the broker/firm and the owner of all the listings.

The listing representative may also find a buyer for one of his listing and then he is entitled to the selling portion of the agreed commission split.

All the other sales representatives of the firm are entitled to try and sell any and all the the brokerage firms listed properties to any interested buyer they can find and receive the selling brokers portion of the agreed commission.

I am not aware of the brokers reasons, but if the sale representative was insubordinate and argued with the broker over the ownership of the brokerage firm's listings, that certainly could have played a large part, in conjunction with any VALID COMPLAINTS of the other agents.

Well, judging from the information provided, I must say that your broker definitely crossed the line. Granted, people are jealous of the man because of his performance, and they all want a piece. The broker is probably being pressure by the other employees to discipline him or let him go. However, from what I read, she does not have the right nor legal backing for her response. I studied employment law for around 3 years and this definitely sets up a flag.

That man might legitimately have a case, but for something like that to happen, a lot more research must be done.

As far as your situation, it really is up to you. If you believe you can stay in there and keep your nose clean, go for it. However, if you think you might fall victim to bad practice then make sure to weigh that risk accordingly.