Do any brokerage offices offer any insurance, 401k, or other retirements plans?

None of them here . . . unless you are an employee, which agents - as a general rule - are not. We are independent contractors. We set our own hours and work the business when and how we choose to (within state law and local custom).

The rental manager, while licensed, is not a Realtor. She is a sales associate - she has to be licensed to manage the rentals for the company. She works for a salary and has whatever benefits she has negotiated -- and I think all she gets is 2 weeks paid vacation (she's been there more than 5 years).

I understand that benefits are available with some brokers in some areas. You need to ask your prospective brokers, they may not all have the same answer!

wow really? Benefits for us........are you sure?!

I know that Zip Realty (who I believe is getting close to a national company) offers benefits. I still haven't quite figured out how or why good, group health insurance isn't offered through the NAR. They are the most powerful trade group in the country. They should have some clout, when it comes to getting reasonable rates for their members!


John from Boston

John that's because SMALL health insurance companies have been fighting the bill for years every time NAR introduces it to pass legislation..

The reason is small insurance companies feel they would only be left with the high risk patients and paying out lots of money and NAR would cherry pick and take all the low claim healthy patients.With insurance companies it's all about the money and how many times legally they can try and deny a claim.Statistics show them if they can make a claim difficult or deny the first try then there customers give up in frustration.

I have to say that I am self employed like many of you are, and I have insurance for my wife and I through Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem and its pretty good insurance. It is considered "self employed" or "individual" plans however its almost better than some plan I have had from employers in the past. We pay about $200 a month and have a $25 co pay for a PPO with very good prescription coverage. You have to add dental for a little more though.

Just a thought if you were upset you might not be able to get benefits through a broker.