Broker/Appraiser,

i figured that you are kidding, but have to ask...are you serious? i like what you post almost all of the time. i know that you joke quite often and am not sure if you really mean what you had just typed or not.

setting up an agent with an individual identity will help in the long term success of the agent.

What about if you own the company? Can you then use the brokerage's information?

I even make my agents put my name on their wedding invitations etc. It's all about me. If they don't like it, i'll send them to feed my pit bulldogs! Using MY NAME is a privilege. BigC

Broker/Appraiser,

i figured that you are kidding, but have to ask...are you serious? i like what you post almost all of the time. i know that you joke quite often and am not sure if you really mean what you had just typed or not.

setting up an agent with an individual identity will help in the long term success of the agent.

Aha, but if you're in Canada, the name@brokerage is almost de rigeur. Many agents have their own website instead of the one their brokerage makes available to them, but even then they'll often use the name@brokerage e-address.
Part of the reason -- and an important one -- is a legal requirement that the (real) agent is the brokerage not the agent him/herself. Moreover, every real estate firm has to be named and identified in its ads and websites as SucAndSuchBrokerage. This means an individual agent isn't allowed to advertise in his/he own name alone. The ad has to include the brokerage's name.
In effect, the law is that it's the brokerage NOT the agent that's seen as the (true) owner of any listing. Thus, if you want to change to another brokerage you cannot take your still active listings with you UNLESS you have your current Broker of Record's consent.
See, we Canucks DO do things differently, eh?

Duncan

This AMAZES me. When I do speaking engagements, I collect business cards from the audience and at least 90% of them have their broker's name as their email address. This is crazy. Once an email address gets stored in someone's address book, it's there forever.

Part of the reason -- and an important one -- is a legal requirement that the (real) agent is the brokerage not the agent him/herself. Moreover, every real estate firm has to be named and identified in its ads and websites as SucAndSuchBrokerage. This means an individual agent isn't allowed to advertise in his/he own name alone. The ad has to include the brokerage's name.

I would quit and move to another brokerage immediately.

Rule 520-1-.09 (1) Media. This rule regulates advertising whether done personally by a licensee or through any media. The term “media” includes, but is not limited to, print, photographic, broadcast, and computer media including, but not limited to, such examples as newspapers, magazines, flyers, posters, business cards, billboards, radio, television, signs (including, but not limited to, office, directional, for sale, for lease, sold, or vehicle signs) , newsletters, and the Internet.

[Editor's Note: (New language is underscored. Deleted language is struck through . Unchanged language is not marked.)

Required that when licensees advertise a specific property or properties for sale, for rent, or for exchange, the name of the licensed firm offering the property must appear in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the name or names of any affiliated licensees or groups of licensees.

Rule 520-1-.09 (7) Firm Names and Telephone Numbers in Advertising. In advertising a specific property or specific properties for sale, for rent, or for exchange in any media:

(a) all firms must include in the advertisement a name of the firm that is registered with the Commission and a telephone number for the firm, except when complying with lawful restrictions (such as covenants or local governmental ordinances) that forbid the use of the firm's name on a particular type of sign;

(b) the name of the licensed firm offering the property for sale, for rent, or for exchange shall appear in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the name or names of any affiliated licensee or groups of licensees;

(c) the firm's telephone number shall appear in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the telephone number of any affiliated licensee or groups of licensees, and it must be a number at which the public can reach the broker or a manager without going through the affiliated licensee(s) listed in the advertisement;

(d) whether contained in a logo or standing alone, the name of the firm as registered with the Commission must be in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the name of any affiliated licensee or group of licensees; and

(e) a block advertisement in any print media that advertises various listings of a brokerage firm and includes the name of the listing agent next to each listing shall be in compliance with this rule if the name of the brokerage firm appears only once at the top of the advertisement in equal or greater prominence and print size than any of the listing agent's names. The firm's name may be located in other positions in such block advertisements if the firm name appears clearly larger and more prominently than the name of any other licensee in the advertisement.

Note: The broker may always impose more stringent requirements as company policy.

Post caught my eye. Seems like some very bad blanket statement advice. Real estate advertising varies from State to State. You would want to check with your state's Real Estate Commission before you take any advice given outside of the rules you are bound to by both your Broker and your State's commission.

It is possible that it may be fine to leave out your Broker from your email. Your real estate web site, however, would be different, since of course you would be advertising real estate on your site (I hope). In this event, here is a snippet from my State's RE advertising law:

Regards.

Ah, I read the post title as, "never use your brokers name in your email or website!" maybe it should read, "don't use your broker's name as part of your email address or domain name unless you have to" as there were several posts talking about size of logo and such (referring to content).

There doesn't have to be a conspiracy theory against the big bad broker. Many agents want to have the instant name recognition of their very popular, well known, trusted Brokerage name. When we join together under our Broker putting our team's name out there as much as possible, collectively we can create a positive presence for the team as a whole, and will be greater standing together as one, than a bunch of "every man for himself'ers."

When I was under a Broker, I played along with a team spirit. It was her brokerage name in my emails, business cards, web site, her office phone number, etc. While I was on that team and paying my dues (figuratively and literally), I helped build that team. I was confident enough that one day when I left (she knew that was my intention from day one - I don't promise infinite employment but I do promise team spirit), that people would remember me from that great team, and would continue to do business with me - and I was right. Bottom line is: when I was on a team, I was totally committed to that team.

The more you disassociate yourself with the Broker's established brand (no broker name in email address, no broker name in domain name, or wherever it may be permissible) the more you lose their Brand, and less of a team Brand you will help create.

With that mentality, when/if you are all on your own, I hope you get a bunch of agents just like you. Maybe then you'll understand what it's all about.

I understand the whole team thing, branding thing, etc. as an agent. I can see the brokers side wanting a consistant branding. I've talked to brokers who said no way I could use my own email address or website, It came from the company. It was not a fit for me.

Im a fan of buying used cars. I have a salesman that I trust, he has served my family over many years. I have given his card out to many people. Over the years, he has changed dealerships. My last truck I bought from him was an F-150. He worked at a GM dealership. I called him on his cell phone, not the Company Number. I told him what I was looking for and guess what, he found what I wanted. When I felt like his dealership was raking me over the coals for a repair he went over and talked to the service people, came back and said take it to this place, they are waiting for you and alot cheaper.

The point being building a "Team Image" only makes the Broker money. So when I leave the brokerage I want my clients to remember ME as an agent, not the company. I want them to call me directly, email me directly. I do not want my clients calling into my brokerage office. If I was a broker, I guess I would want that kind of control. As an agent I will not give up that kind of control.

Thanks REODayton. that was the intent of starthing this thread.

*************what is your email and website address?*********************


you dont have to give it out..use an example.

mine is

email: first@firstlast.com
website: firstlast.com

it has stayed with me through several broker changes and i have never lost a lead from having a company email address

Well, I start threads for discussion, including views from both sides of the fence. Sounds like you started this thread looking for "yes" men. I apologize, for I am not one of those men.

Regards.