First broker was a very pleasant lady with CB....very informative, charges no desk fees,supplies business cards, provides free training....but kind of required that I needed to devote time for " in time" as far as spending time in the office, and that would require my having to resign from my current P/T job in another job I have.....2nd interview was with a guy who MUST have been a used car salesman in a previous life, very type-A personality....maybe even type AAAA+++, a bit too much for me...have to buy my own business cards, he's not affiliated with a major brokerage, he an independent broker, no desk fees...he will provide training for me, free training and is flexible with my training and is willing to work with me as far as my other job goes...

I'd really like to go with the CB job, only thing is, I'd have to resign my other job, BUT my territory would be rather big....very confused here as far as what to do

I started out with Coldwell Banker, I think they are a good company to begin with. They have excellent training.

If you are serious about your real estate career, you will need to devote time for training and gaining clients. However, I would not quit a job just starting out, you may even pick up some clients from your other job :-)...Best wishes!

Thanks, Peace...I much prefer the Coldwell Banker brand...and I don't think I'll be quitting my other job....when you were with them, were they a 50/50 split company?

Yes, unfortunately I started out on a 50/50 split. They would go up according to your production.

They do a lot of advertising and have receptionists to take care of all of the appointments and some of the paperwork, which is nice... so it was'nt too bad...

BUT my territory would be rather big.

What does that mean. They assign territories?

I think you need to discover what type of training each provide. There are different levels of training. There is the kind that tells you how to find clients and nothing else. Then there is the kind that helps you find clients and also how to do the transactions without getting sued and how to handle it smoothly.

Buying business cards shouldn't be one of your reasons for joining a company over another. They don't cost that much. The split and type of training is much more important then that.

Remember not all CB companies are the same. The one in my area doesn't do to much advertising. In fact that company had a total of 2 closings last month. And I can't remember the last time I saw a CB ad on TV if that's what you are talking about.

I agree that business cards are not a determining factor, but just from my 2 interviews, I found the one with CB to be much more professionally presented...she seemed upfront and interested in Me, rather than listening to this other guy ramble on about how good HE is !
CB does not have ANY listings in my area at all, just Remax and a LOT of independant brokers...CB requires me to be in their office to answer phones and be a member of some Rotary club type of establishment....
Seeing as this is my first venture into the real estate sales business, I would appreciate any and all information I can gather from you experienced professionals in here.

It certainly sounds like you are leaning towards CB, and I would do the same in your situation. What helped me decide with KW as my first agency is that the mentor/broker seemed to have a sincere interest in helping me succeed, whereas some others brokers with whom I interviewed were more apathetic. It seems like you already made up your mind about CB.

The only problem I have with CB broker, was her flexibility as far as my working my part time job until early afternoon....she wants me in the office on a set time during the week. I'd like to have some guaranteed money coming in , especially with my wife being out of work and just working P/T herself...the other broker, the fat talking used car salesman type, is flexible with his training...but his training lasts 5 weeks, whereas CBs' is just 7-10 days...I'd like to really jump onboard with someone BEFORE the tax credit ends on 4/30 as well.

Why only two brokers, talk to some others!!

I have only been contacted by 3 of them so far...CB and 2 Independants....after the first Independant, I'm afraid to speak to the 3rd, LOL....I sat with the guy for over an hour and all he did was talk about himself,how great he is...kind of reminded me a LOT of the Ricky Gervais character on the British Office, especially the part where he said..." I hold all the training sessions here myself, I really like making people laugh"

Why not interview the RE/MAX and other independents with listings in your area? You know if you are going to be in that CB office to answer the phones you are going to be getting sign calls from wherever they have listings. You don't have to wait to be contacted by them.

I agree.

[quote=Doin' bpose][quote=MontyC21]Why only two brokers, talk to some others!! [/quote]

I agree. [/quote]

Agreed as well, I'm still in the process of interviewing my brokers, and I have gone as far as just walking in w/o an appointment to see if they are all just sitting around or working..

I've been to just over 10 my self.. so far.

manning. Of the ones you just have walked in have you gotten to talk to anyone? I'm just curious.

I usually end up with a "sales/office manager" and they are almost always available. Most of the "large" companies around here the principal broker is not at the actual office I'm looking at working out of.