I will be taking the state exam in the next week or so and have started looking around at Brokers. I know that today's technology allows people to telecommute, I do that now with the job I have, but has anyone worked for a brokerage that has nothing but a virtual office? To become an agent with the company there is no interview, you simply sign up online, they provide all training online, and it doesn't appear that you ever deal with the Broker or anyone face to face in real life. Not that I need someone to hold my hand and tell me what to do, I have been working in the real estate field for over 15 years, just not as a licensed agent. I just wonder if this works well for others just starting out.

Hi Annette, good question.

My concern with this setup is this...

Firstly, how do you receive Support? Meaning, you are doing a deal and you have questions that you normally would ask your manager or broker. Is there a person you can call that can be reached easily?

For me personally, I needed to have an office where I would be surrounded by Real Estate conversations all day. This did 2 things for me. It kept up my accountability in that I had to be at an office everyday, I had a place to go to. Secondly, there are always things to learned from other Agents. Getting open houses, learning new ideas etc. I just don't think you could get this from a course online.

Also, how about floor time? In a busy office there is a chance for you to get some leads from this. I had one Agent that did 9 deals from floor time in one year.

Just some things to think about.

best

marty

I think it might be good if you were a seasoned professional. Sounds like you know the field, but if I were just starting out as an agent I still might want better opportunities to interact with other people in some fashion.

I still think any "virtual office" should still offer good, LIVE, human support and opportunities to be in touch with other agents within your company. It is important for me to be able to swap war stories and otherwise easily stay in touch with other agents.

Meanwhile, I run a virtual brokerage. Go figure.