Best Brokerage for New Agents

Don't go it alone.

These three words hold the key to success for every new real estate agent.

The road ahead looks tempting—fresh leads, big commissions, and possibilities just waiting to happen.

But challenges lurk around every bend: frazzled clients, contracts you don't understand, and competitors with decades more experience. Going solo sounds glamorous until reality sets in.

That's why the smartest new agents team up with a supportive brokerage from day one. A great brokerage acts as a security blanket, supporting your growth while you learn the ropes.

With that in mind, this article will explore the key factors to focus on when choosing the brokerage for new agents. For a fast track to success in real estate, contact us today to learn more about becoming a new agent with our brokerage.

How to Choose the Right Brokerage

With over 90,000 brokerages available in the country, choosing the best brokerage can be overwhelming for new agents. But you shouldn’t lose hope

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Here are the 3 key factors to focus on when picking your first brokerage:

1) Traditional vs Virtual

Some agents thrive in bustling traditional offices with on-site support, training, and socializing—think Century 21, Sotheby's, and Berkshire Hathaway. Others value freedom and flexibility, joining virtual brokerages like Movoto, Redfin, and REX where they work remotely.

2) Firm Size

Big national firms offer brand recognition, resources, and leads but sometimes come with tons of competing agents. Smaller local firms and real estate teams provide more personal attention, mentorship, and a tighter-knit community.

3) Hybrid

Startups such as VIP Realty offer the best of both worlds: a hybrid model where agents work remotely yet enjoy higher commissions and fewer competing agents. No battling coworkers for clients. You just focus on what environment and support works for you.

Big firms, small teams, traditional offices—they're all waiting to welcome bright-eyed new agents like you. The key? Find a brokerage match made in heaven, not real estate hell.

3 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Real Estate Brokerage

Before signing on the dotted line with any brokerage, ask yourself three crucial questions to figure out what you need:

1. What Are Your Goals?

Do you seek a mentor to learn the ropes first? Freedom to tailor offerings right away? The resources and name recognition of a big brand? Or the personal attention of a smaller team? Clarify your short and long-term objectives as well as your commission targets.

2. What Support Do They Offer?

Look for opportunities for mentorship, coaching, and training. Check what marketing materials, technology tools, and business services the brokerage provides. Brand recognition can attract clients but so can a personalized approach.

3. What Do Other Agents Say?

Brokerage websites tout their benefits but read agent reviews on sites like AgentAdvice and Glassdoor. Authentic stories from peers provide useful insights into the actual resources, culture, and support offered. Real estate is a jungle, so choose your brokerage partners wisely.

Different firms cater to specific agent types:

• Big brands suit experienced agents craving resources
• Teams offer focused coaching for beginners
• Flexibility attracts freelancers
• Personalized service draws specialists

So define your preferences before touring shiny new offices and sampling free lunches. Distinguish hype from help:

• Do you need hand-holding, freedom, or both?
• High commissions or lower stress?
• Brand recognition or your own identity?
• A tight-knit tribe or the chance to blaze your trail?

Once you know your desired brokerage "personality", don't settle for anything less than a perfect match. So rattle some cages, ask the tough questions, and visualize success at each firm—only then will you find your ideal brokerage.

National Brokerages

Ready to join the big leagues of real estate but unsure if a national brokerage suits you?

Let's weigh the pros and cons:

Pros

• Brand Recognition - Partnering with a well-known brand like Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, or RE/MAX instantly boosts your credibility as a new agent. Perfect for fledglings who lack industry experience to establish their name.
• Large Network - Access to a vast army of experts and seasoned agents within the firm who can mentor you, plus robust training programs to equip you with skills.
• Cutting-Edge Tools - National firms provide the latest real estate technology tools to help you build a website, market your business, and gain a competitive edge.

Cons

• Difficult to Stand Out - With so many agents at these mega firms, standing out from the crowd and building your brand can prove challenging.
• Limited Leads - As a newcomer, you may not receive many client referrals from the brokerage initially. You'll need to hustle to generate your leads, which can take months before you close your first deal.
• Hands-Off Training- While the training programs are top-notch, you may lack opportunities for hands-on guidance and mentorship to put skills into practice.
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Determine the Right Fit

Do you want the backing of a reputable brand that boosts your credibility, at the expense of getting lost in the crowd? Or would you thrive more with personalized attention from a smaller local brokerage scrappier to help you succeed?

National brokerages suit self-motivated agents who crave resources and referrals over coddling. But if you learn best from close mentors who know your name, a boutique firm may fit you better.

Local Real Estate Brokerage

Ready to join the cutthroat world of real estate but unsure if a massive franchise or tiny boutique fits your style? Then a local brokerage might be the ideal option.

Pros

• Hands-on Mentorship - More attention from seasoned agents! Small teams mean mentors know your name and have time to truly teach you the ropes.
• Fewer Competitors = More Leads - Don't get lost in the shuffle. Less red tape means more chances for newer agents to snag referrals and listings.
• Tight-Knit Tribe - Foster stronger connections and a real sense of community within a smaller team. Make friends, not just business contacts.

Cons

• Less Brand Recognition - Tiny brokerages lack the name recognition of behemoth brands, so proving yourself to clients takes extra effort.
• Limited Network - Smaller circle of agents within the firm to learn from and connect with. You'll need to hustle to build your web of contacts.

Determine the Right Fit

If you crave:

• A personal touch
• Guidance from a trusted advisor
• Ample chances to close your first few deals
• A less cutthroat, more collaborative vibe

Then a local brokerage's cozier, and more focused environment may feel like real estate heaven versus brokerage hell.

The key? Matching brokerage style with your preferred style of learning, growing, and succeeding as an agent. So don't discount the little guys—they just might hold the biggest keys to your real estate dreams coming true.

Real Estate Team

A real estate team often consists of several new agents who work under the team's experienced, successful leader. Such teams are available at both regional and international brokerages. Wondering if joining a real estate team will propel or hinder your success as a new agent?

Let's weigh the pros and cons:

Pros

• Access to Leads Galore - Tap into a never-ending fountain of pre-qualified leads that a seasoned team leader has cultivated.
• All the Support You Crave - Lean on a whole squad of mentors for coaching, training, and know-how that solo agents lack.
• Fast Track to Income - Close deals faster thanks to many pre-screened opportunities, helping you start making money sooner.

Cons

• Smaller Commission Checks - You get a smaller cut of each deal to compensate the team leader and other team members.
• Less Control - You follow the team leader's direction, leaving less freedom to control your clients, deals, and brand.

Determine the Right Fit

Do you crave:

• Personalized client service? Then solo starter brokerages may suit you better.
• A major assist to hit the ground running? Then teams provide built-in boosters like free leads and mentorship.
• Complete autonomy over your business? Teams will clip your wings.
• Resources to learn the ropes ASAP? Teams offer the fast track to expertise.

Both brokerages and teams aim for the same goal: helping you find success in real estate. But only one structure is right for you based on your priorities, work style, and stage of your career.

So forget the hype. Look within. Only then will you find your perfect match to maximize your potential - team or solo!

Best Brokerage for New Agents - The Verdict

After weighing the benefits of local brokerages, national firms, and real estate teams, it's time to determine the right fit for you.

Consider:

• Your objectives: Do you crave brand recognition or hands-on mentorship?
• Your needs: Which resources will empower your success?
• Company cultures: Do bureaucratic structures frustrate you or fuel your productivity?

Don't hesitate to contact current and former agents for the real story behind a brokerage's brochures and billboards.

At VIP Realty, we believe every agent has unique goals, needs, and strengths. Our role is to provide the precise blend of network, resources, guidance, and autonomy to unleash each agent's potential.

Contact us or visit our careers website to learn how our team could be the perfect match to propel your real estate dreams into reality.