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Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Depends on: 

1. the Brokerage

2. state laws

Jan 18, 2018 04:02 AM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

From what I gather, each brokerage and the rules of each state can be different regarding this issue.

Jan 17, 2018 07:52 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 That's a good question to ask when interviewing Brokers, since each broker will have their own policy.

  Be aware of your State's Real Estate Commission rules on advertising... in Florida, the FREC is cracking down on misleading signs, business cards, etc. especially by "Teams" that may misrepresent or omit the name of the Brokerage.

Jan 17, 2018 07:33 PM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

KW makes this a priority, though the other big companies fight them on this in as many states as they can.

Jan 17, 2018 05:22 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Depends on the brokerage and your state laws.  Check with your local real estate commission. 

Jan 18, 2018 05:18 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I've seen personal branding done at most of the corporate companies around here- William Raveis, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams. There's one that I see does not. 

Jan 18, 2018 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,574,666
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Learn this early... the only branding you need concern yourself with is YOU.  Branding a brokerage is fine if it is YOUR brokerage.

Jan 18, 2018 03:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Yes, it’s the law. You have to co-brand.

Jan 17, 2018 08:37 PM
Rainmaker
191,939
Erika Rae Albert, Austin Real Estate Expert
E-Rae Realty - Austin, TX
Exceeding Expectations in Every Transaction

eXp Realty LLC does allow you to brand yourself.  I currently opperate under the name E*Rae Realty; however state laws that come into effect this spring are forcing me to eliminate realty from my name and add group or team to the end.

Jan 17, 2018 07:13 PM
Ambassador
5,230,102
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I know RE/MAX encourages it and I see it all the time, not just in my market.

Jan 18, 2018 08:23 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Follow the rules in your state and the policies of the office you select.

Jan 18, 2018 07:06 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Broker and Franchises has pressed this issue to a bizarre outcome. To the point that on many real estate yard sign the brokerage can not be identified.

It reads, "Team Toxic" an agent name and a number.  In our polite real estate society, no one wants to hold or identify the guilty franchise accountable.

Check your state laws. It is likely the requirement is, Brokerage name, location street and city, office number. Agent identification is optional and not larger than brokerage.

After all, the listing BELONGS to the broker not the agent therefore the broker MUST be identified.

 

Jan 18, 2018 06:02 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Most states are passing laws to limit names agents can use such Team, real estate group and such. The agency name has to be the biggest part of an ad or sign here in NH

Jan 18, 2018 05:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Nina Hollander nailed this one!

Jan 18, 2018 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

We have been very happy with Keller Williams as they make it clear it is up to  agents to brand themselves   within the laws of the state.  Coldwell Banker and Berkshire Hathaway brokerages in our city do not allow an agent to brand himself/herself with a picture or their cell phone number on the actual sign and the agents have to find room to somehow tack on a rider with their cell phone number.

YOU WANT YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER ON YOUR SIGN not the brokerage as you may never get those sign calls that come into the office, if allowed by state law.  (Do you trust your broker or front desk???)

You also want to ask your prospective brokers about ADVERTISING fees.  At Keller Williams the agents spend their marketing and advertising fees how best meets the needs of their businesses.  They are not charged massive advertising monthly fees for advertising that benefits the brokerage and not directly the agent.  Been there-done that!

 

Notice with having your cell phone number and how you want to brand yourself you on the sign you have many options with riders for additional information to call attention to the listing.  (CHECK with your state license laws on what is allowed!!!)

Oh by the way, Ryan Higgens that is NOT Gary Keller on the sign!   ^_~

Jan 18, 2018 04:51 AM
Rainer
140,560
Richard L. McKinney P.A.
Atlantic Shores Realty Expertise - Port St Lucie, FL
For Results that MOVE you on the Treasure Coast!

Yes, but check your state law and with your broker if you plan on using words like "realty".  Also, you probably cannot use certain words in your name if you decide to incorporate. 

For instance, in Florida, an agent can form a corporation (and get paid by the broker through the corporation) but the corporation has to be the agents name.. for example Richard L McKinney PA or Richard L McKinney LLC

In Florida, an agent could not form a corp called Richards Realty Team LLC - market that name and get paid through the broker without actually being a broker. The law is there so the public can know exactly who you work for and who is responsible for you as an agent. 

If you are simply branding yourself and maybe a team name such as John Smith Sales Team then you should be fine. You should always brand yourself but keep in mind that you work for a broker and they need to be included with your branding.

Jan 18, 2018 04:38 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

It varies by State

Jan 18, 2018 04:22 AM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

state laws are making this go away as it should.  Agent branding is fine, but anything to make a person think an agent is a company... wrong.

Jan 17, 2018 09:02 PM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

KW allows agents to co-brand. However I'm pretty sure your example would not be OK per RESPA rules. I don't think you can use use words like Realty or Real Estate after JS. You could do someothing like JS Team. In other words you can not mislead the public with words that make it sound like  you're the designated broker or totally separate company lic to do biz in your state independent of any other company when actually you are hanging your lic with a brokerage.

Jan 17, 2018 07:10 PM
Rainmaker
259,317
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

Congrats, as you will find out all are different.. Some more agent-centric than others. Find the brokerage that is willing to train and mentor the first year or two.
Depending on the state, you may not be able to use JS Realty as Realty is only allowed to be used by brokerages.
FL has a list of words we cant use

Jan 17, 2018 06:34 PM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

Congrats on your upcoming business venture into the world of real estate.  The question is answered Best by Your Broker or whichever one you choose to go with, but be assured you will need to follow the laws of Your state in regard to marketing as a real estate agent.  

Concentrate on your ore-licensing first and then interview a few brokerages and I’m sure they can guide you as to the rules of marketing.

 

Best of luck!

Jan 17, 2018 06:23 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Each brokerage is different but most allow the agent to cobrand.

Jan 17, 2018 06:21 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Image result for blue man

Jan 17, 2018 05:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

In my state in order to do this a business entity may act as a salesperson with a separate business entity salesperson's license from the Board.

Jan 18, 2018 10:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Depends on your brokerage's rules and state laws.  Out here it's not your own company (that implies you are a broker) but a team.  Team names have very specific rules and out here JS Realty would violate them as it gives the impression you are your own company.  Your best bet would to brand as "John Smith / C21" or the "John Smith Team".  If you really want the JS Realty, get your time in as an agent, get your own domain name and email not tied to C21, put in your time as an agent and get your Broker's license ASAP.  Then you can become a Broker and open your own company... and you won't have to change your email of phone number if you never gave out the C21 stuff!

Jan 18, 2018 09:33 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Some do. Some don't. You also need to be mindful of DRE and State rules regarding advertising. 

Jan 18, 2018 08:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Probably not, but it will depend on the brokerage and state laws.

Jan 18, 2018 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Most do as long as you are in compliance with your state advertising rules.

I have a business plan template that I would share with you if you like.  Message me with your email and I will send it to you.

Jan 18, 2018 05:19 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Check with your broker.

Jan 18, 2018 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Yes, but I would add that every state has variations on how you idneitfy in advertising, most certainly on signage.

Jan 18, 2018 04:08 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

I doubt very much.

Jan 17, 2018 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

John Smith Team 

after 13 years no one cared what brokerage I hang my license.  I design my own sign and cards. 

Jan 17, 2018 07:22 PM