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Braxton Bennett

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Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Study hard. Do well in class. Take lots of practice tests. These questions are asked repeatedly. 

Sep 24, 2018 07:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Braxton Bennett You are NOT getting what you are paying for when your course asks you to hound professionals who use this site to discuss matters we meet every day... not constantly answer the same questions day in and day out by students that THEY should be teaching you.

Sep 24, 2018 07:58 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

This question comes up a lot & that's because we all want to start off on the right foot when we enter the business. As a new Agent I'd be looking for something different than an experienced agent would be. I'd look for a Broker who's knowledgeable & willing to share that to help develop you into the best agent you can be. Someone who is well respected in the industry because they may need to go to bat for you one day. Someone who is not competing with you for listings & is dedicated to developing the company & it's agents 1st. Qualities like that.

Sep 24, 2018 08:36 AM
Ambassador
5,230,068
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

What is important to YOU in a broker? That's the real question - we are not all alike!

As we are independent contractors, other agents in my brokerage or outside of my brokerage have no impact on my work.

Sep 24, 2018 08:25 AM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

The broker is front and center, the to-go-to person when situations occur and is responsible for everyone's behavior. You need to know as an agent that you have necessary industry support. A positive, motivating environment is necessary and depends on you. Other agents are irrelevant to YOUR WORK. Pay attention to what you are doing and less on them.

Sep 24, 2018 11:08 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

We understand it is a course requirement to ask these "canned" questions.  It's tiresome for us to answer the same questions over and over and over and over... but we don't blame you!  We blame your professor who doesn't trust you enough to come up with your own questions.

For a new agent, a supportive broker is critical.  One that will give you the training and ongoing mentorship you need to become successful.  87% of new agents are out of the business within 2 years. It's an expensive dream if you don't work it properly.  You need a broker to help you defy the odds.

For an experienced agent, the needs are totally different.

Sep 24, 2018 10:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

You broker will provide training, mentoring and certain benefits.  Other agents have no effect as we are all independent conractors.

Good luck on your courses and getting licensed.

Sep 24, 2018 08:57 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Most broker hire anyone half dead, but still breathing.

Most brokers don't care if the agent is incompetent or dishonest as long as they can bring in a deal now and then.

When I hired agents, I was picky to hire and quick to fire.  I kept my fingers on the pulse of what my agents were doing and thinking.  One of the things that my agents liked was the fact that I was selective, everyone got along and our office had a reputation for competence.

The only thing that I promised agents is that I would help them become the best they could be...

Don't look for an office that will give you the best split...find an office that does not hire "bodies" and will instead provide quality training that will make you a knowledgable agent.

Eve

PS:  keep asking questions...smart people are always inquisitive.

Sep 24, 2018 08:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Very. 

 

Sep 24, 2018 08:02 PM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

You've gotten some GREAT replies below Braxton Bennett.  As a newbie, so much is so important, because this is a new career for you.  You need support from others, while you personally need to be motivated and disciplined to work at your business every day.  Other agents do not affect me, though if you have someone who is interesting and interested and like-minded, you will motivate each other.  I am part of a Team, and still have another agent  that I can motivate, while she does the same for me.  For example, we both are doing Open House Blitzs, and then comparing notes of what was successful and what was not.  We set-up certain parameters and goals to meet.  It's fun!  We also are sending out so many notecards a week to stay in touch with clients and prospective clients, and thinking up new ways to be relevant.  Again, it's fun!  Best of Luck, and you are asking questions and thinking now - so important!!  

Sep 24, 2018 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Chemistry, training and mentorship!

Sep 24, 2018 12:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

As I'm not a newbie, zero.

Sep 24, 2018 10:34 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

The office environment is very important.

I like to be surrounded by highly successful people.

Sep 24, 2018 10:24 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Lots of answers HERE

Sep 24, 2018 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

he signs the commission checks.... very important to me!!!!

Sep 24, 2018 08:27 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Very important, the leadership and culture at our office is amazing!

Sep 24, 2018 03:31 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I work independently and would not have it any other way.  

Whatever it is YOU are looking for, I hope you find it and it is a good fit for you. 

Sep 24, 2018 01:28 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Not and none. In any event, what's important to me after 25 years in the business would be very different than what would be important to you as a new agent.

Sep 24, 2018 12:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Establish the value of what you give to a broker in compensation for what you get from them. The difficulty is thatr much of the benefits are not strictly monetary.

Sep 24, 2018 10:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Seeing as how I'm my Broker, I'd say I'm the most important person in my life.

Sep 24, 2018 09:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

A Broker enables an agent to go live and practice according to Real Estate regulations. If the Broker does more than that...fine. As to other agents affecting an agent? Iron sharpens Iron so one person will sharpen another

Sep 24, 2018 08:05 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Brandon,

Ask your professor and ask yourself.  That is why you pay him the big bucks.

Sep 24, 2018 07:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

When you're new to real estate, your broker isimportant for training and support. Other agents you work with may or may not impact your work depending on many things, such as the size of the office, office culture, how you relate to them, etc.

That being said, one thing that concerns me about he instructor having you ask these questions is that our answers are not really relevant to you and your situation.

Most of us have been in real estate for many years so our perspective is different and since we are all in different states, what is common in our state may not be typical in yours.

It would be much more helpful if your instructor would tell you to network with agents and brokers in your area to ask these questions and obtain their insights.                    

 

 

Oct 23, 2018 07:03 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Find a broker that offers good training.  Don't spend a lot of time in the office, as the water cooler talk will NOT bring you business.

Sep 27, 2018 10:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,727
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

Some good answers here, I'd just be repeating. Good luck with your classes.

Sep 26, 2018 06:40 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

broker shows their importance by being able to answer questions and not limiting my ability to do business.

Sep 25, 2018 03:04 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I've been the owner/broker for 23/21 years.  My former broker was a great mentor.  I bought his company as a licensed salesperson and hired him to be the broker until I'd been licensed long enough to sit for my broker's test.  He was not only a great mentor and very instrumental in my ultimate success, but he was a dear friend I thought of as family until he passed away a couple of years ago.

Sep 25, 2018 11:21 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I love go to the real classes. 

You, young people, do it online. 

By the way, Braxton, how did you find about Active Rain? Please, please, tell us.

Sep 24, 2018 08:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

If you are DIY. He is just a place to hang a license interested in a cut of what you make.  If you want hand holding this is not a 8-5 job. YOu need to join a prestigious broker. 

Sep 24, 2018 11:24 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am the broker

Sep 28, 2018 08:39 PM
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

In my case, not all that important.

Sep 25, 2018 06:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

He's great motivation and support.

Sep 25, 2018 03:40 AM
Ambassador
5,049,183
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

My broker is important when there are questions or concerns and if I need a second opinion. But that's just me...what's important to YOU? As far as other agents I do what I want and need to do no matter what. They really don't have an impact, but I do try to watch what others are doing in terms of marketing for other ideas.

Sep 24, 2018 08:22 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

My broker is very important and I am there to help her. She is a most caring person and cares about everyone at the company.

Sep 24, 2018 08:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Go to a number for interview and see who has the most free classes and mentoring.

 

Sep 24, 2018 05:37 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

How important is broker? 

Responses must vary based on the number of years one has been in business. 1st year agents NEED their broker. 10th year agents find broker equivalent to a Epson inkjet printer, meaning no one even thinks about the broker until the broker screws up.

What effect do other agents have? Well that depends on the integrity of the broker. It is the BROKER who establishes the culture in the office. if the broker is a vulture, so will the agents have vulture characteristics. But they will all say, 'We got ethics."

As a newbie, being able to OBJECTIVELY measure the fruit of a broker is essential. Chasing the warm and fuzzy cuddles of the 'qualities to look for in a broker' lead to disappointment in the harsh sunlight of reality.

PS: By the way Braxton Bennett , this is a great question to ask. As you can read, some agents are fatigued. 

The answer really is directly related to how the newbie starts. That beginning is a business plan.  If YOU have no plan,  it is advised to rethink your ownership of your very own real estate business. However, be aware, there are 'employee model' real estate brokerages like Redfin and Coldwell Banker.  ASk them about paid benefits and weekly pay. I would say the newbie needs the assist of their broker to implement the AGENTS business plan effectively.  Lacking a plan the agent is a ship looking for a rock.

Sep 24, 2018 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Very.

Sep 25, 2018 03:07 AM
Rainer
20,445
Romylio "Romeo" Cordoba - NSB Realtor
Adams Cameron and Co. Realtors - New Smyrna Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate Agent

In the beginning the broker is crucial , I would suggest making a list of brokers and interviewing them, see what they offer then make your selection.

Sep 24, 2018 10:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,374,373
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes

You’ve received many good responses here. It might be a good idea to ask your Instructor what he suggests you look for in a Broker. 

Sep 24, 2018 06:03 PM