I’m starting my hunt for the right brokerage for me to work with. Picking a real estate brokerage is even more complex than picking a realtor when you’re going out to buy a property because I’ll likely be tied to them for at least a year or two. Some brokerages take as much as half of your commissions, and while I’m ok with that if I get the right support, I’m not interested in making my broker rich off my fees. Here’s some of my thought process.
What I bring to the table
- ~15 years at a property management firm doing everything from sweeping parking lots and painting fences through reno projects, leasing and doing high-stress and high-value evictions.
- 3 years as a professional internet marketer, focusing on SEO, web analytics and social media.
- 4 years personally investing in Edmonton real estate, learning the REIN system inside and out, and networking with Edmonton area investors.
What I want from a brokerage
- Someone who doesn’t eat their young. I’m not an uber competitive sort of guy, and I don’t want other agents going through my recycling to steal leads.
- Training, mentoring and a chance to work with some very experienced agents
- Proven technology solutions. I don’t really want to have to figure out the best options for tablet PC’s, paperless offices, lead management/CRM, etc. I have my own ideas, but I want to work with an existing system, without becoming the de facto IT guy.
- Advertising flexibility. I want to try weird custom signs, interesting online stuff and generally be outside the box. Particularly if they’re not full fluent in internet, I want to be able to run with it and not have a broker harassing me. Also, don’t make me use your sign supplier, or at least don’t mark the cost up.
- Fluent about or accepting of Joint Ventures. There are brokers who get freaked out by the idea that I might do some JV investments with clients.
- Flexible commission structures and desk fees. I want a broker who does more than just sell desks.
Who I’ve talked to and who I’m talking to:
- Sara and Sheldon at Coldwell Banker Johnson
- Art Valerio at Royal LePage ARTeam
- Bill T. at Realty Executives Polaris
- Jody at Schmidt Realty
- Bill Briggs at ReMax Edmonton Central
There’s more, but my questions are:
Who else should I talk to?
What else should I be looking for?
What do your favorite Realtors do that you love? What drives you crazy?
Photo Credit: neubie on Flickr
3 comments
carpet & sofa cleaning Bradley Stoke
Your style is really unique compared to other folks I’ve read
sthff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve goot the opportunity, Guess I will just
book mark this blog.
Mike Muranetz
Call Carl Bretzlaff at RE/MAX Real Estate (North). Office is 780-457-3777 or call his cell 780–445-0618. Tell him Mike recommended you to him. Awesome office. My first & only office. We do 10% of all Edmonton & area production. RE/MAX Rocks!
Chris
Thanks Mike, I’ll give him a call.