Agents: 7 questions to ask before picking a new brokerage
Maybe you're tired of cold calling (“I love cold calling,” said nobody ever). Or you've outgrown your team and are ready to strike out on your own. Perhaps you’re looking for a team that will make you feel more supported. Or maybe you aren't happy with the compensation side of things and think you can do better with a different model.
Whatever your situation, if you're thinking about finding a new place to hang your hat, here are some questions to ask as you scope out brokerages and real estate companies. (And, of course, we’ve thrown in a few compelling reasons why Property.ca could be the right answer.)
1. What’s the company culture like?
While compensation is important, it’s never the only reason people stay with a company – the experience of working there has to be great too. You want to be supported, feel valued, and work with people you like and can count on. Are you looking for old-school and traditional? Or is high-energy and innovative more your speed? Do you want to be part of a big name organization with thousands of agents or a more attentive operation where you won't get lost in the crowd? All things to consider.
What Property.ca offers: We definitely skew towards the “high-energy and innovative” end of the spectrum. We’re fast-paced, tech-focused, eager to grow and poised to change the game.
The best part of our culture, though, is the genuine sense of community we all feel. Real estate can be dog-eat-dog, but because of the leads our sites generate, our agents don't need to compete with each other. They help each other out with showings, and share advice and support. All you have to do is look at our online agent forum to see that: dozens of daily posts with questions, shared listings, day-to-day real estate how-tos and other supportive stuff.
“Ours is a strong team environment where we help each other, keep each other accountable, make audacious choices and constantly implement creative solutions and generate opportunities,” says Brendon Cowans, Property.ca SVP of Sales. “On top of that, we have fun doing it: we really bring joy to each other every step of the way.”
Find out more about our culture
2. What's the compensation structure like?
You want to join a company where you can have a good income, obviously – and part of that is a fair commission structure. One thing to remember, though: higher splits don't necessarily mean more income for you. You may keep more, but you get less from the company in the way of support.
Of course, if you have an established business and need less from your brokerage, you may want to pay less of your commission. A company that lets you change things up as your business grows can be a very good thing.
What Property.ca offers: Flexible plans mean your commission structure is based on the level of support you need right now. New to the biz and need loads of leads? There's a plan for that. Already have an established business with plenty of leads and referrals? There's a plan for that, too: you choose how to invest your commission dollars.
Find out more about our agent plans
3. How do they help their agents generate business?
Are you expected to cold call and knock on doors to get leads? Or does the company help you out by providing you with leads? How are those leads assigned – do they go to top performers or are they distributed more equitably?
What Property.ca offers: Lots (and lots) of leads. Our three high-traffic real estate sites (condos.ca, property.ca, mrloft.ca) generate constant leads, which appear in agent inboxes EVERY DAY. There's no cold calling, just conversations with people who are more receptive to talking to you. These leads are one of the reasons our agents can ramp up their success so fast.
4. Will I have a chance to learn and grow?
No matter where you are in your career, there's always something you can learn. Do they have learning opportunities for all career stages? Successful real estate companies know that investing in their agents’ development means they're also investing in their own success. It's totally win-win.
What Property.ca offers: Investing in our agents is always money well-spent. With our Growth Academy, Accelerator program and Marketing Insights Hub, we've got you covered. Plus, there's a ton of opportunity to learn from experienced, successful agents.
Read more: 5 reasons to join Property.ca
5. How do you make it easier for me to do my job?
Is there a strong team in place to support agent success? The more backup you have, the more you can focus on what you do best: helping people rent, buy and sell properties. Whether you need support processing paperwork, marketing listings or building your own brand, it's good to know capable, dedicated people have your back.
What Property.ca offers: An expert team of leaders and support staff focused on streamlining your day-to-day, and giving you the resources you need to succeed. We also have an agency-quality marketing team in-house (strategy, design, photography, video, writing, social content and more) to help showcase your listings and build your brand.
6. How committed are they to using technology to help agents do business better?
Technology drives real estate, and you need a company that gives you best-in-class tech. Do they support the buying and selling experience with robust search, deals processing software, video marketing, CRM and other integrative tools? Do they have a comprehensive online resource that empowers users with the information they need?
What Property.ca offers: Technology. Lots of it. Seriously, we’re as much a tech firm as we are a real estate company. When you work with us, you have access to industry-leading technology and proprietary platforms that create outstanding experiences. This is tech that makes work easier, the sales process smoother and enables faster connection with clients. And we're always innovating to make the experience better.
7. What do their agents say?
Word of mouth is the best recommendation. Don't count solely on a company’s marketing or recruitment materials, reach out to their agents to get the real deal, and see if they feel happy, supported and successful.
What Property.ca offers: A unique opportunity for success. We asked our agents what convinced them to switch and what compels them to stay, and here’s what they had to say.
Hang your hat here
We're looking for motivated agents who want to ramp up their careers. Interested? Book a call with our recruitment team today or visit our agent site for more info.