What should I be looking for?
Below are some basic questions you should ask when working for a company, remember when you are working for a company as an agent, a lender, or most other positions in real estate you are not as much working for a company as much as you are working under that company name. Usually you are an independent contractor running your own business. You need to know which firm will be of the most assistance to you in achieving your goals and handling your fears and apprehensions. These are just sample questions to think about, be sure to address the issues that are particular to you. There is no right or wrong answers, this is a business of individuals with individual goals; therefore you must find a place that can satisfy your individual needs.

Management
How available and accessible is the broker?

Can the broker do there own deals?
If so, how does the person in charge avoid competing with the agents?

Training
Will there be a mentor assigned?
How many Mentees will each mentor have?
How much will they charge for there mentor services?
What is required of them in order to fulfill there obligations?
How long will I have the mentor for?

Will there be classes available?
How long are the classes?
How much will they cost?
How frequently are they held?
What will they be focusing on?

Fees
How is insurance handled? (E&O insurance stands for errors and omissions, it is a standard fee for agents)
Is it a one time up front fee? If so, how much?
Can it be paid in installments? If so, how often?
Can it be taken out per deal? If so, how much?

Are there Desk Fees?
How much are the desk fees? What do I get with those fees?

What are the other standard dues for this region?
How much is MLS access?
What are the requirements for the Board of Realtors?

What other miscellaneous costs does this office expect agents to pay? (Copy machine, Faxes, Parking, and Franchise fees etc.)

Advertising and Promotion
What does the company to do brand itself?
What does the office do to advertise the individuals?
Does the company have policies on how they would like an individual to advertise themselves that are unique to that firm?

Affiliates
Are there affiliates companies such as Title, escrow, Lending?
If so, what is the relationship?

Will I be urged to use them?
If so, what benefit will there be for me?

Note: study local laws in regards to affiliate companies in order to avoid being in a position of being guilty of RESPA violations such as unearned fees, kickbacks and much more. Remember if any company ask you to do something that is in the best interest of you or the company and not in the best interest of the client, chances are you are violating your fiduciary duty to your client, and you should immediately move on and not work for that firm.

Staff
What kind of staff will be present at the office? (Secretary, office manager, transaction coordinator, processor)
What are they expected to do for me?
Do I have to pay them for there services? If so, how much?

Commissions
What are the commission splits?
What can I do to earn a higher commission split?
What is the maximum commission split somebody can achieve?

Legal
What legal services are available to me?
How accessible are the legal services?
What will they do and not do for me?

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