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Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Don't bank on getting referrals...and don't expect your closest friend to be an asset.  If you get a listing they wanted, you may just be off the "BFF" list.

Big company names will not make you successful.  Interview the brokers and office managers and ask if you can speak to some of the working agents...then interview them about the office.

Eve

Mar 05, 2017 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

What Kathleen Daniels and Mike & Eve Alexander said. I have a feeling you are making this all more complicated in your head than it needs to be.

Mar 05, 2017 12:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Go with the broker you have good rapport with and that they have a good mentoring and training program.

Mar 05, 2017 12:32 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Ditto to what Eve said....that's good advice.... take that guidance...

Mar 05, 2017 11:51 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

You will need to have that discussion with the respective brokerages and make that determination for yourself.  I echo what Mike & Eve Alexander said. 

Mar 05, 2017 11:31 AM
Ambassador
5,049,033
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I wouldn't make the decision based on the potential for referrals - you could get those, if people know you, no matter what your brokerage.  I wouldn't decide on a brokerage simply because you have a friend there. Do some interviewing of brokerages, and especially agents who work there if you can

Mar 05, 2017 06:09 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Getting licensed in AK just to sell your own home may be a foolish move and not likely to save you any money.

  1. It costs a lot more than the cost of classes and license to get started.
  2. Most new agents do a very poor job of representing their clients, do you want to be that poorly served client who makes significantly less on their home sale?
Mar 05, 2017 02:48 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,603
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Wait until you get there..make a decision when you see the offices, get a handle on its culture and then make a decision.

Mar 05, 2017 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Research the possibilities that are avaliable to you.  Interview people who work in whatever office you are looking at...If the place fits go for it.  A

Mar 05, 2017 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Parked and reading.

Mar 06, 2017 05:56 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

Michael Setunsky nailed this one!

Mar 06, 2017 04:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Usually I avoid such comments - however, today it is.

Being a '007' does not help - neither here not in our business.

And to answer your question --

Education. Training. Technology and Mentorship should score above the split you get from the brokerage you select - until you are ready to exposé yourself in the world!

Mar 05, 2017 11:08 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

I have been with an independent, with a franchise, and now own an independent. For you to hang your license anywhere depends on whether or not that particular brokerage fits your needs. Each franchise is independently owned and operated - does the business plan of that particular owner work for you regardless of your previous affiliation? Interview the managing broker and determine this for yourself.

Mar 05, 2017 08:23 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 Keep it simple.  Find out the license requirements in the two states.  Find out the splits etc. from the CB and KW offices.  Don't count on referrals... you may be on your own when you land in your new state.

Mar 05, 2017 06:38 PM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Absolutely what Mike & Eve Alexander said - a broker doth not make an agent successful - YOU do that yourself! 

Mar 05, 2017 04:31 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Unless your friend will be a partner in real estate, they will be competing against you. If you like big brokerages, then interview with both before making up your mind to see of CB has the feel of what you are used. 

Mar 05, 2017 03:58 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

From personal experience all brands have similarities so go where you are comfortable and don't think too deeply about what you will do months or a year from now. So much can change.

Mar 05, 2017 03:44 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,163
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Moving the product is the primary goal...The how secondary

Mar 05, 2017 02:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Interview the brokers and office managers and ask if you can speak to some of the working agents...then interview them about the office.

Feb 23, 2018 08:27 PM
Rainmaker
666,071
April Swenson
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers - Ocean Shores, WA
CRS and Managing Broker - Ocean Shores Real Estate

Choose a brokerage that is well known in the area you are moving to. My company, Coldwell Banker, is well known throughout the country, so I would suggest them.

Apr 04, 2017 01:44 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,387
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Are you sure you know what you want to do? Have you considered the time factor? Time is money!

Mar 07, 2017 07:27 AM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I'm with others on this.  I wouldn't necessarily make a decision on KW, CB or any other brokerage until you get to Idaho and talk to some of the brokerages.  I wouldn't choose KW for hope of future referrals and I wouldnt choose CB simply because I had a friend there.  You want to make sure the brokerages are going to be the right fit for you overall, so you will have to decide what is important to you in choosing a brokerage and then find one that fits those criteria.  Good luck!.  Alaska & Idaho are two of my favorites states. -Kasey

Mar 06, 2017 09:16 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

What works for your friend may not work for you. If you are new to the state you have to learn the way things are done in that state. Find an office that offers a good training or mentorship program. 

Mar 06, 2017 07:17 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

It's a personal decision you have to work out on your own after looking at all the pluses and minuses and deciding what is more important to you at this time e.g. people and how friendly/helpful they are, what the office offers in terms of training and sharing leads, splits, insurance fees, desk fees and so on.

Mar 06, 2017 02:16 PM
Rainer
1,165
matt newsome
Avast Realty - Huntsville, AL
Realtor serving North Alabama

training

Mar 06, 2017 07:23 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

You should firstly concentrate on getting your license in the new state. A name on the brokerage house does not sell houses...you do!!! Good luck!

Mar 06, 2017 06:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Good luck.  Looks like you have some great answers.

Mar 06, 2017 06:01 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,129
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Select the broker that will best meet your personal needs.

Mar 06, 2017 06:01 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

Look for a brokerage that offers great training and mentoring.

Mar 06, 2017 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

You are allowing improper goals to direct your footsteps.

They are SO improper that one must assume their is more to the story than shared. To become licensed and join a broker in Alaska for the sole purpose of selling your house is misguided.

Your concern for selecting the right Idaho broker is relevant and properly directed. However, much of the advise you are receiving is non-sense.

Why?

The suggestion is the evaluate intangible attributes of the  broker that are entirely subjective and unlikely to be known in the 60 minutes in the brokers office. But that is how the real estate industry works. The industry is addicted to selling the same old stuff that has failed the new agent for the past 40 years. 90% of newbie will never see their 2nd year anniversary. And nothing changes.

So listen up!

Measure the broker using OBJECTIVE criteria. Measure the RESULT of having a good culture, great team, best training, proper compensation, Superior systems and exceptional marketing and share.

How do you do that?

Ask these two questions.

How many agents in office?

Total annual transactions for office?

Total/agents = 20  or more is evidence their stuff works.

Your choice is 'Are you felling lucky today?"

If so, go with the criteria you can not measure.

If you are a business person, let the data guide your footsteps.

Mar 06, 2017 04:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

do the right thing

Mar 06, 2017 04:22 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

You are familiar with the processes/etc at your current company so may feel more comfortable staying with the same company. That being said, what I would do is to interview various companies in your new location and pick the one that fits best with what you need. I wouldn't go to the place where your best friend is, just because he/she is there. I would include him/her company in your list of potentials though.

Mar 06, 2017 03:29 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Others have answered.

Mar 06, 2017 03:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Well, you can always switch if you do not like your first choice, but you have to start somewhere, I'd go with a smaller broker who has a strong agent support and a solid reputation in the area.

Mar 05, 2017 11:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Why bother getting your license if you're moving?  License won't do you any good in another state.

Mar 05, 2017 08:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,634
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

A photo and a name are a great start.

Mar 05, 2017 07:48 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

You need to decide what is important to you

Mar 05, 2017 05:39 PM