A good fit for YOUR needs.  What works for one may not work for someone else.  Decide what is important to you and look for that in the broker/age you choose. 

Please read, Chapter 10, "Choosing your First Broker"

You don't work for a broker, you work for you, you now own a business. You hang your license with a broker and they are suppose to work for you; lift you up and help you grow and go...in the right direction. But, this isn't a job you have, it's a business.

If they will take just anybody, they are the wrong brokerage for you. I'm on the broker side and, wow, the agent prospects blow my mind. They think the business will just be handed to them by me, and why would I want to do that? Even if an agent is inexperienced, they need to have that DRIVE, enthusiasm and eagerness to go forth and that's one thing you can't teach. Many that I have met, want me to give them a formula for success. Even thousands of dollars of coaching lessons won't do it.

Honesty, integrity and a good reputation in the marketplace.

Training, mentorship program (if you are new to real estate), continued availability whenever the need arises.

Non competing broker whose sole job is to help agents succeed.

Go with your gut - how you feel about the broker, whether your instincts feel good about the broker - don't underestimate how much you already know about what you need. 

For me personally, if I was just starting out, it would be their reputation for honesty Laura Coleman . I would ask them if they have a policy for settling disputes between agents. My first Broker had a policy of "The agent who sells the most is right". This lead to top agents stealing clients from new agents... he would always fire the new agent instead of the dishonest agent(s) who blatently stole clients.

I know this answer as well as I know my name.... training and then mentoring after training is my standard answer when this question was previously asked many times....

Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI NMLS#1483386 nailed this one!

Select the broker that will best meet your needs. Be prepared to tell the broker why you will be an asset for that office.

This must be at least the 10th time this question has been asked and answered, asked and answered, asked and answered just in the last few weeks. I suggest you go to those answers and maybe write a post about it. You'll definitely learn so much more that way.

And here my favorite question comes again. 

Laura, tell us about you a little. Are you about to get a license? Let me guess a location...

So you’ve just passed your real estate salesperson’s test. Congratulations! Real estate sales can be the most rewarding journey that you’ll ever embark on — or it can also be the biggest cause of stress you can imagine. You’ve got a few upcoming decisions that might define your entire career, so pay attention closely.As a new agent, you’ll have to decide which brokerage is best for you. Most states require new agents to work under an established broker for a minimum time frame (two years in California) before they’re able to get their broker’s license and work alone.These first two years is also where you’ll learn your craft and, according to the National Association of Realtors, either sink or swim. Over 80 percent of new real estate agents exit the business in their first two years, and it’s easy to see why.Real estate is a very “relationship-oriented” business. A good portion of a successful agent’s business comes from past clients and referrals, of which a new agent wouldn’t have. During the first couple of years, new agents have to earn their business through “sweat equity,” which means a lot of cold-calling expireds, door-knocking and open houses.Because these activities are more of a numbers game, they tend to take longer to pay off, and new agents can go months without a commission check. That’s why it’s so important to select the right brokerage from the start.When you’re ready to start working, make sure that you interview with at least two or three different brokerages. Unlike a traditional job environment, where the employer is interviewing you to see if you’re a good fit for them, you should be interviewing the brokerage to see if it’s a good fit for you. This process is where you’ll start discussing commission splits, lead generation options and training support.If you’re starting the brokerage search from scratch, you’ll want to decide whether you’d like to work for one of the national chains (Re/Max, Keller Williams, etc.) or join up with a boutique brokerage in your local market. The paths are different, and both offer pros and cons.

What qualities are important to YOU? Find someone that fits those same qualities.

Laura Coleman - education, technology, training and mentorship, followed by split.

Laura Coleman Good rapport with the Broker and one who has a good mentoring and training program.

Qualities?  The question must be asked how one would intend to MEASURE the qualities of the broker?  Seriously, you are sitting across the desk, how can your measure honesty, integrity, mentorshiop and my favorite, the promise of 'train'n.' 

This concept of qualities on a broker is a red herring that for decades guaranteed 90% of newbies will not see their 2nd year anniversary.

The information you need is objective and absolutely measurable. That is what is often referred to as DATA instead of qualities. Establish your business on DATA, the facts and nothing but the facts.

Now, as a small business owner, how can you know if the data you receive is appropriate for you? Well, that is when you refer to your business plan which is required of every person wanting to start a business.

Without it you can not distinguish the fluff from the stuff.

Now that you've decided to actually create a business plan, now you can assess if the brokers business and your business have anything in common. 90 percent of failed agents joined a deep end broker as they tried to measure 'qualities.' Meanwhile the newbie were tossed into the deep end of the pool and everyone watched to see if the newbie could learn to swim.

You have only two questions to ask the broker. From the response you can derive EVERYTHING you need to know which will prove to be the factual information that predicts your outcome.

As a small business owner who has identified the broker with data on their side, the final piece will be, "Can you follow instructions?"

If so, you are destined to make a difference in the real estate world.

One who provides the services you need.

Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he's talkin' with Davy, who's still in the Navy
And probably will be for life

Laura - A lot of it depends on what you want in your broker. Do you want them to provide leads, offer training, hold you responsible, provide you an office, do some marketing for you, mentor you or find a mentor for you, etc., or do you just want them to leave you alone to do your own thing. Also, do you need them to be there for you when you have questions. Last, but least, you need to figure out the commission structure, and what you are looking for.

One who has time to train you and be available when you have questions.

Someone like me, that wants to see you be successful in this business.

Track record of nurturing successful agents.

One who's needs and yours mesh.

Some brokers are more flexible than others and some run like a corporate. For example, my girl friend used to be an agent under of the the big brokers and her broker would call her to her office very week and told her how disappointed she was with her that she couldn't get a listing.  Some will scrutinize your documentation and ask why you do things certain way and will hold payment if you don't follow.  I think you need to select a broker that suits you, the way you work, your personality, the culture etc.

If you search the archives, this question gets asked several times a month and have recceived some great comments!

Non competing broker with a good training program.

What do you want in a work enviroment? 

Depends on what you are looking for.  Training, marketing, support, total freedom, production goals, hands-on, hands-off.

Honesty, integrity and time to help answer your questions and point you in the right direction.

What are good qualities toyou

Mentor

How about someone who is a good listener and problem solver?

It depends on your priorites at the moment - education, leads, large vs small and so on, but integrity and supportive personality are always key.

Quality and intelligence. Add a little vision and voila!

Initial training and then continued training as well as a strong mentorship program...
Also, be sure to meet your Director or Operations to be sure it's a good 'fit' for you.