Should a real estate agent join a team or be a solo agent?

There are many agents which should join a real estate team, because of the positive benefits offered. Note, that not all real estate agent teams are the same, so an agent should research each team prior to joining a real estate team. Many new real estate agents join a team to get started in real estate.

Why should I join a real estate team?

A quality real estate team is going to provide marketing training, advertising tools, leads for responsible real estate agents, coaching, and leadership. Most agents need all of these things.

How Leads are handled on Teams?

Many teams offer lead opportunities at very favorable terms. Some teams can be different but they have the following common characteristics. The upfront cost is usually zero dollars. Then on the backend, they will expect a referral for the lead.

Commission splits on real estate teams

Just like any real estate agent, each property company offers its individual types of commissions. Typically seller leads receive 30% to 90% of their commissions based on how much support is included. Then we have seen buyer leads receiving 50% commission referrals. Make sure you know that each team has its own commission structure above the real estate splits.

The Potential Cons of Real Estate Teams

Joining a real estate team will never be a good way to go solo. This is because many real estate teams are segmented into salesperson work and admin work. This means you do not learn all parts of the business. Then you will need to conform to the needs and wants, and personality of the real estate team. Finally, you will not be able to brand identity as a solo real estate agent.

The Pros of Real Estate Teams

Successful real estate teams typically include the basics like lead generation, coaching, training, mentorships, administrative support, and perhaps best of all synergetic positive attitude. In addition to all of this, the support from successful team leaders can be priceless.

The pros of going solo

Your success and failure are all on you as solo real agents. You get to make your own schedule, be responsible for your own reputation, and your own leads. You keep more of your gross commission checks. You do not need to conform to the personality of a real estate team, and you are all hands on deck for your business.

The cons of going solo

A successful real estate agent is responsible for their own coaching, training, mentorship, leads, tools, support, and it is a lonely business being alone. For those agents who choose the solo path do not consider their happy index that comes from the support and unity of being on a real estate team.

Experienced real estate agent paths

Established agents typically will choose to be an independent agent or a team leader vs joining a real estate team. These experienced agents know how to build a future good real estate team. They know how to generate leads, typically they are a listing specialist, they have a transaction coordinator to handle administrative tasks, and offer a great experience for newer agents. New agents can learn the entire process in six to eight months if they are self-motivated.

Commission Splits For Individual Real Estate Agents

You'll usually receive more gross commissions per transaction as an individual agent than an agent as a member of a real estate team. However, you may net less than what real estate agents do per transaction on a real estate team because the agents are only paying per successful real estate closing vs everything else.

Real Estate Leads When Going, Solo

Leads are often the most important factor for real estate agents. There are different types like sphere of influence, open houses, door knocking, referral sources, google, and social media pay per click, marketing through experienced listings, for sale by owner, and cancelled listings.

The Cons Of Lead Generation Going Solo

Many solo realtors have incredibly costly leads to acquisition. A basic platform that is used as a CRM and an IDX website can cost $30 to $1600 a month. Then you will add in your monthly advertising costs. Many real estate agents see a spend between $500 and $1500 for the lead generation above their platform cost.

The Pros Of Lead Generation Going Solo

An Independent real estate agent will benefit from building their own identity and results, and eventually their own real estate team through their lead generation. Over time a solo real estate agent will learn the right ways to advertise and market correctly for the greatest return.

Training & Accountability

Training and accountability on real estate teams are usually better. Many real estate agents fail because they do not do enough real estate transactions. They do not know how to do real estate as an independent agent. A team leader will provide critical and valuable training and accountability for self-motivated real estate agents. Where a solo real estate agent won't commonly know how to keep themselves held accountable to enough real estate business.

What is it like working solo?

Agents working solo will be part of the broker. This could be an online broker or an established brick-and-mortar firm. This brokerage can usually assist them with sales material, lead generation, and instructions. A brokerage pays a broker fee as well as commissions in some instances. This can sometimes seem difficult because an agent can have little to zero clientele for the first few months at work.

Why do Realtors join teams?

If you join an existing staff you gain more real-time knowledge more quickly. A good team can provide listing inventory for opening homes, building online buyer leads, and increasing listing chances too.

Is being on a real estate team worth it?

Joining real estate agents is typically the best choice for the new agent. This program helps you gain experience in the field while building your professional network. With the proper teams, most agents will be much stronger than usual.

Is it better to work in a team or alone in real estate?

The two sides have an advantage. Working alone may be harder, but the work can be incredibly rewarding while working together can bring great benefits and sacrifice. Normally when you begin your own property investment career it can be incredibly beneficial to join a team of professionals.

Which is right for me?

We have addressed solo real estate agents, real estate teams, generating leads as a new agent, business expenses for new agents to run a real estate business. This is a decision you should make based on what you feel is right for you vs letting other people involved make the answer for you. As an individual agent, you will know if joining a real estate team or being a solo real estate agent is best for you.

Real estate broker who offers team experience

This is a more rare model that offers all in one. It allows you to work solo and receive leads from the real estate brokerage with a favorable split. This is a great model for agents who want to be independent real estate agents yet still get leans and a commission split that they like. This model even allows for agents to still form their own real estate teams and for other agents to join their team for more leads.

Most real estate agents figure out what is the best path for them over time.

Looking into becoming a new realtor

The real estate industry requires a real estate license to be a real estate agent. If you are new to the idea and thinking about getting a real estate license there are different real estate schools offered online and in person. Then once you have your real estate license you can decide if want to work solo or join a real estate team.