10 Questions to Ask Before You Sign: A Guide for Aspiring Real Estate Agents
Starting your career as a real estate agent is an exciting journey, but choosing the right brokerage is a crucial decision that will impact your success and satisfaction. This guide offers ten essential questions to help you find a brokerage that aligns with your values, provides proper support, and helps you build a sustainable career. Take your time with these reflections—your future self will thank you.
KS
by Kathy A. Souza
Culture & Alignment: Finding Your Professional Home
The culture of your brokerage will shape your daily experience and professional development. Before signing any agreement, take time to evaluate whether the environment feels right for you.
Core Values in Action
Ask: "How would you describe the core values of this brokerage—and how do they show up in everyday business?" Look beyond the marketing materials and mission statements. Observe how leadership and agents embody these values in their interactions, decisions, and business practices. Values that exist only on paper won't support your growth.
Personal Connection
Ask: "Do I feel seen, respected, and supported in the conversations I've had with people here?" The way you're treated during the recruitment process often reflects how you'll be treated as an agent. Pay attention to whether people listen to your goals, acknowledge your questions, and show genuine interest in your success.
Your peace of mind and professional fulfillment depend heavily on the environment you choose. Trust your instincts—if something feels off during interviews, it likely won't improve once you've signed.
Training & Mentorship: Building Your Foundation
As a new agent, the training and mentorship you receive will dramatically impact your confidence and early success. Don't leave this crucial support to chance.
Structured Support
Ask: "What specific support will I receive in my first 90 days—and who will provide it?" Request detailed information about the onboarding process, including mentorship programs, shadowing opportunities, script training, and contract guidance. The best brokerages have clear systems in place to help new agents navigate their critical first months.
Learning Environment
Ask: "Is this a place where questions are welcomed—or just tolerated?" In your early days as an agent, questions aren't just inevitable—they're valuable. You need an environment where you feel comfortable seeking clarification, advice, and feedback without fear of judgment or impatience.
Success Metrics
Find out how the brokerage measures new agent success. Is it just transaction volume, or do they value growth in skills, knowledge, and client relationships? The way success is defined will shape your experience and the pressure you feel.
Systems & Structure: Tools for Success
The right tools and systems can dramatically accelerate your growth and efficiency as a new agent. Understanding what resources are available—and how to use them—should be a key factor in your decision.
Technology & Resources
Ask: "What tools, platforms, or systems are included to help me succeed—and is training provided?" Many brokerages offer CRM systems, marketing templates, transaction management platforms, and other resources. However, access to these tools is only valuable if you receive proper training on how to leverage them effectively.
Autonomy & Flexibility
Ask: "Will I have the freedom to build a business that reflects who I am?" Some brokerages have rigid systems that all agents must follow, while others provide more flexibility. Consider whether you'll be able to incorporate your unique strengths, interests, and approach while still benefiting from the brokerage's structure.
Compensation & Contract Terms: Understanding the Fine Print
Financial clarity is essential for your peace of mind and business planning. Don't rush through this critical aspect of your brokerage agreement.
Transparent Compensation
Ask: "Can you clearly explain the commission split, fees, and any contract commitments—in writing?" A trustworthy brokerage will provide clear, written information about how you'll be compensated. You should understand the structure well enough to explain it to someone else.
Hidden Costs
Ask: "Are there any hidden costs, minimum production requirements, or long-term obligations I should know about?" Beyond the commission split, inquire about desk fees, technology fees, marketing costs, and other expenses. Also understand any production requirements or contract terms that might affect your future flexibility.
Growth Potential
Understand how your compensation structure might evolve as you grow. Are there opportunities for improved splits or reduced fees as you build your business? How does the brokerage invest in your long-term success?
Remember: Clarity is kindness. A brokerage that's vague or evasive about financial matters is showing you a red flag. Don't ignore it.
Relationships & Legacy: Building a Sustainable Career
The relationships you form at your brokerage will influence both your daily happiness and your long-term success. Look beyond immediate benefits to consider the community you're joining.
Team Dynamics
Ask: "Do the agents here collaborate and care about each other—or just compete?" Culture is contagious, and the attitudes of those around you will affect your mindset and approach to business. Observe how agents interact, whether knowledge is shared, and if successes are celebrated collectively.
Long-Term Alignment
Ask: "Is this a brokerage I would still feel proud to be part of five years from now—even if my goals evolve?" Your needs and aspirations will change as you grow in your career. Consider whether the brokerage has the flexibility, resources, and values to support your evolution over time.
The right brokerage doesn't just help you close deals—it helps you build a sustainable, fulfilling career that aligns with your vision of success. Choose partners who elevate your standards rather than compromise them.
Making Your Decision: Balancing Heart and Head
Analyze the Facts
Review the concrete offerings: commission structure, training programs, technology, and support systems.
Trust Your Feelings
Consider how you feel in the environment. Do you feel valued, respected, and aligned with the culture?
Seek Perspectives
Talk to current and former agents about their experiences. Look for patterns in their feedback.
Envision Your Future
Imagine yourself working there a year from now. Does the thought bring excitement or anxiety?
Making a decision about your brokerage involves both analytical thinking and emotional intelligence. Give yourself time to process all the information you've gathered. Remember that no brokerage is perfect, but the right one will align with your core values and support your vision for your career.
Don't sign based on fear, pressure, or promises of fast money. Choose your brokerage like you choose a foundation: one that will hold steady as you rise.
Final Encouragement: Trust Your Journey
As you stand at this important crossroads in your real estate career, remember that this decision is significant—but it's not permanent. You bring your talents, enthusiasm, and unique perspective to any brokerage you join.
Take your time with this process. Resist pressure tactics or artificial deadlines. The right brokerage will respect your thoughtfulness and will still be interested in you after you've done proper due diligence.
Your career in real estate offers incredible opportunities for personal growth, financial independence, and making a positive impact in people's lives. The foundation you choose now can make that journey more peaceful, supportive, and aligned with your values.
You were made for growth with peace. Trust your instincts, honor your values, and choose partners who believe in your potential as much as you do.
Remember, the questions in this guide aren't just for interviewing brokerages—they're for clarifying what matters most to you as you build your real estate career. Your future clients will benefit from the thoughtfulness you bring to this decision.
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