My Situation
When I started looking for a brokerage, I wasn't trying to immediately turn real estate into my only career. I wanted to enter residential sales, learn how actual transactions work, and start building experience while continuing my primary career.
That made my brokerage search a little different. I wasn't simply asking which company had the biggest name. I needed to understand which brokerage would actually work for someone entering the industry part-time.
Start With Your Real Estate School
One of the first places I looked was the job-placement side of the real estate school where I completed my coursework.
Schools often already have relationships with brokerages that regularly recruit newly licensed salespeople.
What I would tell the placement office:
I'm looking for an NYC brokerage that accepts newly licensed agents working part-time as independent contractors. I'm especially interested in strong training, mentorship, and opportunities to work rentals or buyer leads while I build my own book of business.
Figure Out What You Actually Need From Your First Brokerage
Before talking to brokerages, I found it useful to separate what sounded impressive from what would actually help me close my first few transactions.
- Who answers questions when I'm working on my first deal?
- Is there actual training after I join?
- Will someone review contracts and paperwork with me?
- Are there company leads?
- What fees do I owe even if I don't close anything?
- Can another agent cover a showing if I'm unavailable?
Don't Assume You Have to Join a Traditional Brokerage
One thing I learned quickly was that brokerages don't all operate the same way.
I looked at traditional brokerages, but I also researched firms with lower-overhead or rebate-oriented models. I spoke with or researched companies including NextStopNY, NestApple, Hauseit, and Mont Sky/HomeDax.
Those conversations helped me see that the real question wasn't necessarily traditional versus nontraditional. It was whether the brokerage's structure matched the way I planned to build my business.
Ask About Company Leads vs. Your Own Leads
A brokerage saying that it provides leads sounds great, but I learned that it's worth asking exactly what that means.
I wanted to know whether those were real opportunities regularly distributed to new agents, internet inquiries, rental leads, buyer inquiries, or simply occasional opportunities.
A useful question: If I join tomorrow without an existing client, what opportunities would I realistically have during my first 90 days?
Ask How They'll Help You Get Through Your First Three Deals
Training sounds good in a recruiting presentation. What mattered more to me was what would happen when I had an actual client.
Who would review the paperwork? Who could I call if something unexpected happened? Would another agent or broker walk me through the process?
That's where mentorship started to matter more to me than generic training videos.
Be Honest About Being Part-Time
I didn't want to join a brokerage and then surprise them with my availability.
I was upfront that I was looking to build my real estate business around another primary career.
I would rather know before joining that a company expects agents to be available throughout every weekday than discover that afterward.
Ask What Happens If You Can't Make a Showing
This became one of my most practical questions.
Real estate clients aren't always going to request showings at times that perfectly fit my schedule.
Could another agent show the property? Would I pay that agent a showing fee? Would the brokerage help coordinate it?
Pay Attention to All the Fees
Commission splits are only one piece of brokerage economics.
- Monthly desk or technology fees
- Transaction fees
- Errors and omissions insurance
- MLS or listing-related costs
- Marketing expenses
- Mentorship fees or additional splits
- Minimum production requirements
Remember That You're Interviewing Them Too
When you're newly licensed, it can feel like the entire conversation is about whether the brokerage will accept you.
But choosing a sponsoring broker is also a business decision on your side.
Follow Up
After conversations, I found it helpful to send a short follow-up email and keep notes about each brokerage.
Once you've spoken to several companies, the details start blending together surprisingly quickly.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
The Questions I'd Ask a Brokerage
| Topic | Question |
|---|---|
| Training | What does training look like during my first 90 days? |
| Mentorship | Who helps me through my first few transactions? |
| Leads | Does the company provide leads to new agents? |
| Availability | Do you work with agents who have another full-time career? |
| Showings | Is showing coverage available if I can't attend? |
| Costs | What fixed, monthly, transaction, and other fees should I expect? |
| Production | Is there a minimum production requirement? |
MY BIGGEST TAKEAWAY
Don't Choose a Brokerage Based on the Name Alone
For my first brokerage, I care much more about what will happen after I join than how recognizable the logo is.
The right brokerage for one new salesperson may be completely wrong for another.
LOOKING FOR AN AGENT?
Not looking for a brokerage career?
If you are here because you need help buying, selling, or renting in New York, send me a quick note about your goals.
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View Practice TestsThis article reflects my personal experience and research while looking for a brokerage. Brokerage policies, compensation structures, fees, and requirements can change. Always confirm current terms directly with the brokerage.