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NOVEMBER 2017 • VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 7
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THE
PENINSULA AT
ROUGH HOLLOW
A PRIVATE LAKESTYLE NEIGHBORHOOD
ON ROUGH HOLLOW
REALTORS looking for the right broker have many options to consider By Riki Markowitz
A
s a real estate broker in Texas, consider yourself exceptionally lucky. It’s one of the top paying careers you could have, especially in Central Texas. And if you’ve just recently passed your real estate license exam, you may well be on your way to making the list of Austin top earners, too. But first, you have some work to do – namely, find a broker to work with.
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How to choose an agency
Choosing a brokerage to join is a little like picking a college. Do you want a small firm that provides hands-on experience? Or do you prefer a large firm that offers comprehensive educational programming, technical support and business development? Maybe something in between? Successful brokers that we’ve spoken to suggest reaching out to several different agencies and setting up an interview. Jennifer Archambeault, a broker/ owner at Urban Provision REALTORS, says, “Choosing a broker boils down to what the broker gives you in terms of value.” It may sound simple, but in reality, many agents get overwhelmed with the options. There are about as many different agency models as there are brokerages. According to Lisa Jacobson, branch manager at Coldwell Banker, “You will be bombarded with brokers giving their sales pitch and everyone telling you how great you are.” She explains that new licensees are bound to be confused this early in their career because—like everything else—you don't know what you don’t know.
Large agencies You’ve probably heard of the large ones— Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker, just to name a few. For the most part, they aim to create a dynamic culture for agents interested in growing a business. Diane Johnson, a broker and team leader at Keller Williams
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says, “ We tend to attract entrepreneurial agents who want to own their own business and run it as they see fit.” At Johnson’s office, there are 17 staff members who work on an in-house educational curriculum, a coaching program, providing access to technology tools and much more. “We’ve been ranked the number-one training company in the world,” says Johnson, “and we look for learning-based agents, top performers, and those who immerse themselves in education in order to be better at their business.” Johnson and her team describe their office as a “productivityrich environment.” Coldwell Banker has been around for a
cent u r y, so there’s a level of trust, says Lisa Jacobson, vice president of sales. Because of the company’s legacy, newer agents feel they’re in good hands. Jacobson’s goal is to allow REALTORS to concentrate on doing what they got into this business to do: complete transactions. “I check every contract. Nothing goes in and out of this office without my approval.” There’s also someone onsite responsible for marketing and listings. “We’re a one-stop shop. We include everything for agents, whether they’re new or ex-
Front Page: Continued on page 28
Features of the Month Column: ABoR—Tap Your Spirit of Giving.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 3 Column: WCAoR—Creating Client Satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 7 Column: HBA—Study Shows Buyers Prefer New Homes in the Suburbs . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 15. Expert Commentary: Fitting Round Pegs into Square Holes Can be Done. . . . . . . . . . pg. 22 Associates in Progress: Newland Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 25 Associates in Progress: Texas National Title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 27 Column: WCR—'Tis the Season to be Thankful. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 32 Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 33