RealTown's RealTalk

     I have been giving the idea of starting a team another go round. Anyone have any insite of the pros and cons of starting a team? Would like to hear.

Thanks
Paul Antonelli
E-Pro Realtor
Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty
"Your Residential, Commercial & REO Specialists!"
3264 Greenwald Way, Kissimmee, Florida 34741
Office: 407-846-4040 Fax: 407-846-3407
Cell: 321-443-4028
E-mail: Info@PaulAntonelli.net
Website: http://www.OwnAHomeInCentralFL.com
Local Foreclosures: http://www.paulantonelli.net/deals
 

I have tried to have a partner in Real Estate from my office but it didn't work.  Either she didn't want to help pay for advertising or one of us didn't want to do an open house on our listing.  Partnerships doesn't usuall work.  There has been several break up in my office for some unknown reason.  I would be careful with that if I were you.

Jacqueline Bone 760-464-2076

Tarbell, Realtors

jcbone@tarbell.com

www.jacquelinebone.point2agent.com

Palm Desert, California

Paul wrote Anyone have any insite of the pros and cons of starting a team? Would like to hear

Worked as part of a team for 5 months back in 87 when they were not big. In 89 my husband and I started to work together - best advice I can give is determine who is good at what and stick with it. We also a couple gals in our office that have worked together for over 20 year - they say the same each has certain things they do best.

Both of us do sellers together, buyers seperate and split the pay checks 50/50.

Paul

Have been part of a Team for 4 years and used the book from Gary Keller "The Millionaire Agent" and now the "Shift" to glide  us with our team.  We also went to seminars sponsored by  by Keller.  I have been in the business about 36 years and we started with Craig Proctor and have been to his super conferences twice. 

Had 2 buyer agents but it didn't work out and we fired both of them after 9 months.  The agent I work for has been in the business 5 years.  She has a listing inventory of approx 75-100 listings. 

We are with a 100% company and pay only $125. per month desk fee.  Our staff (3) are on a independant contract  and those licensed are paid 40% commission and a bonus system based on quarterly  closed production goals.

Because of our business "shift" we have reduced all of our expenses based on what we expect our bottom line to be in 2009-2012.  This is our forecast before the market will "shift" again.  In order to continue to run our Team as a business, the team must take on lots more duties in order to have a positive cash flow each month. The agents we interviewed to be on our team had no interest in working on PROSPECTING for LEADS every day for 3 - 4 hours.

Hope this helps,

Jim Lyals, Realtor  -  Five Star Midwest  -  Gail Wyatt Team

I have a very successful team, but it has been a struggle to keep it together in this economy.  We have all had to bite the bullett a little so we will be positioned when the market returns.  I tried the partner thing once and it did not work.  In order to have a successful team you have to mesh personalities and be with a team that likes what they do and likes to have fun. We continue to do the things we did in the good times and participate in every opportunity we get for additional education. I have been in the business since 1987 on The Outer Banks of NC and you never stop learning.  Another priority for a successful team is that you leave your self worth at the door and you are all one equal part - regardless of your positon on the team - no one member is more important than the other, not even the leader!  This is what makes my team work and I have had a team for over 6 years now.  Other agents continue to ask if I need someone else for our team becasue they see us successful and having fun. When you stop having fun you need to do something different.

Are you talking of a team as you and another partner with a 50/50
responsibility/commission split or as you are the Head of the Team and hire
buyers agents? I have seen both, two good friends aksed my advice in
teaming up(just the two of them). My advice was it is a good way to ruin a
friendship. Work ethics and business relationships may not be the same to
either party. My friends thought their friendship would override any
problems. Unfortunately after 3 months their friendship is about over. I
have been a Buyer's Agent for a husband/wife team. That worked pretty well.
They sent me all the leads(I didn't have to prospect), but I got the leads
that were low and 6mon. to ? out. Buyer's Agents have a shelf life. If you
don't mind continually losing Buyer's Agents then this might be the way to
go. I got tired of doing all the work and having to split my commission
with them. I did remind myself that they did send me all the leads, so I
could "go forth, take a chance and do it on my own. That is where I am now,
prospecting and loving it, even in todays market and I have no one to blame
or answer to but myself. Hope this helps.

Barbara Franklin
Realtor, ePro
505-275-5386 Office
505-934-1684 Mobile
505-271-5686 Fax
Email: franklin@swcp.com
Web: BarbaraFranklin.net

Jacqueline Bone makes a keen observation regarding TEAM WORK.

"I have tried to have a partner in Real Estate from my office but it didn't work. Either she didn't want to help pay for advertising or one of us didn't want to do an open house on our listing. Partnerships doesn't usuall work. There has been several break up in my office for some unknown reason. I would be careful with that if I were you".

About four years ago when this "team" concept became popular I attended a Team Player Seminar.  The main theme was based on hiring team players to do the WORK YOU DON"T WANT TO DO!  Unfortunately the "team players" don't want to do that "dirty" work either.  Everybody wants to be a team leader but there are few followers.  It's not easy to get 3 or 4 players willing to do the dirty work and then argue over how the pie should be split UNEQUALLY.  That was another point they brought up.  The leader always gets the Lions Share of the Commission on ALL THE DEALS.  It's just like the gal who takes your order, the person who brings the food and the guy that cleans up and picks up the tip (commission).  I've seen teams that appear to be pretty successful.  Whether they are or not I don't really know.  After you split the closing with the broker there isn't much left for the team and the leader of the pac.  You have to run a lot of volume to get the team player concept to work.  That was another point they brought up, VOLUME SALES!  In this market????