Direct Insights to Real Estate from Debbie Ezzell

Tyler, Texas

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When Agents Change Companies

Posted at Direct Insights to Real Estate from Debbie Ezzell by Debbie Ezzell

Jun. 1, 2009

Recently I had one of my best agents suddenly decide to leave our company. It was devastating to say the least and it left me, as a manager, confused and shocked. The main reason was not because of the loss of revenue that this agent produced, but it was more about the personal relationship and trust that was severed. It left me asking myself questions about my management style, my ability to read people and what I could have done to avoid the way this agent chose to leave. A great friend of mine, who was a manager of one company I worked for as an agent, once told me that ALL agents will leave a company sooner or later, no matter how good the company is, but you always hope that when they do leave it is on good terms and because it was the best decision for them or for you as a company. I thought I would share some thoughts on how associates can insure that a move from their current Broker to another company can be best done to insure a smooth and ethical transition that will be that kind of departure.

1. BE a grown up: This is a decision only you as a professional can make, and no matter how many opinions you get from people around you, the main factor is whether or not this is best for you and your business. It does not mean that it is best for everyone else in the company, nor should it be discussed with anyone other than you and the broker or manager. We are not in kindergarten where we have to get those around us to choose sides. If you can not make this decision based solely on what is best for you, then it may not be the best decision to make. Counsel with a person you know outside of your peers that you completely trust to be honest with you, and be realistic in your expectation of your current situation. This decision should never be taken lightly or hastily.

2. BE Truthful and direct: There is a saying that goes "Nothing changes if nothing changes". I say, "Change can't happen when people keep silent." What have you got to loose? Talk to your Broker or Manager about any issues or problems before it gets to a boiling point and you just up and walk out. Give them a chance to understand what is causing you to walk away. If you have done that already and nothing changed, then it may not have been something they were able or willing to make happen for you, but it will at least solidify your decision to move on if that is the case. This is your business and you should be willing to do whatever it takes to make it better. So don't keep good ideas to yourself if it will relieve stress or improve the work environment. Instead of just complaining about a situation, always come with a plan to improve it, and you should be well received.

3. BE Ethical: The clients an associate obtains while working with a company, no matter how close their relationships, belong to the Broker that holds their license at the time they obtained that client. This may not set very well with some of you, because you will tell me that if it were not for you the client would not be with that Brokerage Company, and this is probably true. The fact remains that the contractual relationship is established with the Broker, not the agent. This means that the ONLY person that should contact those clients and discuss your departure is the Broker or someone the Broker chooses to do this, NOT YOU the departing associate. There is no grey area about this. NAR has addressed this issue very clearly in Article 16 of the Code of Ethics, and more specifically Standard of Practice 16-20. Don't put your past Broker in a position of having to file an Ethics complaint against you by trying to take all the clients you have and pack up their listings or buyer's agreements and move to your new company. There is no amount of money that is worth your reputation as a professional REALTOR, and the damage you cause to the clients, the Broker and your relationships with these people will be greater than any financial gain you might perceive to be at stake. Most Brokers, when approached properly, will work out some kind of compensation package with departing associates, as long as that associate allows the Broker to be the one making those decisions. Damage and trust issues occur when an associate chooses to violate this ethical practice.

4. BE Prepared: The expenses involved in relocating your real estate business can be extensive and should be considered in advance of your departure. With today's marketing being largely internet based, there are websites to change over, e-mail addresses to change, business stationary, cards, signs and much more that needs to be up and ready to go the day after you move offices. All this takes planning, so never make hasty decisions in the heat of a moment about the relocation of your business. A well thought out and executed plan can make your transition from one company to another a smooth one. This is your business, so treat it with great care and it will continue seamlessly wherever you go.

Doing the right thing when it comes to leaving a company is often perceived as being harder than slinking away in the middle of the night. The reality is that Realtors are professionals and should treat their business as a business. When making a move there is a right and a wrong way to go about it. So take the higher and often less traveled route. You will be glad you did and so will the people you leave behind.

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