The Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Joining a New Real Estate Brokerage

Switching brokerages is a pivotal career move. At LRE Realty, we believe an agent’s success hinges not only on splits and fees, but on culture, support, training, leadership access, and genuine investment in your growth. Before you sign on the dotted line, here are the 10 questions you must ask — and how to use the answers to see whether the brokerage you’re considering is truly a fit.

1. What is your commission structure, cap, and fee model?

One of LRE Realty’s biggest differentiators: $14,000 cap at an 80/20 split, with a $25 transaction fee for insurance and review — and no monthly desk fees. (Unlike many brokerages that stack on hidden recurring costs.) lrerealty.com
Ask any prospective brokerage:

• At what point do you “cap out,” and does the split change after that?

• Are there desk fees, franchise fees, E&O insurance, or other recurring fees?

• Are there any hidden or surprise fees per transaction?

Knowing this ensures you’re comparing apples to apples — not being dazzled by a high split that’s offset by climbing fees.

2. How do you deliver value that justifies your split/fees?

LRE Realty positions itself not as the cheapest option — but as the best value.
Ask:

• What services, coaching, or systems do I get in return?

• How does your value offering stack up against lower-cost brokerages?

• What’s your ROI (in terms of deals closed, support given, marketing, leads, training) for agents who take full advantage of your resources?

The right brokerage shouldn’t just take your split — it should give you tools and support that make your payments an investment, not a burden.

3. What training, mentorship, and continuing education do you offer — on a consistent basis?

In LRE’s model, three or more classes/meetings per week are provided, led by active, high-performing agents. Many of those sessions qualify for continuing education. lrerealty.com
Questions to ask:

• How many training sessions per month? Who teaches them?

• Are these led by veteran agents or outside “gurus”?

• Do they qualify for CE credits or recertification?

• Is there scheduled mentorship or one-on-one coaching?

If your new brokerage can’t deliver consistent, high-quality learning, you risk stagnating.

4. What culture and leadership philosophy do you operate by?

Often unspoken but felt every day: the culture of a brokerage can make or break your experience. LRE emphasizes a culture of innovation, integrity, and putting agents first — and the broker promises accessibility: “I answer my phone … I’m in the office daily.”
Ask:

• How accessible is the broker/leadership?

• How often do you bring agents together (meetings, masterminds, retreats)?

• What is the tone — collaborative or hyper-competitive?

• Can I “test-drive” the culture (visit an office, attend an event) before committing?

You want a culture that motivates and supports you — not one you dread walking into.

5. How do leads and referrals get handled?

A key advantage of joining a brokerage is access to leads and referrals. Check:

• Do you receive leads or referrals from the brokerage?

• Is there a lead distribution system? If so, how is it prioritized?

• Is there any partner/referral network (relocations, referrals outside your area)?

• Are agents required to return leads or pay referral fees internally?

If the brokerage expects you to build all your leads yourself but charges you heavily, that’s a red flag.

6. What technology, CRM, and transaction systems do you provide?

In today’s market, scalable systems are essential. Ask:

• What CRM or lead management platforms are included (at no extra cost)?

• What transaction and document management tools are built in?

• Do you integrate marketing automations, listing syndication, or analytics dashboards?

• Who handles tech support if things break?

The better the tech infrastructure, the more bandwidth you have to focus on selling.

7. What support staff or back-end resources are available?

LRE’s selling point: they focus on backing their agents. You want to ensure:

• Is there a transaction coordinator, compliance staff, marketing support, or admin help?

• Will I have someone in the office I can lean on for paperwork, compliance, or logistics?

• What is your ratio of support staff to agents?

The more of the behind-the-scenes tasks that are handled for you, the more time you have to focus on clients and revenue.

8. What are your growth, leadership, and advancement opportunities?

You might not be content always as a solo agent — you might want to build a team or take on leadership. Ask:

• Are there paths to become a team leader, office manager, or other internal roles?

• Does the brokerage invest in leadership development?

• Can agents influence new programs or shape culture/strategy?

Joining a brokerage that lets you grow means you won’t outgrow it.

9. What is your local market reputation and presence?

Brand and credibility matter. LRE was ranked a Top 10 brokerage in MLSOK (among 784 competitors) within a year of launching. lrerealty.com
Ask:

• How well-known is the brokerage locally?

• What is their reputation among agents, clients, and the media?

• What marketing pushes or branding support do they provide to help you piggyback on their name?

A strong brokerage brand gives you instant credibility and often better lead flow.

10. How accessible is leadership, and how do you serve agents?

This might seem “soft,” but it’s critical. At LRE, the broker makes a point: “The agents at LRE Realty are my clients. And I am available to my clients.” lrerealty.com
Ask:

• How often does leadership meet with agents one-on-one?

• Are brokers or principals reachable, or remote and distant?

• What is their philosophy about agent support and empowerment?

• How often do they evaluate whether their own systems are working for agents?

A brokerage should serve its agents — not the other way around.

How to Use These Questions: A Quick Checklist

1. Interview multiple brokerages using this same list.

2. Ask for real agent references at each brokerage (especially agents in your price/experience tier).

3. Request to audit classes or attend one meeting to sense the culture firsthand.

4. Do the math: project your business under each commission model after all fees.

5. Consider your goals (team, growth, income, work-life balance) and pick a brokerage aligned with that.

Final Thoughts

When you see a brokerage that checks off these boxes — strong leadership, consistent training, supportive culture, solid tech, real value for fees, and accessibility — you’ve likely found one worth joining.

At LRE Realty, we’ve built our model around exactly that. Our mission is to help you thrive, not just survive.