Century 21 Agents how do you like their system (new agent, contracts, listings)

[Ken_Cent21]

I'm about to embark on a career change and have been sponsored by Century 21 broker to get my license. I know each broker is different, but in general how do you like Century 21 system?

[c21boquetebocasgold]

Originally Posted by Ken_Cent21

I'm about to embark on a career change and have been sponsored by Century 21 broker to get my license. I know each broker is different, but in general how do you like Century 21 system?

Well, Ken, I'll be your first responder. To me C21 was a perfect fit and I had a lot of brokerages trying to recruit me. C21 has great training tools, no set huge desk fees, the 21online tools, virtual classrooms where if there was a specific 'topic' I wanted to learn more about could log in and attend/participate. If I wouldn't have loved the system so much I wouldn't have invested over 30 years of work experience, including paralegal work, into buying my own sub-franchises in Panama. I was born at night, but not last night, ya know? I like the referral network and with the strong name recognition, for me personally, get a lot of referrals because I'm C21 - even from brokerages in the States that are competitors for market share. We were the first into Central America and I even operate different than other offices in the Region (I only accept exclusive right to sell listings in a non-exclusive market and we operate according to US standards of practice)

Key thing is system + plus support you're given by your managing broker. You can have a great system, but if you don't have a good managing broker who is helping you, especially in the early days, then . . . . why they say each office is 'independently owned and operated'. Just because they're C21 or any other name for that matter, if the managing broker sucks and doesn't help, especially, their new agents then someone can have a bad experience.

I was lucky that when I first started out in RE with C21 I had a managing broker that was the bomb and I was productive from the start. But I worked my butt off from day one to get enough in the pipeline, so to speak, so I'd start having closings. I paid attention to how the experienced agents at the brokerage worked and learned a lot from them, too - in fact, I picked one who I really admired and told him my goal was to beat him in sales my first quarter - don't know who was happier when I did it; him or me Plus I always put the needs of the client B4 $$$ in my pocket - the financial rewards do come, but the client should come first. They KNOW if an agent is just in RE for the money - and that's a quick way to lose clients & referrals from past clients. There are a lot of start up fees as everyone else has said so you are smart to ask questions before you make the 'leap' into RE. And have some $$ in the bank, until you have closings - sounds like from your other post that you picked a brokerage 45 minutes away from where you live because they have median priced homes selling so I think that gives you a good place to make that 'leap'.

Whatever you decide, you have done a ton of research, you KNOW RE is not an 'instant gratification' business, and that you're going to have to work your butt off. I wish you all the best, whichever course you choose to take, and don't forget about 'referrals' as a way to generate income. A lot of people are leaving the States so if you have ppl walking into the office and looking for a C21 office in another country (& we're pretty much everywhere), have your MB help you with how to deal with, especially, international eferrals. Don't make as much as direct sales in your home market, but $$ is $$, ya know?

Good Luck

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by c21boquetebocasgold

Well, Ken, I'll be your first responder. To me C21 was a perfect fit and I had a lot of brokerages trying to recruit me. C21 has great training tools, no set huge desk fees, the 21online tools, virtual classrooms where if there was a specific 'topic' I wanted to learn more about could log in and attend/participate. If I wouldn't have loved the system so much I wouldn't have invested over 30 years of work experience, including paralegal work, into buying my own sub-franchises in Panama. I was born at night, but not last night, ya know? I like the referral network and with the strong name recognition, for me personally, get a lot of referrals because I'm C21 - even from brokerages in the States that are competitors for market share. We were the first into Central America and I even operate different than other offices in the Region (I only accept exclusive right to sell listings in a non-exclusive market and we operate according to US standards of practice)

Key thing is system + plus support you're given by your managing broker. You can have a great system, but if you don't have a good managing broker who is helping you, especially in the early days, then . . . . why they say each office is 'independently owned and operated'. Just because they're C21 or any other name for that matter, if the managing broker sucks and doesn't help, especially, their new agents then someone can have a bad experience.

I was lucky that when I first started out in RE with C21 I had a managing broker that was the bomb and I was productive from the start. But I worked my butt off from day one to get enough in the pipeline, so to speak, so I'd start having closings. I paid attention to how the experienced agents at the brokerage worked and learned a lot from them, too - in fact, I picked one who I really admired and told him my goal was to beat him in sales my first quarter - don't know who was happier when I did it; him or me Plus I always put the needs of the client B4 $$$ in my pocket - the financial rewards do come, but the client should come first. They KNOW if an agent is just in RE for the money - and that's a quick way to lose clients & referrals from past clients. There are a lot of start up fees as everyone else has said so you are smart to ask questions before you make the 'leap' into RE. And have some $$ in the bank, until you have closings - sounds like from your other post that you picked a brokerage 45 minutes away from where you live because they have median priced homes selling so I think that gives you a good place to make that 'leap'.

Whatever you decide, you have done a ton of research, you KNOW RE is not an 'instant gratification' business, and that you're going to have to work your butt off. I wish you all the best, whichever course you choose to take, and don't forget about 'referrals' as a way to generate income. A lot of people are leaving the States so if you have ppl walking into the office and looking for a C21 office in another country (& we're pretty much everywhere), have your MB help you with how to deal with, especially, international eferrals. Don't make as much as direct sales in your home market, but $$ is $$, ya know?

Good Luck

EXCELLENT!!!! REP headed your way.

[c21boquetebocasgold]

Originally Posted by tomocox

EXCELLENT!!!! REP headed your way.

Thanks, Tom.

[eric#1]

From the outside looking in. There are 3 C21 offices in my area. I coop with 2 of them quite regularly. They seem to be ran very differently and I have had great experiences with both, and the brokers run a tight ship with what appears to be a comfortable atmosphere. The 3rd, well.....

[c21boquetebocasgold]

Originally Posted by eric#1

From the outside looking in. There are 3 C21 offices in my area. I coop with 2 of them quite regularly. They seem to be ran very differently and I have had great experiences with both, and the brokers run a tight ship with what appears to be a comfortable atmosphere. The 3rd, well.....

Exactly - tried to rep you but said I had to spread the wealth B4 I could. A lot of MBs out there who could learn quite a bit from reading forums like this.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by c21boquetebocasgold

Exactly - tried to rep you but said I had to spread the wealth B4 I could. A lot of MBs out there who could learn quite a bit from reading forums like this.

That's why I'm here

[oldmanbob]

Great mangaging brokers, and like many have said, they will be there to help you learn and transition thru lots of difficult times, ecpecially starting out. In fact, this buisness is always a challenge, and selling and putting in contracts is the easist part, then all the worry usually starts. Being totally honest, accesible and keeping in current contact is one of the most important task, and once you earn some reputation, then referrals start comming, and that can take a year of so, to start getting clients to help. Remember, making friends and winning the client over, is best way to promote yourself, and always do the right thing, as that pays dividends forever. I like to have the best relationshi with my clients and if you do your job right, putting them first, then you will have friends forever and expect invites to dinner and etc. So work hard, and glean from the best and always stay positve, in voice tones as it shows if your positive and happy. Do not ever be embarrassed to say, I dont know, but will find out, as it shows honesty and humility. Good luck, so work hard and have fun.

[byoak]

I was with an idependent broker for the first 3 months after I received my license. I showed a Century 21 brokers property and the next day as we are discussing the property she invites me to come and sit down. I was there for 10 minutes and switched immediately. Best move I ever made. With the no desk fees, the support system and the name recognition added to the educational system and you have a Brokerage that is miles above the rest.

[c21boquetebocasgold]

Originally Posted by c21boquetebocasgold

Exactly - tried to rep you but said I had to spread the wealth B4 I could. A lot of MBs out there who could learn quite a bit from reading forums like this.

FINALLY had spread enough wealth around that I could rep ya! Big Mama has a long memory