So, you are thinking of starting your real estate career with a team. Let me tell you what I saw.
Over the years, I’ve seen agents step up in two ways. You can start alone with a license and high hopes, or you can start within a team with structure, coaching, and accountability. In my experience, those who grow faster, earn more consistently, and actually stay in business usually had someone else teach them how to do this business correctly.
I really wish someone had put me in a strong team when I started and said, “Follow our system and we’ll teach you.”
Here’s what you need to know before you dive in, both good and bad.
What actually is a real estate team?
Let’s think about this for a moment. Doctors have teams, dentists have teams, insurance agents have teams. But in the real estate industry, we often hand someone a license and say, “You’re independent. Good luck.”
A properly functioning real estate team does the opposite. It’s not just a big producer with a few helpers. It’s a business within a business. There are typically leaders who set the vision and develop talent, listing professionals who drive inventory, buyer’s agents who are on-site with clients, and client care and marketing staff who keep deals and opportunities flowing.
I think of them as the Avengers of the housing market. Everyone brings a different superpower and provides a level of service and consistency that is difficult to match on your own.
Advantages of starting with a team
This is what I truly believe. Starting with the right team means you can shave years off your learning curve. The best real estate teacher is the game.
You’re not alone figuring out what to do every day. There are huddles, scripts to practice, people to role-play, and systems that have already been tested. You’ll find out how top producers think, how they handle objections, and how they bounce back when a deal goes awry. This kind of exposure is valuable.
And economically? Many agents find that they actually earn more with lower splits if they are on a good team. The team pays for marketing, administration, and transaction management. There’s no need to bury yourself in paperwork or “fake jobs.” You’re spending your time doing activities that actually generate money, like prospecting, showing homes, making offers, and negotiating.
You can keep your percentage per trade low, but you can often close more trades more consistently and make fewer costly mistakes. The questions I ask potential team members are: “What’s more important to you? The amount you split or the amount you take home to your family?”
Trade-offs that need to be honest
Next, let’s talk about the parts that aren’t part of creating a marketing flyer.
Being on a team means following a system, not being free-spirited. You’ll probably be in a lower split. There are standards to adhere to, such as attending huddles, meeting activity goals, and following systems.
Conflicts sometimes arise because groups of humans who work closely together create friction. There will also be a shift from “my brand, my face, my name” to “my brand, my customers, my results.”
And they become dependent on others. If the transaction coordinator misses something or the marketing is delayed, you feel it. You can’t say, “I did my part, so it’s okay.” you are part of the whole. Do your due diligence and make sure the team you’re joining has a good support system and staff that can handle the volume you’re about to deliver.
If what you really want is to come and go as you please, no one to ask about your numbers, and to do everything your way, a real team may not be the right direction. Great teams have a winning structure and consistency, teaching their team members how to hunt, convert, and trade like true professionals.
Hidden Danger: Bad Team
Let’s be clear on this: not all teams are healthy and starting with the wrong team can set your career back.
Over the years, I’ve seen the same failure points pop up over and over again. Patrick Lencioni explains this beautifully in The Five Dysfunctions of Teams, and in my experience, his framework works almost perfectly in real estate. When a team struggles, it’s usually because of the following reasons:
Trust weakens Tough conversations are avoided Commitments become vague Responsibility becomes unclear Results become less important
What does it look like in real life?
Prospects are not shared equitably. People no longer communicate directly. Meetings feel safe, but they are unproductive. Standards exist on paper, but not in reality. And slowly, sometimes silently, the momentum fades away.
On the other hand, the healthiest teams we’ve coached operate very differently.
They clarify their core values. They have clearly defined roles and clearly defined goals. They keep track of what’s important. They talk openly about what’s working and what’s not. And leaders do more than just give motivational speeches. They model the behavior they expect.
This is what I truly believe. A team without trust will always struggle, no matter how talented its employees are. And teams with strong trust, clear standards, and true accountability can outperform almost anyone.
Start your career in such an environment.
Is starting with a team right for you?
Agents who succeed on teams aren’t always the most talented from day one, but they have the best attitudes and are willing to follow the system.
They are happy to be coached. Be willing to take responsibility for your own goals. We are willing to show up, follow their activities, and be part of something bigger than ourselves.
So ask yourself honestly.
“Am I more obsessed with getting a big cut or taking home a bigger check? Am I willing to be coached, measured, and sometimes uncomfortable in order to grow faster? Do I want to learn this business the hard way? Or do I want to learn it the smart way?”
If your answer is yes to growth, yes to coaching, and yes to being part of a real team, starting your career with a good team may be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made in real estate.
