Questions to Ask a Brokerage Before You Join
5 min read·Last reviewed: September 24, 2026
Brokerage interviews tend to be sales presentations: the office shows its best side and the new agent nods along. The way to get useful answers is to arrive with specific questions and ask every office the same ones. This guide gives you those questions, grouped by topic, with a note on why each one matters.
Key takeaways
- Ask every brokerage the same questions so the answers can be compared fairly.
- Training, supervision and lead support matter most in your first year.
- Get costs, splits and exit terms in writing, since they vary widely between offices.
- If you are joining a team, ask the team leader a separate set of questions.
On this page
Training and mentoring
Start here, because training decides how quickly you can close your first deals. Vague answers such as we help everyone are a signal to ask for specifics: days, times, and names.
Listen for names and schedules. An office that can tell you the day and time of its next contracts class, and the name of the person who reviews new agents' paperwork, usually has a program that actually runs.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What does a new agent's first 30 days look like here? | Shows whether there is a real program or just a desk |
| Is there a written training schedule I can see? | A schedule means training actually happens |
| Who reviews my first contracts before they go out? | Protects your clients and your license while you learn |
| Is there a mentor program, and what does the mentor receive? | Mentoring often shares part of your commission |
| Can I shadow an experienced agent on a listing appointment? | Watching real appointments speeds up learning |
| Who do I call on a weekend when a buyer wants to write an offer? | Tests how available supervision really is |
Lead sources
Few offices hand new agents a steady stream of buyers, but many offer some opportunities. Find out exactly what they are and what they cost.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does the office provide any leads to new agents? | Sets realistic expectations about finding clients |
| If so, how are leads assigned, and what share of the commission do they cost? | Company leads often carry a higher split |
| Can I hold open houses on office listings? | A proven way for new agents to meet buyers |
| Is there floor time or an office phone rotation? | Another source of first clients in some offices |
| What prospecting do your most successful new agents do? | Shows what actually works in this office |
Costs and split structure
Costs vary widely, so ask for them in writing and compare them side by side. Include costs that arrive whether or not you close.
Once you have the numbers, estimate your first year with a realistic number of closings, perhaps a few. Subtract every fee and the split from each commission, and compare what you would keep at each office alongside what support you would receive for it.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is my commission split as a new agent, and how can it change? | Your share of every deal |
| Is there a cap, and what happens after I reach it? | Affects what you keep later in the year |
| What monthly fees will I pay, even in a month with no closings? | These drain savings before your first commission |
| What per transaction fees apply? | Reduce every commission you earn |
| Who pays for errors and omissions coverage, technology and marketing? | Common costs that are easy to overlook |
| Can you give me every cost in writing on one page? | The only reliable basis for comparison |
Contract and exit terms
Nobody joins planning to leave, but the exit terms decide how painful a future move would be. Read the independent contractor agreement before you sign, not after.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How much notice do I need to give if I leave? | Affects how quickly you can move |
| What happens to my pending transactions if I leave? | Determines whether you are paid on deals in progress |
| Who keeps my listings if I leave? | Listings usually belong to the brokerage |
| Are any fees owed when I leave? | Exit fees can be a surprise |
| Can I take my own contact list and marketing with me? | Protects the network you build |
Team structure
Many offices have teams inside them. If you might join one, the team leader is effectively a second layer between you and the brokerage, with its own terms.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Are there teams in this office, and do they recruit new agents? | Teams are a common path for new agents |
| If I join a team, whose split applies: the team's, the office's, or both? | Your share can be reduced at two levels |
| Who provides the leads on the team, and what is expected of me in return? | Clarifies the trade you are making |
| Can I leave the team and stay with the brokerage? | Keeps your options open |
How to use the answers
Write the answers down immediately after each interview, in the same format for every office. Mark any answer you did not get as a follow-up item, and ask for it in writing by email.
Then compare offices on the two things that matter most in your first year: how well they will teach you and how long your savings will last under their costs. An office that scores well on both is usually a better choice than one with a slightly better split and little support.
Before you sign, confirm the registration or sponsorship process with your state authority. In Florida, Texas and California a new salesperson must work under a broker, and no brokerage work should start until that is in place.
Common questions
- Is it rude to ask about costs in an interview?
- No. Brokers expect it, and a clear answer is a good sign. An office that avoids giving costs in writing is telling you something important.
- How many of these questions should I ask?
- All of them over the course of the process, though not necessarily in one meeting. Send the cost and contract questions by email if time runs short.
- Should I negotiate my split as a new agent?
- You can ask, but new agents usually have little leverage. Focus instead on training, supervision and low fixed costs, which matter more at the start.
- What if two offices score about the same?
- Choose the one where you felt most comfortable asking questions. You will be asking a lot of them in your first year.
- Should I bring these questions in writing?
- Yes. A printed list keeps the conversation on track and shows the broker you are serious. It also makes it easier to record answers in the same format for every office.
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Sources
Last reviewed: September 24, 2026. Requirements, fees and funding rules change. Confirm current details with the official source before relying on anything here.