Realtor Growth: Is Your Real Estate Team Holding You Back?

By Marcus Vanzant

Marcus Vanzant is a second-generation real estate broker and founder of Marcus & Company Realty in Bradenton, FL.

Real estate teams are broken. This may be controversial since many think teams are the best option. I’m also not saying they’re entirely bad, but there are serious issues with how they function.

If you’re on a team, it’s time to look closely at what you’re doing. Hear me out as I discuss the complexities of real estate teams, how they work, and whether it’s time to build your reputation as a real estate professional.

Why do real estate teams exist? Brokerages can’t do what teams do, or they simply refuse to. When I started my brokerage in 2009, I knew I needed a team because I just couldn’t handle everything on my own.

A lot of credit goes to Gary Keller of Keller Williams for creating the team concept. Gary speaks to team leaders, not brokers or owners, whenever he is on stage. That’s because many brokers just don’t know how to make teams work effectively. They struggle with training and providing opportunities.

What makes real estate teams broken? Teams can be great for training and keeping agents busy, which helps them make money. However, they’re often broken. Why do I say this?

When I ran a team from 2018 to 2019, we had to follow a structure that limited agents’ growth.

When you’re on a real estate team led by a “rainmaker,” it’s usually that person who gets all the credit for the sales, not the agent. This can make individual agents feel undervalued, even if they play a big role in the team’s success.

Many agents ask if there’s a transaction coordinator to handle the paperwork. However, I don’t support that approach because

Many agents want a transaction coordinator to handle paperwork, but I think they should take charge of their processes. I’ve seen successful agents close over 50 deals a year without needing that extra help. I’ve seen many successful agents close over 50 deals a year without relying on extra support.

Top agents often want to keep control over their paperwork and transactions. This control helps them understand every detail of their deals, which is vital for their growth and reputation in the industry.

So why do team leaders want to take control of their paperwork? Because they don’t want you to build your reputation. If you’re closing deals under a team leader’s name, you’re not building your personal online presence, which is crucial for long-term success.

Being part of a team can help you make money and learn, but many team members realize after about three years that they need to focus on their brand. The sooner you figure this out, the better.

At Marcus and Company, we help agents build their reputations from day one. To be a sustainable agent, you must work on your name recognition and build relationships that lead to referrals.

What’s the future of real estate teams? Teams have been broken for a long time, and we’ll see a shift in how they operate. Old-school brokerages that don’t help their agents will fade away. Teams must start their brokerages or find new ways to support agents in building their brands.

Focus on your market presence to achieve high profitability and lasting success. Google your name and see what comes up. If your online presence isn’t strong, that says much about where you stand.

Whether you’re on a team or leading one, there are opportunities for growth. If you’re a team leader, consider getting your broker license and starting your brokerage that offers better support for your team members.

For more real estate insights and strategies, contact me at (941)404-8676 or success@marcusandcompanyrealty.com. I’d love to connect with you.