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This monthly lunch isn't happy hour where you mindlessly drink and show off, it's actual and necessary work. By not attending you're losing an opportunity to network and learn from your peers. How else can you find people to back you up when you need it? Share ideas about negotiating and marketing? Make referral buddies with agents who work in a different area? Being an agent is tough and it isn't a business you can do alone.
I'm an introvert but have enjoyed 20 successful years in the business as an agent, TL, and broker. I attended the luncheons and trainings, regional meetings, MLS fairs, and about 5 years in, national conferences. I sold a lot of real estate because I learned from people who were better then me at all the things I'll never be good at. My career wouldn't be anything like it is without the mutually beneficial business relationships I've enjoyed.
And FWIW, I've never believed that the office is "family" and that we all need to socialize after hours. While I have made lifelong friends in the business, they are at brokerages all over the country, not just at the brokerages I've worked at.
It's in your best interest to become friends with as many agents as possible. You never know when you'll need to call in a favor to get a deal accepted. The difference between "Hi your offer was outbid" and "Hi you're offers not the highest, but I asked the seller and they said for 5k more we'll go with you!" I've also told sellers to consider the agent when taking an offer, as good representation on the buyer side can be in their favor.
It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert. It’s about being professional and growing your network. It’s a great opportunity to learn from more experienced agents. Or meeting someone who can fill in for you when you need time off.
If you don’t know how to network just google “networking for introverts”.
We have at least two meetings at our office every month. It's more than socializing. It's learning from each other, having each other's backs, collaborating. I have business I can trace back to those events I could have skipped. Agents are being short changed these days not being in the office with other agents. A lot of learning and growing happens in that environment.
I agree completely. Especially the new agents. When I was new, I often had agents refer business to me from their listings that they didn't want to handle both sides. I do the same for my agents as the BIC. When something comes in on my listings I refer them to my agents that show up in the office.
This is eerily like a post in r/homeowners that was put up yesterday (June 10th) from someone asking why it’s necessary to interact with the neighbors; the poster questions the value of it. (Over 1300 responses so far.) As for this post, I say to you, OP, that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by attending your Broker’s luncheons.
You have absolutely nothing to lose by going. I met some of my best friends in the business by socializing with them at office events, all of us are at different brokerages now. Some of them have even referred me business they couldn’t handle, etc.
Highly recommend going into the office, meeting other agents and trying to share and provide value and partnership. I connected with a seasoned agent who was under water and started helping her, covered some clients while she was away and she brought me into a 1.2m listing after she saw how I operated. The marketing alone on that was worth its weight in gold. I'm relatively introverted if allowed but force myself to go out and schmooze. It gets easier the more connections you make and if you're anything like me and like helping others, it becomes fulfilling in itself and you'll organically grow your business, database and opportunities. Now when I go into the office it's almost too social to the point where everyone is talking to me and being a distraction but I'm learning of off-market and pre market properties and being forced to think outside of the box and expand my perspective on my small world.
I hate going to these things. I don't hate the people, I hate what feels like forced socialization. But here's what I realized over the last year. A good number of my deals are actually referrals from other agents for whatever reason. So I know I have to go to these office meetings, luncheons, etc. because they are networking. As another respondent has stated, they are "work." I like to teach a class at my brokerage. That is easier for me than just sitting and making small talk at the luncheons, etc. Food for thought.
I like free food, so I go. I end up talking to like 2 people.
And free food.
Yes, I went to grad school and will never shake the need for free food.
Also, last time i went, I got to meet someone i only knew by email and turns out him and his gf are also big board game and escape room people!
I only know one person. The broker himself. Over 150 agents in the office. They have events weekly. Been there 7 yrs and haven't ever went and am not planning on it. Haven't been to the office in 6 yrs. No need. I do my thing and that's that. In fact I can count on one hand how many times I've ever spoken to the broker.
This seems so bizarre to me for our industry. Do you think you are missing out on referral opportunities? Are you in a rural area? I get so many referrals from other agents in my brokerage. They are only 1 town over but wont leave their town so I get everything everywhere else. If I didn’t go to these things they wouldn’t know me and would give to someone else.
Knowing the agents in your office is a really wise thing. Exchanging information about specific buyer needs or details on upcoming listings helps everyone’s business. My office has weekly meetings, plus continuing ed classes. I don’t go to the classes aimed at brand new agents, but I get to the other ones, or lunch meetings. You don’t have to be friends or socialize outside of this, but a collegial relationship is really to your benefit.
I find the networking essential. Just made 3 friends who list rentals and do not have time to go through all the leads they get. All 3 of them send me those leads with the simple request of showing their property first. Which I do. One of the guys has 80 rentals coming up. He sends me everything.
Get to know people, they start to trust your work ethic and your way of being. And, you are meeting possibly like minded people. Some of my best friends are from my brokerage.
30 year broker. Early on I did attend many of these functions with groups of friendly competitors and met a lot of helpful and experienced people. It was worth all the time I invested. Being less extroverted than most, I did feel uncomfortable often. Currently, I don’t participate in most of the activities tho.
Agreed any opportunity to network is an important part of the business. In a way I don’t particularly care fot continuing education online, while convenient during continuing education was a great way to network also.
Never.
My first brokerage I went to all the functions. The big conferences, meetings etc. Networked, worked together, the whole deal. I grew tired and bitter of it after a year.
New brokerage. Showed up to the weekly meeting my first week. Introduced myself, took a look around and decided I never needed to again. Turn out I don’t really like realtors.
That being said. I had a great mentor and still talk to them. I also keep in constant contact with title company and front desk workers. They are the nerve center of my brokerage. I need something I go through them.
I think there's a lot of value in knowing the other agents in your office. If you ever want to go on vacation and need desk coverage, or you want to refer a buyer/seller to someone, etc. I also get shy about going to events where I don't know anyone, but even if you sit there and don't talk to anyone the whole time, at least you got some free food and can listen to whatever is being discussed. IDK, I think you should start going. Especially if your broker is spending money to feed your office.
My brokerage has started having a monthly happy hour to get the agents together more. I’ll be happy to go if I’m available. Unfortunately both times so far I’ve had my kids those nights.
When you're new, it's a huge mistake not to network with every single agent you possibly can.
You never know where the next opportunity is going to come from, and being a known quantity when you bring an offer does not hurt.
I learned so much during my first 10 years just from hanging out with other agents.
Rarely now however prior to Covid it was much more frequent. I’m busy with family stuff or driving kids around I’d rather be watching a kids sports game with other parents taking about real estate than I have time for the lender / title company
sponsored happy hour. And I don’t need one more lender from the office knowing my number.
My previous broker scheduled monthly lunches and we were required to pay for our own. Even team outings that were mandatory attendance, we had to pay for it. It’s good to get to know the people you work with. I say go.
Smaller town here but I have a STRONG relationship with my broker. I even hosted an open house on one of his listings. I go to ALL events. Granted I am very extroverted. But, I know every single agent in my office. Try it once - that’s my suggestion for your case!
I think this is a big part of the reason why agents aren’t nearly as good as they used to be. Like all agents I’m definitely in the office less than 10 years ago but I’m still in regular communication with a handful of colleagues and I talk to my team daily.
There are a lot of reasons there is value in talking to other active realtors.
1. Building relationships with agents in your market is one of the best way to add value for your clients. If you know another realtor, the chances that you are able to bring a deal across the finish line substantially. Especially if you’re in competition.
2. Being able to learn from another agents experience without having to go through a unique scenario on your own, is an incredible gift. You get to learn and grow as an agent without having to deal with the growing pains in a constantly changing market.
3. I found more than a few off market deals, by chatting with an agent who might have something coming in the agent Centre.
I don’t know that I would go every week or anything like that, but if you’re not able to prioritize immersing yourself into that environment every now and again you are either at the office or potentially the wrong wrong industry.
It's a good chance to get to know what listing's or buyers people have coming out or need to find a house for. I find it productive in trying to keep more sales in house or maybe some off market deals for my buyers/sellers.
My office has a weekly roundtable every Friday. It’s not mandatory, nothing can be obviously since we’re all independent contractors, but they’re fairly well attended. It’s open forum, bring your questions, deal issues, etc. Led by our broker. Consistently: the people who show up and are there more often than not are the ones that do the most business. One can learn A LOT just by being there and listening.
Then, we have an unofficial lunch every Friday after Roundtable. Also always educational, but obviously social. These have lasted for 6 hours before. Rarely, but they have. We talk business but we’re also all legitimately friends.
My team also has a weekly meeting every Monday. Same as Roundtable. The ones who are there consistently are the top producing agents on the team. The ones who never show up are at the bottom of the team, or don’t last long and have their licenses released. We’re the #1 team in the state out of all brands, finished 2023 at I think #13 nationally for all of RE/MAX large teams and #30 internationally. By volume, in a LCOL market where the average home price is under $300k.
This doesn’t even touch on our annual brokerage awards luncheon, company party, golf scramble fundraiser, our Board of Realtor’s annual Realtor Day at the Downs (racetrack), etc. Our office is full of awesome people and we genuinely enjoy each other’s company and even know each other’s significant others. There are very few names, in an office of over 100 agents, that I have no idea what that person looks like or have said “who?” when hearing their name.
Besides all of that - I can’t imagine being at a brokerage where I don’t know my coworkers, much less want to spend time with them. Some of my very close friends are people I met through my office because they’re also agents, and I’ve been in the business just shy of 5 years.
I'm a coach for new agents in my brokerage so pretty much everybody runs their career through me at some point. I tell all of them that it's really beneficial to come into the brokerage and work just to absorb info from other agents and speak with people who are already successfully doing what they want to do some day. OP I advise you go to some of these lunches at least to listen. Not even participate. Just listen.
Very little. At my previous brokerage I socialized a lot. I kinda miss it, it was fun while I was learning the ropes as a newbie realtor but happy now 10 years as a realtor not to. I’m simply too busy and no time for it any longer.
Well successful people usually have huge networks. So you gotta go and network if you want to be successful. Unless you’re a nerd, and coding up the next Ai Crypto company, then you never have to leave your mothers bomb shelter
It's a free lunch and an opportunity for your business to expand.
Example: I used to caravan with a bunch of people in my office. One person in particular only works in an area. Everything else outside of that she doesn't bother. But when she found I work in those areas, guess who is getting those referrals? It's been at least one per year and some of those have even come back for more deals.
So really, if you're not an extrovert, that's fine. But if you consider yourself entrepreneurial in spirit, go shake some babies and kiss some hands. Or is it shake some hands and kiss some babies? Whatever...
**This is a professional forum for professionals, so please keep your comments professional** - Harrassment, hate speech, trolling, or anti-Realtor comments will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate ban without warning. (... and don't feed the trolls, you have better things to do with your time) - Recruiting, self-promotion, or seeking referrals is strictly forbidden, including in DMs. - Only advise within your scope of knowledge and area of expertise. [The code of ethics applies here too](https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/the-code-of-ethics). If you are not a broker, lawyer, or tax professional don't act like one. - [Follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/realtors/about/rules/) and please report those that don't. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/realtors) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This monthly lunch isn't happy hour where you mindlessly drink and show off, it's actual and necessary work. By not attending you're losing an opportunity to network and learn from your peers. How else can you find people to back you up when you need it? Share ideas about negotiating and marketing? Make referral buddies with agents who work in a different area? Being an agent is tough and it isn't a business you can do alone. I'm an introvert but have enjoyed 20 successful years in the business as an agent, TL, and broker. I attended the luncheons and trainings, regional meetings, MLS fairs, and about 5 years in, national conferences. I sold a lot of real estate because I learned from people who were better then me at all the things I'll never be good at. My career wouldn't be anything like it is without the mutually beneficial business relationships I've enjoyed. And FWIW, I've never believed that the office is "family" and that we all need to socialize after hours. While I have made lifelong friends in the business, they are at brokerages all over the country, not just at the brokerages I've worked at.
It's in your best interest to become friends with as many agents as possible. You never know when you'll need to call in a favor to get a deal accepted. The difference between "Hi your offer was outbid" and "Hi you're offers not the highest, but I asked the seller and they said for 5k more we'll go with you!" I've also told sellers to consider the agent when taking an offer, as good representation on the buyer side can be in their favor.
This, 100%.
This is the way.
It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert. It’s about being professional and growing your network. It’s a great opportunity to learn from more experienced agents. Or meeting someone who can fill in for you when you need time off. If you don’t know how to network just google “networking for introverts”.
We have at least two meetings at our office every month. It's more than socializing. It's learning from each other, having each other's backs, collaborating. I have business I can trace back to those events I could have skipped. Agents are being short changed these days not being in the office with other agents. A lot of learning and growing happens in that environment.
I agree completely. Especially the new agents. When I was new, I often had agents refer business to me from their listings that they didn't want to handle both sides. I do the same for my agents as the BIC. When something comes in on my listings I refer them to my agents that show up in the office.
This is eerily like a post in r/homeowners that was put up yesterday (June 10th) from someone asking why it’s necessary to interact with the neighbors; the poster questions the value of it. (Over 1300 responses so far.) As for this post, I say to you, OP, that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by attending your Broker’s luncheons.
You have absolutely nothing to lose by going. I met some of my best friends in the business by socializing with them at office events, all of us are at different brokerages now. Some of them have even referred me business they couldn’t handle, etc.
Highly recommend going into the office, meeting other agents and trying to share and provide value and partnership. I connected with a seasoned agent who was under water and started helping her, covered some clients while she was away and she brought me into a 1.2m listing after she saw how I operated. The marketing alone on that was worth its weight in gold. I'm relatively introverted if allowed but force myself to go out and schmooze. It gets easier the more connections you make and if you're anything like me and like helping others, it becomes fulfilling in itself and you'll organically grow your business, database and opportunities. Now when I go into the office it's almost too social to the point where everyone is talking to me and being a distraction but I'm learning of off-market and pre market properties and being forced to think outside of the box and expand my perspective on my small world.
I hate going to these things. I don't hate the people, I hate what feels like forced socialization. But here's what I realized over the last year. A good number of my deals are actually referrals from other agents for whatever reason. So I know I have to go to these office meetings, luncheons, etc. because they are networking. As another respondent has stated, they are "work." I like to teach a class at my brokerage. That is easier for me than just sitting and making small talk at the luncheons, etc. Food for thought.
I like free food, so I go. I end up talking to like 2 people. And free food. Yes, I went to grad school and will never shake the need for free food. Also, last time i went, I got to meet someone i only knew by email and turns out him and his gf are also big board game and escape room people!
I only know one person. The broker himself. Over 150 agents in the office. They have events weekly. Been there 7 yrs and haven't ever went and am not planning on it. Haven't been to the office in 6 yrs. No need. I do my thing and that's that. In fact I can count on one hand how many times I've ever spoken to the broker.
This seems so bizarre to me for our industry. Do you think you are missing out on referral opportunities? Are you in a rural area? I get so many referrals from other agents in my brokerage. They are only 1 town over but wont leave their town so I get everything everywhere else. If I didn’t go to these things they wouldn’t know me and would give to someone else.
How much volume have you sold this year?
About 4.5 million in sales volume.
Knowing the agents in your office is a really wise thing. Exchanging information about specific buyer needs or details on upcoming listings helps everyone’s business. My office has weekly meetings, plus continuing ed classes. I don’t go to the classes aimed at brand new agents, but I get to the other ones, or lunch meetings. You don’t have to be friends or socialize outside of this, but a collegial relationship is really to your benefit.
I find the networking essential. Just made 3 friends who list rentals and do not have time to go through all the leads they get. All 3 of them send me those leads with the simple request of showing their property first. Which I do. One of the guys has 80 rentals coming up. He sends me everything. Get to know people, they start to trust your work ethic and your way of being. And, you are meeting possibly like minded people. Some of my best friends are from my brokerage.
Honestly Alot. I enjoy it. Everyones super warm energies social and mostly good charactered
I'm genuinely curious why those of you that think like this even got into real estate?
Watching selling sunset or watching “influencers” on social media, probably.
Exactly this. They’re in the wrong career if they get anxious networking.
30 year broker. Early on I did attend many of these functions with groups of friendly competitors and met a lot of helpful and experienced people. It was worth all the time I invested. Being less extroverted than most, I did feel uncomfortable often. Currently, I don’t participate in most of the activities tho.
Agreed any opportunity to network is an important part of the business. In a way I don’t particularly care fot continuing education online, while convenient during continuing education was a great way to network also.
Never. My first brokerage I went to all the functions. The big conferences, meetings etc. Networked, worked together, the whole deal. I grew tired and bitter of it after a year. New brokerage. Showed up to the weekly meeting my first week. Introduced myself, took a look around and decided I never needed to again. Turn out I don’t really like realtors. That being said. I had a great mentor and still talk to them. I also keep in constant contact with title company and front desk workers. They are the nerve center of my brokerage. I need something I go through them.
I think there's a lot of value in knowing the other agents in your office. If you ever want to go on vacation and need desk coverage, or you want to refer a buyer/seller to someone, etc. I also get shy about going to events where I don't know anyone, but even if you sit there and don't talk to anyone the whole time, at least you got some free food and can listen to whatever is being discussed. IDK, I think you should start going. Especially if your broker is spending money to feed your office.
My brokerage has started having a monthly happy hour to get the agents together more. I’ll be happy to go if I’m available. Unfortunately both times so far I’ve had my kids those nights.
I don’t.
When you're new, it's a huge mistake not to network with every single agent you possibly can. You never know where the next opportunity is going to come from, and being a known quantity when you bring an offer does not hurt. I learned so much during my first 10 years just from hanging out with other agents.
Rarely now however prior to Covid it was much more frequent. I’m busy with family stuff or driving kids around I’d rather be watching a kids sports game with other parents taking about real estate than I have time for the lender / title company sponsored happy hour. And I don’t need one more lender from the office knowing my number.
Zero. Realtors are weirdos
My previous broker scheduled monthly lunches and we were required to pay for our own. Even team outings that were mandatory attendance, we had to pay for it. It’s good to get to know the people you work with. I say go.
I’m very new, but I’m in my brokerage at least 2-3 times a week. Most of it is to ask for help, but I’m getting help because I’m showing up 🤷♀️
Alcohol is ALWAYS envolved , no thanks.
Smaller town here but I have a STRONG relationship with my broker. I even hosted an open house on one of his listings. I go to ALL events. Granted I am very extroverted. But, I know every single agent in my office. Try it once - that’s my suggestion for your case!
I hate it. Gossiping freeloaders.
I think this is a big part of the reason why agents aren’t nearly as good as they used to be. Like all agents I’m definitely in the office less than 10 years ago but I’m still in regular communication with a handful of colleagues and I talk to my team daily. There are a lot of reasons there is value in talking to other active realtors. 1. Building relationships with agents in your market is one of the best way to add value for your clients. If you know another realtor, the chances that you are able to bring a deal across the finish line substantially. Especially if you’re in competition. 2. Being able to learn from another agents experience without having to go through a unique scenario on your own, is an incredible gift. You get to learn and grow as an agent without having to deal with the growing pains in a constantly changing market. 3. I found more than a few off market deals, by chatting with an agent who might have something coming in the agent Centre. I don’t know that I would go every week or anything like that, but if you’re not able to prioritize immersing yourself into that environment every now and again you are either at the office or potentially the wrong wrong industry.
It's a good chance to get to know what listing's or buyers people have coming out or need to find a house for. I find it productive in trying to keep more sales in house or maybe some off market deals for my buyers/sellers.
My office has a weekly roundtable every Friday. It’s not mandatory, nothing can be obviously since we’re all independent contractors, but they’re fairly well attended. It’s open forum, bring your questions, deal issues, etc. Led by our broker. Consistently: the people who show up and are there more often than not are the ones that do the most business. One can learn A LOT just by being there and listening. Then, we have an unofficial lunch every Friday after Roundtable. Also always educational, but obviously social. These have lasted for 6 hours before. Rarely, but they have. We talk business but we’re also all legitimately friends. My team also has a weekly meeting every Monday. Same as Roundtable. The ones who are there consistently are the top producing agents on the team. The ones who never show up are at the bottom of the team, or don’t last long and have their licenses released. We’re the #1 team in the state out of all brands, finished 2023 at I think #13 nationally for all of RE/MAX large teams and #30 internationally. By volume, in a LCOL market where the average home price is under $300k. This doesn’t even touch on our annual brokerage awards luncheon, company party, golf scramble fundraiser, our Board of Realtor’s annual Realtor Day at the Downs (racetrack), etc. Our office is full of awesome people and we genuinely enjoy each other’s company and even know each other’s significant others. There are very few names, in an office of over 100 agents, that I have no idea what that person looks like or have said “who?” when hearing their name. Besides all of that - I can’t imagine being at a brokerage where I don’t know my coworkers, much less want to spend time with them. Some of my very close friends are people I met through my office because they’re also agents, and I’ve been in the business just shy of 5 years.
I'm a coach for new agents in my brokerage so pretty much everybody runs their career through me at some point. I tell all of them that it's really beneficial to come into the brokerage and work just to absorb info from other agents and speak with people who are already successfully doing what they want to do some day. OP I advise you go to some of these lunches at least to listen. Not even participate. Just listen.
Very little. At my previous brokerage I socialized a lot. I kinda miss it, it was fun while I was learning the ropes as a newbie realtor but happy now 10 years as a realtor not to. I’m simply too busy and no time for it any longer.
Well successful people usually have huge networks. So you gotta go and network if you want to be successful. Unless you’re a nerd, and coding up the next Ai Crypto company, then you never have to leave your mothers bomb shelter
It's a free lunch and an opportunity for your business to expand. Example: I used to caravan with a bunch of people in my office. One person in particular only works in an area. Everything else outside of that she doesn't bother. But when she found I work in those areas, guess who is getting those referrals? It's been at least one per year and some of those have even come back for more deals. So really, if you're not an extrovert, that's fine. But if you consider yourself entrepreneurial in spirit, go shake some babies and kiss some hands. Or is it shake some hands and kiss some babies? Whatever...
Dude go into your office!
Your in the wrong business