License Hanging in AZ

[Colin Cody]

Hello All,

I will officially have my Real Estate License here in Arizona in the next few weeks, and wanted some feedback on which particular brokerages to hang my license at. I know everyone has varying opinions on this after searching through the forums, so please allow me to elaborate on my background and what I'm looking for. I'm hoping some local agents can provide their 2 cents! BP's has been a great site for me, so thank you all in advance!

-My background is outside sales with minimal office time  requirements (which I prefer!). Cold calling, prospecting, contracts, regional account management, etc. are nothing new for me, but my passion has always been real estate so I've decided to follow that passion. Large amounts of mandatory office time, phone blocks, etc. would not suit my personal preference and entrepreneurial background.

-I will be focusing on the residential market to start

-I'm a transplant from the Midwest in 2012 so my 'network' of people to immediately tap into for referrals and warm leads here in AZ would be limited at first while I got up and running

-I would like to focus on the valley area (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, etc.)

-Commission splits, desk fees, leads, etc. I've heard of local brokerages like DPR, HomeSmart with almost no splits and others like Keller-Williams where it's more 50/50. I realize 50% of something is greater than 100% of nothing, but who controls the lead pipeline that the larger brokerages tout as a difference maker? I'm just concerned that 'paying' for leads via commission splits, desk fees, etc. is highly dependent on who's handing out the leads, the quality of them, and which agent receives them

Thank you all, and I appreciate any insight you can offer me as I take this exciting next step to pursue my career in Real Estate!!

-Colin M. Cody