New Again Agent

[Alexander Zeisberg]

Hey BiggerPockets! I'm Alex, a recently re-licensed real estate agent in SW Michigan, back in action after five years off as a stay-at-home dad. I've completed my ABR and MRP certifications, finished the Southwest Michigan Realtor course, and am pumped to start building up my business again! I just set up a Google Appointment Calendar to let clients book showings and meetings directly—really excited to see how that streamlines things. I feel like it'll help clients feel more in control of the process, especially when they have busy schedules.

Right now, I'm actively looking for ways to connect with new buyers and sellers without going overboard on spending. In Washington, where I was previously licensed, I had easy access to phone numbers for expired listings right on the MLS, making it straightforward to cold-call expireds. Here in Michigan, it's not as easy, so I'm exploring alternatives. Has anyone here tried different approaches? Door-knocking is on my radar, but if there's an efficient workaround for reaching out to expireds, I'd love to know!

I’ve also been thinking a lot about my commission structure, especially for buyer-side transactions. My goal is to keep things clear and flexible: I’m considering a setup where I offer my services for 2.5%, but if the seller offers 3% or higher, I keep that extra difference. If the seller offers less than 2.5%, though, the buyer would need to cover the gap. I want to make sure clients feel this is fair and transparent—has anyone structured their commissions similarly, and how’s it worked for you?

Beyond these details, I’m excited to dive back into the basics and beyond—open houses, expired listings, online marketing, and more. SW Michigan is a beautiful and growing market, with great opportunities across the board, from family homes to investment properties. I’d love to get creative with marketing without spending a ton, whether through social media, local community groups, or any other cost-effective avenues. If you have any tips on reaching more people and building a pipeline while staying budget-friendly, I’m all ears.

Looking forward to learning from this community, sharing what I know, and getting back into the real estate game full force. Thanks for any advice or insights you can share—I’m excited to make a fresh start here and connect with everyone in SW Michigan and beyond!

[Abel Curiel]

Hello @Alexander Zeisberg and welcome back!

Door knocking leads to one of the highest-quality interactions you can have with a prospective client. 

For no/low-cost seller leads, I'd also recommend FSBO via zillow or realtor.com.

As far as commission structure, the post-NAR settlement rule is that you are only allowed to collect the amount negotiated on your buyer agreement. In order to collect 3% in the scenario you presented, you'd need to amend your original buyer agreement.

If your commission is 2.5% and the seller is paying 2%, you can structure the additional .5% into the purchase price. i.e. If the purchase price is $400K, you can write the offer so that the net amount to the seller is $398K.

Lastly, if you believe there is opportunity in your local market, educate the BP community! Post regularly to update us on market trends, deals you're analyzing, and any opportunities you think would benefit investors. Aside from that, get to know local investors via BP events, meetup.com and eventbrite.

All the best!

Abel