New Here & Looking for Help

[Victoria Tufo]

Hello BiggerPockets world!

I just started listening to podcasts about a week ago.

My mom is currently working towards her real estate license and has rental properties. 

I've explored the realtor side and turned it away about 4 years ago, but I keep being pushed towards it.

Friends, co-workers, and family are giving me more and more reasons to start as a realtor in order to learn the lingo, the business and have more inside knowledge of properties.

So now for my question... I am signing up for real estate classes in order to get my realtor's license. For beginner's, what is the best company to look for/join as my broker? What things should I focus on when searching for my best match?
I've read several articles of national vs boutique brokers and I'm leaning towards starting off with a national brand. I know the commission splits are worse with a national brand, but there are values that are better than boutique brokers.
Please keep in mind, my goal is to have rental properties with an ROI. Being a realtor won't do it, but it will teach me more about the industry, allow me to network and start to make a name for myself.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[John Bryson]

In all honesty(I started real estate 5 years ago for the exact same reasons)  I'm not sure it matters.  Here's why:

1-If your goal is investment, would your time be better spent learning how to be an agent, or learning investment?

2-From personal experience at both National(Keller Williams) and no-name(City-Closers) brokerages, the only time the name of the company has cost me has been when speaking with luxury sellers.  Even then though, most clients choose YOU, not the brokerage you work for.

YOU MUST KEEP THE END GOAL IN MIND OR YOU'LL GET LOST IN BEING AN AGENT AND WASTE TIME DOING THINGS THAT AREN'T BENEFICIAL TO YOUR END GOAL!

My best advice is to choose a brokerage that can help you with your goal as much as possible...If rentals/commercial real estate is the goal, then you're going to want to become a WIZARD at analyzing properties....I'd research commercial brokerages that have good training programs....it may be difficult at first, but at least you won't waste years.

Hope this helps!