New Broker
A word from Doug
Before we get started...
Please provide us some personal information so we can start integrating you into our systems.
It's best to take these steps in order. You can click on each one to go to the instructions.
The 11 Steps to Starting Your Career as a Real Estate Broker
STEP 1
Get Your Professional Marketing Photo
Provide us with a high-resolution photo. It should be able to be blown up to a size of approximately 12 x 16 while still maintaining quality resolution. It should also have NO BACKGROUND if at all possible with your photographer. If this is not possible, we will try to take the background out. It would need to be a high contrasting background and your hair should not be whispy, as it is almost impossible to take the background out when it’s mixed into the hair.
Below is a depiction between amateur and professional photos. Remember, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Your photo is the centerpice of your marketing. You need to look professional but approachable at the same time.
REALLY Bad - Not approachable, obviously an amateur photo of low resolution, and the shoulders are cut off.
Bad - Not approachable and background can't be taken out around the hair.
Good - Looks approachable and background was easy to take out around the hair.
STEP 2
Take the State Real Estate Broker License Exam
NOTE – In order to obtain and maintain your license, you must first set up what the State calls a SAW account. Instructions are found on this button link.
Once your required initial courses have been completed, you will need to schedule for the State exam. The following button will take you to that section on the Department of Licensing website which explains how to do that.
STEP 3
Obtain Your License From the State D.O.L.
Assuming you passed the exam, you will then be required to have a fingerprint and background check. The following button will take you to that section on the D.O.L. website which explains how to go about that. Just go to the “What you’ll need to apply for a license” section.
After you have your fingerprints taken, the background check is done, and assuming nothing comes up on your background check which would preclude your from obtaining a license, the D.O.L. will send you an email stating that the license is approved. The email should look something like this.
“Dear__________
Your exam results are in the system
Your fingerprints have been processed
Congratulations on your new Real Estate Broker’s license 21001556.
Your license is currently set to inactive – no active affiliations status. When you receive and accept an invitation to join a firm, your license will automatically become active upon your acceptance of the invitation.
Sincerely,
Natasha F. – DOL REAL ESTATE”
Once you receive this notification, send us this form and we will proceed to apply to have you added to our company roster. Once we’ve added you, you will receive an invite to join. Once you’ve accepted the invite, you will be automatically added to our firm. Once you’re added to the firm, we will add you to our company roster in NWMLS.
STEP 4
Join the WEBREALTY Team
Once we receive the notice that you are ready to move forward, we will send you a packet of documents for review. They will include an NAR Safety document, Independent Contractor Agreement and Policies and Procedures. Assuming you don’t have any questions, you can sign them. Once we get these documents back, we will then add you to the firm through the D.O.L. website. You will receive an email from the D.O.L. asking you to confirm that you wish to join our firm. We will then let you know when you’re official!
CONGRATULATIONS!
STEP 5
Join the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS)
We will now add you to our company through the NWMLS website. You will receive an email from the NWMLS to confirm you have been added to our firm. It should also include your identification number, they refer to as a LAG number. You will use that alot!
STEP 6
Provide Us Your Photo and Other Information
At this point, you may have already sent us your photograph(s). If not, we will definitely need them now, in order to proceed. In addition, you have your State License number and your NWMLS LAG number so you are now ready to submit the rest of your information to us through this form. Once we get this form back, we can start putting together your systems, tools, and resources.
STEP 7
Take the NWMLS Required Courses
After you receive your login credentials, register on the NWMLS site for the “New Subscriber Orientation”, the “Matrix 1: Essentials” and the “Listing Input” courses. These are required to obtain a Supra key to install and open lockboxes, gain database access, search for homes, and most other functions found in the NWMLS. Other classes may be taken at any time.
We HIGHLY recommend that after you are up and running in NWMLS that you continue to take every course you can to learn the systems provided. There is a lot to learn, but these are the tools of the trade that are so important to become familiar with and learn how to best utilize them to help you propel your career.
NOTE! Inbetween taking the various NWMLS courses, you should fill in your time by going through the WEBREALTY Team Onboarding Training (see below)
STEP 8
Begin Your Onboarding Training
At this point, you have your license, you’ve joined the WEBREALTY Team, the NWMLS, and REALTORS. Your business cards are, or are soon to be, ordered. You’ve also provided us with your photo and other information so we can start setting you up in all of our systems and get your websites built.
You may be still in the process of taking the required courses in NWMLS. In addition to the required courses, we absolutely encourage you to continue taking as many courses as you can. For a small fee, you can use them for continuing education credits AND become more knowledgeable and proficient at utilizing the many tools and resources provided by the NWMLS.
While you are continuing to take courses from the NWMLS, you can use your other available time to start the Onboarding Training. This training is critical in not only learning the basics of your new profession, but to learn how to utilize the high level tools and resources we provide to help you run your business and close more transactions. With that said, let’s get started!
Use this checklist form to keep us and you apprised of your progress.
While you are going through these steps, you can Record Your Progress by checking each item off as completed. You can then click on the "Save Your Progress and Resume Later" link at the bottom. It will allow you to fill in your email address and it will send you a link. The next time you want to return to this page, just click on that link. It will bring you back and your checked items will be preserved.
When you are finished with all of the courses, please submit the completed form. At that point we will contact you for a moving forward meeting!
STEP 9
Get Your Supra Mobile App
You will need to subscribe to the Supra Key App for your phone. This provides you access into Supra keyboxes to show homes and to put keyboxes on your listings.
Once you have completed the NWMLS New Subscriber Orientation online course, take the follwing documents to the local NWMLS office. The Thurston County office is at 510 Stoll Rd. SE, Suite B, Olympia WA 98501. Their phone number is 360-493-1015.
- Your official licensing document – either a copy of your license, temporary license, or a copy of the “congratulations” letter from the Washington State D.O.L.
- Photo ID
- Method of payment: Credit card, debit card, or check made out to Supra, not NWMLS. Cash, money orders, and cashier’s checks are not accepted.
STEP 10
Order Supplies
We assume you already have a car, a cell phone, and a computer. The following are marked as either mandatory, suggested, or optional.
1. Business Cards (MANDATORY) – While trying to maintain somewhat consistency in design for branding purposes, the office has dozens of combinations of required and optional features on your business cards. You can use our design form for a totally unique design, or simply choose from designs ordered in the past. Either way, you will select your design and we will create your print ready artwork for you in Adobe Illustrator, pdf, and jpg formats.
2. Signs (OPTIONAL) – The office maintains a supply of generic signs you can borrow through our checkout system. In that sense, if you’re on a budget, it’s not totally necessary to order signs at this time. However, it is highly recommended that you purchase your own personalized signs when you can. The office takes care of marketing the WEBREALTY Team. You want to promote yourself. Early on in the business, at a time I only had maybe 5 listings, people would say “I see your signs everywhere!”. That was because my name, and more importantly, photo, were on them. People naturally look when they see a photo on a sign. If anything, you should get a few sign riders with at least your phone number on it, or a combo rider with name and phone number.
3. Supra iBoxes (SUGGESTED) – Otherwise known is a keybox or lockbox, NWMLS universally uses/requires this brand and model of box to be utilized on your listings that have a lockbox. So, as an example, if you were to have someone say they wanted to put their house on the market tomorrow (which is rare) you would be scrambling to get one. The downside is that they aren’t cheap if you purchase them through the NWMLS office brand new. I’m not sure of the current price, but the last I checked they were about $140 apiece. I have found that sometimes you can pick them up online through Ebay, Craigslist, etc. for anywhere from $30 to $80 or so. Anyway, just thought I’d mention it that eventually you will need a lockbox or two, or three or…..!
STEP 11
Join REALTORS®
Becoming a REALTOR® is mandatory to join virtually every real estate firm. In addition to their major lobbying efforts to help protect our industry, they provide lots of education opportunities, designations, and other tools and resources.
We have provided links here for you to learn more about the National Association of REALTORS®, the Washington Association of REALTORS®, and the Thurston County REALTORS® Association. In addition, there is a link to the application to join.
Dues are prorated for the year depending on which month you join. In addition, there are a couple of classes you will need to take. They will let you know when those are available.
Your PhotoLogo Branding
