Joining a Real Estate Team: Pros and Cons Every New Agent Should Know
Why New Agents Think About Joining a Real Estate Team
Starting your career in real estate is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. As a new agent, you’re suddenly responsible for generating leads, learning contracts, building your personal brand, and managing clients—all while trying to figure out how to actually grow your business.
That’s why many new agents wonder if they should join a real estate team. Being part of a team sounds like it could provide structure, support, and mentorship. And in many ways, it can. But before you decide to join another real estate team, it’s important to understand the pros and cons—so you can choose the path that best fits your long-term goals.
At Mantle Realty, we’re a little different. We don’t split people into smaller groups with confusing commission structures. Instead, we treat everyone like they’re part of one real estate team, working together with shared resources and mentorship-without taking away your independence or your income.
The Pros of Joining a Real Estate Team as a New Agent
1. Mentorship from a Team Leader
When you’re brand-new, it helps to have someone show you the ropes. Many real estate teams are led by a team leader who sets the pace, offers guidance, and helps you avoid rookie mistakes. Having access to a leader can give you confidence while you learn the business.
2. Shared Marketing and Social Media
Marketing can feel expensive and overwhelming when you’re just getting started. A team often provides shared branding, social media campaigns, and advertising strategies so you don’t have to do it all on your own. This can save money and give you a jumpstart in your first year.
3. Built-In Support and Collaboration
As a new agent, you’ll have a lot of questions—about contracts, showings, negotiations, and even how to manage your time. Being part of a team means you have people to ask. A supportive working environment with strong team collaboration can take the stress out of your early deals.
4. Professional Development and Continuing Education
Teams often invest in professional development, providing training sessions and accountability meetings. This can help you develop better habits and stay consistent, which is critical when you’re just starting out.
5. Work-Life Balance With Backup Support
Real estate can feel like a 24/7 job, especially in your first year. A team may give you backup coverage for showings or clients so you don’t burn out too quickly. Having someone to lean on can make it easier to maintain work life balance.
The Cons of Joining a Real Estate Team as a New Agent
1. Commission Splits Cut Into Your Earnings
Most teams require you to give up a percentage of your commission in exchange for support and leads. While this may feel worth it in the beginning, over time, those splits can limit how much you actually take home.
2. Less Independence in Building Your Brand
Joining a team often means following their systems, branding, and style. As a new agent, this might feel restrictive, especially if you want to grow your own name and personal brand in the market.
3. Risk of a Poor Team Culture
Not every team has the right organizational culture. Some can feel competitive, disorganized, or focused more on the leader’s success than the team’s success. If employees feels unsupported, it can make your first year even harder.
4. Dependence on the Team Leader
If your team leader is too busy or doesn’t provide consistent mentorship, you may not get the help you expected. As a new agent, this can leave you feeling lost at the very time you need direction most.
5. Culture Fit Challenges
Every team environment is different. If the values, work culture, or team dynamics don’t match your personality, you may feel like you don’t belong. And for a new agent, confidence and belonging are huge parts of staying in the business.
Why Team Culture and Values Matter Even More for New Agents
When you’re starting out, the importance of team culture and values cannot be overstated. Teams perform best when they’re built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to helping each member succeed. A cohesive team environment can be the difference between thriving and becoming part of the statistics, since most new agents leave the business within just a few years.
How Mantle Realty Helps New Agents Without Extra Splits
At Mantle Realty, we believe new agents should have the support of a team without the downsides of traditional structures. That’s why we’ve built our brokerage to function like one big collaborative team:
1. Mentorship Without Barriers
Instead of limiting guidance to a small group, we encourage all agents to share ideas and advice. This way, every new agent has access to experienced professionals who want to see them succeed.
2. One Cohesive Organizational Culture
We focus on building a work culture of support, trust, and growth. Employee engagement is a priority—because when new agents feel valued, they’re more likely to grow their business with confidence.
3. No Extra Commission Splits
Unlike traditional teams, we don’t add another layer of commission splits. New agents keep more of their earnings while still receiving the training, tools, and support they need.
4. Ongoing Professional Development
We provide training, mentorship, and continuing education opportunities designed for new agents. From contract workshops to marketing strategies, we help you build a strong foundation for your career.
5. Work-Life Balance From Day One
We understand how overwhelming your first year can be. By fostering a collaborative culture where agents cover for one another, you’ll find it easier to maintain balance while learning the business.
Should You Join a Real Estate Team?
For new agents, joining a real estate team can sound like the perfect solution. And while there are definite benefits—mentorship, collaboration, and support—there are also drawbacks, especially when it comes to commission splits and independence.
That’s why Mantle Realty takes a different approach. We treat every agent like they’re joining a real estate team, but without the limits, splits, or silos. You get the mentorship, the culture, and the collaboration—without sacrificing your income or your individuality.
Final Thoughts for New Agents
If you’re just starting out in real estate, your first year is critical. Surrounding yourself with the right people, the right culture, and the right support system can determine whether you succeed or burn out. Don’t fall the bright lights of the big box companies agent recruitment process.
Before you join another real estate team, take time to think about what you truly want: professional development, a supportive working environment, and a culture that values people as much as production. At Mantle Realty, we’re here to give new agents all the benefits of team collaboration with a common goal and mentorship-without the frustrating downsides. If you’re ready to see what it feels like to start your career with a brokerage that treats you like family, visit our New Agent Page today.
