Real Estate Brokerage: A Guide to Success, by Dan Hamilton
Owning your own business is the American dream. Real estate agents or those considering starting their own residential real estate agency should read Dan Hamilton’s new book on how to set up a successful real estate agency.
Real Estate Brokerage: A Guide to Success by Dan Hamilton, Thomson/South-Western, 2006, ISBN 0324379463, Paperback, 380 Pages, $46.95 is written by an experienced real estate broker and instructor. Hamilton readily admits that the brokerage business is going through a permanent change in how they will continue to be financially successful and remain the first point of contact for residential real estate consumers. Admission is one thing, but the author provides insightful and clear ways to redirect his brokerage from compensation, agent recruiting and retention, business planning and development, to effective new-age brokerage marketing. All ideas are explained in great detail, with the added benefit of bold and bulleted topics, for those who want a pick-up and drop-off desktop reference.
Chapter headings include: The Real Estate Industry, The Real Estate Broker and Owner, The Real Estate Brokerage Office, Real Estate Brokerage Operations, Real Estate Marketing, Additional Real Estate Marketing Ideas, Real Estate Brokerage Compensation Structures, Real Estate Brokerage Staff Relations, Real Estate Salesperson Recruitment, Recruitment Interviewing, Real Estate Salesperson Retention, Real Estate Business Development, Real Estate Business Planning, Real Estate Financing a real estate business and Starting a real estate business.
In addition to the chapters there is an appendix and an introduction. The chapters are presented in an easy-to-understand format with review questions to help the reader assimilate the information in the chapter and its relevance. Boxes highlight important definitions or statements. One benefit I particularly liked was the use of relevant definitions alongside the text instead of the usual glossary at the back of the book.
This book is recommended for current managing brokers, real estate franchise operations managers, brokerage educators and trainers, and those contemplating starting their own brokerage.