A. Russell is not part of any franchise.

WDTMTM?     Many of the brokers nationwide and in this area are part of a franchise. Some of the most common franchises are Century 21, Realty World, RE/MAX, Weichert, ERA, Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, Howard Hannah, Real Living. The list goes on and on. Most of these organizations charge a fee to the broker just to use the franchise name. They also charge "franchise fee" and/or a "national advertising fee" on every sale the broker has. These fees range anywhere between 5% and 8%. These fees are usually shared with the agents that work for the broker. So when a broker who is part of a franchise offers you a commission split of 50.0%. , you're actually earning about 46.0%. RUSSELL DOES NOT HAVE OR CHARGE ANY FRANCHISE FEES.

A. Russell does not charge agents desk fees.

WDTMTM?     Some brokers that offer larger commission splits with their agents do so because they charge monthly desk fees. Some of these desk fees range between $300.00 per month to $2600.00 per month. Some go even higher. They pay desk fees each and every month. If you have no sales or six sales your broker doesn't care, because they have gotten their money. You pay desk fees even if you're on vacation. If you can, imagine writing out a check each month to do business from a desk or a private office. Agents paying desk fees are sometimes compared to tenants paying rent. Usually agents are attracted to this set up because they are told they will get to earn 100.0% of their commissions. They also get 100.0% of their bills, like advertising, signage, business cards, marketing materials, some are even charged for their contracts & forms. They usually share in other office expenses like receptionists, personal assistants, utilities and even use of the copy machine. Some are even charged "franchise fees" on top of all this. Many realize too late that they are not making that much money on this system and are bound by contracts with heavy penalties for leaving. The only persons making money are the owners and the broker. It seems so contradictory that real estate agents that educate tenants daily, that is better to own than it is to rent, turnaround and pay desk fees to brokers with "rent-a-desk" philosophies, making themselves tenants in their own real estate careers. RUSSELL DOES NOT CHARGE DESK FEES.

A. Russell pays for all the advertising of your listed properties.

WDTMTM?     First, it means fewer bills for you and you keep more of your money, but that's not all. Secondly, it means you can focus on getting more listings and sales and not worry about your clients complaining that their property is not being advertised enough. Thirdly, your properties have a better chance of selling; you see your properties will be advertised more frequently giving them maximum exposure. The one of the biggest problems an agent has, when he or she is paying for part of the advertising of his or her properties is that the advertising is always limited to the depth of that agents pockets, meaning as an agent acquires more and more properties, the more money is required to keep them all advertised effectively. Usually an agent has a certain amount of money budgeted to advertise their properties. Something else begins to happen also, as each listing gains market time, most agents tend to tighten their purse strings and spend less money advertising a property that looks like it might not sell. This creates a kind of "Catch 22", because as the agent spends less money advertising that property, it gets less and less exposure, eventually causing it not to sell. In a market that is very saturated with properties, market times keep increasing. As the average market time increases, the agents advertising expenses tend to increase too, if they keep up with the advertising to get a property sold. As sellers get more and more knowledgeable about real estate, they understand the importance of exposing their property to get "Top Dollar". These sellers are looking for a company that will provide more advertising and exposure. That means that seller will be looking for an agent that works for a company that pays for advertising. That also means more listings and sales for you. RUSSELL PAYS FOR 100% OF THE ADVERTISING FOR YOUR LISTED PROPERTIES.

A. Russell provides all the residential signage you need.

WDTMTM?     Again, that means you keep more of your money. Russell provides yard signs, open arrows, home for sale arrows, for sale inserts, pending inserts, sold inserts and office number inserts. The only insert Russell does not provide is your own personal number insert. (Not required, but recommended.) For a small investment you may pick up a buyer from one of your properties and increase your income. Many brokers do not provide any signage. They will hand you a catalogue so you can order and pay for what you want. Companies that use those huge posts, actually hire a crew to install and remove yard signs. That runs about $50.00 to $60.00 per sign. Guess who pays for it? You do. If you're lucky the broker will pay for half of it. That's $30.00 per property if it sells or not, and that doesn't include the inserts with your name and phone number or sold. If you don't use the huge post signs, each yard sign can cost you about $30.00 - $35.00. That does not include inserts. The signs don't last very long either; you will most likely be buying a new sign for each new property listed. You won't be appreciated too much for showing up at a seller's property with a faded or rusted sign. Open house arrows depending on the type may cost you between $75.00 and $130.00. RUSSELL PROVIDES ALL RESIDENTIAL SIGNAGE FOR FREE!

A. Russell has a once a year tech fee for ink cartridge use, paper use and technology. It is approximately $100.00.

WDTMTM?     This means you will be able to use Russell's cutting edge technology, color printers, color laser printers, internet based technology, like Toolkit CMA, Russell's Personal IDX Website, Russell's Slide Show Tour, Russell's Form Wizard, print brochures, property flyers, postcards and more. If you have ever purchased an ink cartridge you know that they can get pretty expensive as much as $35.00-$60.00 for some. So for one hundred dollars plus or minus, for a years use is a pretty good deal. Some companies charge a tech fee each month. One company locally charges its agents $50.00 a month if you use the technology or not. Some companies charge a transaction fee covering technology. A local company charges as much as $125.00 per transaction if you use the technology or not. RUSSELL DOES NOT CHARGE A MONTHLY "TECH FEE" OR A "TRANSACTION FEE".

A. Russell does not require you to be in the office for any special amount of hours or days.

WDTMTM?     This means you control your own schedule. At Russell you are a true independent contractor. The company has an independent contractor type philosophy. You control your own schedule and work the hours and the days that you want. This can be difficult for agents who can't run their own business or be their own boss. Many of the large companies in the area have an "employee" based philosophy. They will tell you that you need to be in the office each day and how many days per week you need to work. They will also tell you how many open houses you are required to do and opportunity times you will cover. They will tell you that you need to be at every office meeting and more they will treat you just like an employee. Many will not even consider you if you have any other type of employment. RUSSELL ALLOWS YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY OFFICE HOURS OR SCHEDULED DAYS.

A. Russell does have a Mentoring Program and it does work.

WDTMTM?     Russell has a Mentoring Program that allows you to learn from an experienced agent and at a pace that is based on your needs and schedule. The Mentoring Program is an option, you do not have take advantage this great opportunity, but why wouldn't you? Mentoring really works and actually increases your chances of doing well quickly. Everyone learns at a different rate, you may pick up on something real quickly or you may need more time or assistance to fully comprehend a task or system. Your Mentor will be available for you and go on scheduled appointments with you and will also allow you to go on appointments with him or her schedule. They will be there to assist you in working directly with buyers and sellers completing forms and completing real estate tasks. You will also receive management support. Many of the experienced agents in your office will also help you if you need to ask a question or need assistance it is a very team oriented company. Our experience has shown us that Mentoring really works best when the agent that is being mentored has a vested interest in their learning. Tier one the first level; the agent invests 10% towards the Mentoring Fee and Russell Real Estate Services Pays for 20%. In Tier Two the second level, the investment roles reverse. Tier Three the third level, the agent being mentored invests the full 30%. Each tier is optional and the agent being mentored can opt out after completing any level. RUSSELL DOES HAVE A MENTORING PROGRAM.

A. Russell does have an in company training program and it is FREE.

WDTMTM?     Many companies especially franchises and smaller companies, have no in company training programs. Most have no training whatsoever. Many of the smaller companies do not have enough agents joining them on a regular basis to pay for and have a formal training program. Think about it if ABC Realty (small company) had two agents joining the company a month. (They probably would be licensed at different times each month) The smaller company couldn't hire a trainer to teach two agents per month, if one of them could show up for class the trainer would have a class of one. Most smaller companies will say they have a training program which will consist of the Broker or Manager sitting down with you when they are available to teach you some basic info, providing the Broker or Manager was active in more recent years or had any success in selling. Many of the franchise brokers fall into this same category with a few exceptions, many are also smaller, but they will have a regional training program that all the same name franchisees will send their newer agents. Depending on the franchise these can be very far away. If you are lucky the furthest you will have to go is a county or two away. Oh did I forget to mention that you will probably be paying to take the course and/or materials, as an agent in a franchise you will get this neat catalogue of courses to take, brochures you can use and tools you can order ALL AT YOUR COST. Many of the larger companies will have an in company training program, they will call it their "training academy" or "training school" or something. Many times they will charge you for the training and materials and require you to take 2-3 weeks off from your life to take it. You will pass your state exam and they will tell you that you have to sign up for classes immediately. They start at 8:00am and go until 5:00pm Monday thru Friday for the next two to three weeks. Russell's training is FREE. Russell has an in Company Trainer/Instructor and the course material is provided, all you have to do is show up being prepared to learn. It is centrally located and the courses are held one evening a week for fifteen weeks. Russell understands that you most likely have other commitments and a life. Many of the agents that are getting into the business today have families and other jobs that they transitioning from. You will learn how to work with buyers and sellers, fill out the paperwork, generate and convert leads, hold open houses, follow up on listings and sales, close transactions and more! You will also learn how to take advantage of the Russell systems and tools to start making money right away. RUSSELL HAS FREE TRAINING.

A. Russell does offer advanced training and it is FREE.

WDTMTM?     As answered in the question before this one, many brokers do not offer an in company basic training program. Since many do not have an in company basic training program, many more for sure do not have an advanced training program. Russell uses the "Mike Ferry High Volume Selling" training program for advanced training along with regularly scheduled speakers and in office training and support provided by Active and Experienced Managers and Brokers. Many successful agents in the company also offer workshops on a variety of different topics. Russell also schedules a wide variety of free continuing Ed classes throughout the year. Many of our agents hold special designations and available offer sound advice. One of Russell's greatest strengths is in training its agents and keeping them up-to-date on the changing markets and systems. RUSSELL HAS FREE ADVANCED TRAINING.

A. Russell provides a wide variety of tools to help the agents succeed.

WDTMTM?     There are so many tools provided by Russell it's hard to know where to start. Technology has taken this industry by storm and many brokers can't afford to take on an accelerating technology curve. Each Russell office has a minimum of four computers for agent use. Most of which are networked DELL™ systems on DSL. We have standard software programs like Microsoft Office™ and Industry Specific programs like eNeighborhoods™ and more! Each office has a networked color laser printer or printers enhanced with color inkjet and laser printers at each work station. We also have copy and fax machines, scanners, disk readers, digital cameras and more! Our offices are also set up for wireless connectivity for agents with PDA's and laptops. Many of our programs are internet based so they can be even used at home. We control and program our own website. The agents can access an online member section that includes our forms, new listings, slideshows, virtual tours, and a Personal IDX (Internet Data Exchange) Website that can create leads. We also have an online Do Not Call system that permits agents free access to search phone numbers. Our agents can also use an online transaction management system through our agent owned title company. The agents can also get tax information not just through NORMLS, but through First American Title. We also have an online newsletter that our agents can access through our preferred home warranty provider Home Trust Warranty™. Our agents just recently have gotten free access to ToolKit CMA ™ an internet based program that can make property flyers and Market Analysis Presentations and MORE! We are reviewing different tools and systems all of the time so we can continue to "Bring More to The Table!" RUSSELL PRACTICALLY PROVIDES YOU WITH ALL YOU NEED TO SUCCEED, TOOLS INCLUDED.

A. At Russell you can earn money other than selling just real estate.

WDTMTM?     Russell agents can earn income from selling, completing and processing home warranties. They can earn income from completing and processing title orders. Russell agents can also earn income from purchased shares in an agent owned Title and Escrow company. Russell agents can and do earn income mainly from selling real estate, but other sources are available too! RUSSELL AGENTS CAN AND DO EARN MONEY FROM MORE THAN JUST SELLING REAL ESTATE.

A. Russell does not pay for your classes directly, but they will reimburse you up to $1500.00 for completed classes after you are licensed and selling real estate.

WDTMTM?     You can get into a rewarding career in real estate and all it will cost you is your time and effort, Russell will reimburse you the rest. RUSSELL HAS A TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM THAT WILL PAY YOU BACK UP TO $1500.00

A. Russell provides you with all the forms you need. Many agreements and forms are also available online.

WDTMTM?     It's hard to believe, but some companies actually charge their agents for the paperwork, purchase agreements, listing agreements and forms. RUSSELL DOES NOT CHARGE ITS AGENTS FOR PAPERWORK.

A. Russell pays for all of your standard business cards.

WDTMTM?     Many companies don't even provide business cards for their agents. They hand them a fancy catalogue and say order what you want and don't forget to pay for them too. The problem is, some agents are paying so much for business cards ($50 -$100) they don't want to hand them out. We want you to hand them out all over! Russell has so many business cards printed I don't think they ever stop the printing press. Russell will provide you with our standard business card for FREE. If you would like to upgrade and get a color picture card we will reimburse you what we normally would have paid to get you cards. RUSSELL DOES PROVIDE BUSINESS CARDS FOR FREE!