GET TO KNOW HOMEBASED REALTY®
Your questions, answered.
Straightforward answers about our brokerage, agent independence, professional requirements, support, tools, and the process of joining HomeBased Realty®.
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Our Brokerage & Your Independence
How HomeBased Realty® operates and what agents control.
Is HomeBased Realty® a discount broker?
No. HomeBased Realty® is not a discount broker. We are a full-service real estate sales brokerage. We allow our agents the freedom to negotiate their commissions with their clients.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide business cards and yard signs?
No. Business cards and yard signs are the agent’s expense. Our Agent Virtual Office includes vendors we recommend, but agents are free to use their own vendors.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide leads to its agents?
No. We do not directly provide leads to agents. Our agents are independent contractors responsible for generating their own business, and they should not rely on company referrals. We may occasionally provide referrals subject to a referral fee upon the successful close of escrow.
Our focus is on providing extensive tools and training that help agents generate leads and build their own businesses.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide broker support?
Yes. HomeBased Realty® provides its agents with broker support, supervision, and training in compliance with the California Department of Real Estate. Broker assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
May agents choose their own closing services?
Yes. You are free to select the closing services that best meet your needs and the needs of your client.
Costs & Professional Memberships
Affiliation costs and the memberships agents are expected to maintain.
How much does it cost to join?
HomeBased Realty® has an annual affiliation fee of $399. It may be paid in full for the year, semiannually, or monthly. If paid monthly, the fee is $39 per month. The fee is the same for one agent or a team.
These payment options are offered to provide flexibility and help agents manage their cash flow.
Do I have startup costs?
Yes. As with joining any real estate office, agents have the normal costs of joining a local REALTOR® association and MLS, along with ordinary business expenses such as business cards, stationery, and yard signs. These costs vary depending on the area of California in which you work.
Am I required to join an MLS?
Yes. HomeBased Realty® is a member of numerous multiple listing services throughout California. Agents must join an MLS serving their local area.
Am I required to join the national, California, and local REALTOR® associations?
Yes. HomeBased Realty® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and the California Association of REALTORS®. Our associates must also maintain the required national, state, and local memberships.
How You Can Work
Licensing, transaction volume, office arrangements, and permitted activities.
Is HomeBased Realty® HUD approved?
Yes. HomeBased Realty® is a HUD-approved selling brokerage.
Is there a minimum sales volume?
No. You may complete no transactions, one transaction, or as many transactions per year as you choose.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide office space for agents?
Office space may be available in some areas, but our agents primarily operate from their home offices. If you need an office outside your home, HomeBased Realty® may allow you to open an approved branch office. Agents may also lease virtual office space, which is available in many areas throughout California.
Are agents allowed to conduct property management?
No. HomeBased Realty® does not conduct property management or mortgage loan services. We are a real estate sales company, and our agents may perform listings, sales, and leases.
Do I need a real estate license?
Yes. You must hold a valid and current California real estate license issued by the California Department of Real Estate.
Tools, Training & Transaction Support
Resources designed to help agents operate efficiently and professionally.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide tools?
Yes. We provide our agents with a substantial range of support, tools, and resources. Many are unique to HomeBased Realty®. Visit the Careers and Agent Benefits sections of our website to learn more about the services, tools, and resources available to our agents.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide training?
Yes. We provide agent training through live webinar sessions and maintain an on-demand video library in our Agent Virtual Office.
Does HomeBased Realty® provide a transaction coordinator service?
Yes. We offer our associates an optional in-house transaction coordinator service managed through EscrowUpdate.com. The service integrates with zipForm Plus and DocuSign and is provided by a C.A.R.-certified transaction coordinator. The fee is due upon the successful close of the transaction.
Learn more about the HomeBased Realty® transaction coordinator service.
How to Join HomeBased Realty®
The next step is simple.
How do I join?
Complete the contact form, and we will contact you to schedule a live webinar meeting and presentation. You may also call 1-800-568-8922, extension 6.
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