Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do you need an active Real Estate License to join Connect Realty?
A. Yes. To insure the professional image and integrity of Connect Realty and its Associates, all Associates must have a real estate license. Within 30 days of application, licensees must transfer or activate their license sponsorship to Connect Realty. Currently unlicensed Associates must become licensed by March 31st, 2008. Unlicensed Associates will be unable to earn commissions, residuals, or referral fees.
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Q. In what ways is Connect Realty similar to offerings from other industry companies?
A. Various aspects of Connect may vaguely resemble the best pieces of traditional and non traditional real estate firms. Connect Realty has reinvented and refined how real support services, marketing, technology and education is delivered to real estate agents and their clients and supercharged how real estate agents are paid. Choice is a beautiful thing…if Connect is right for you – welcome. If not, no worries – good luck, stay put.
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Q. What products and services and going to be available for the listing and buying agents?
A. Connect Agents have 24/7 access to an ever-growing library of:
• Transaction Management Tools
• Brochure Templates
• Flyer Templates
• Ad Templates
• Blog Templates
• Drip Email Campaigns
• Contact Management Systems
• Targeted Mailing Campaigns
• Buyer Guides
• Listing Presentation
• CMA Presentation
• Cchat – online team chat
• Social Networking Forums

We’ll be sharing wisdom, training and education on these topics and more:
• Bright Ideas
• Simple Smart Strategies
• Principles Of Success
• Communication Arts
• Psychology, Technology, Webology Made Practically Simple
• Deepen Relationships
• Solutions – Resolutions – Evolutions
• Laws Of Attraction
• Confident Persuasion
• Seductive Odd Angle Conversation
• Web 2.0 – Blogs, Forums, Cchat, Ecards, Social Communities
• Team Building
• Leadership
• Business Planning
• Permission Marketing/Word Of Mouth Marketing/Buzz Marketing
• Listing – Approach/Discovery/Presentation/Service/Referrals
• Buyers – Approach/Discovery/Solution/Service/Referrals
• Attracting ~vs~ Chasing
• More Surprises

Q. Will Connect Realty offer leads to their agents? If so, how will these leads be distributed?
A. Yes. Good news - all inbound listing calls and internet leads created by listing associates will be directed to the listing associate – fee free. More good news - Other inbound leads will be assigned to qualified Connect Associates. The referral fee will be 25% of the gross commission and the Connect Associates will receive their usual commission split on the balance. Qualifications necessary to receive inbound leads will be published before December 31st.
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Q. Do I have to maintain a brick and mortar office to participate with Connect Realty?
A. No.
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Q. Can I keep my current office or will I have to eliminate it?
A. It’s up to you. What ever suits you best.
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Q. When will we have access to signs, riders and business cards and who pays for these items?
A. Signs and business cards can be ordered from approved vendor listed at ConnectRealty.com. Marketing materials are an Associate investment.
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Q. Do I have to get marketing materials approved by Connect Realty corporate?
A. Yes. This is to protect the brand image for all Connect Associates.
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Q. What level of autonomy do you Associates enjoy?
A. The beauty and benefits of the real estate business – independence and freedom. Naturally it’s expected that Connect Associates conduct themselves in a professional, service oriented, consumer friendly and ethical manner. To preserve the professional image and brand integrity for all Associates, certain logical limitations will be enforced regarding the use of Connect Logos and marketing language (Details will be included in the forthcoming Policy & Procedure Manual). Connect Realty is first and foremost a real estate company whose primary focus is listing and selling real estate, delighting clients and helping hardworking real estate agents build a professional, profitable business. When recruiting, Associates are encouraged to focus on the positive benefits of new world tools, rich support systems, super simple technology and super charged compensation benefits. Care should be taken to refrain from tarnishing the luster of the Connect brand by promoting with “get rich quick”, “become a millionaire”, “multi-level marketing” styles of communication and promotion. Associates are encouraged to use any of ConnectReatly.com web-copy for marketing, promotions and recruiting. Associate versions of website and other forms promotional marketing that is subject to review and approval.

Wow. That’s a long winded way to say, we want you to have the freedom and independence to create wild success, we will work hard to help you realize your most important aspirations…we won’t allow Associates to dilute the Connect Realty brand or dull the luster of Connect Realty.
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Q. Can I control how and when a listing is posted to the MLS?
A. Yes within the Rules & Regulations of your MLS.
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Q. Is Connect Realty scheduled for an IPO?
A. The Connect Realty business model has universal appeal and application. It’s anticipated that an IPO would be the logical method for raising the financial capital necessary to launch internationally. Our goal is provide Associates with an opportunity to recruit and sponsor team members’ world wide. When and if would be pure speculation. It would be improper for Connect Realty and Associates to broadcast plans for an IPO.
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Q. How do the stock options work for the initial sales force? How long will the stock options be available?
A. When and if Connect Realty goes public, appropriate and permissible disclosures regarding information and opportunities will be made available in a timely fashion.
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Q. As a Broker-Associate do all personal transactions have to be under Connect realty?
A. Yes
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Q. Can Brokers maintain other affiliations including real estate and mortgage products?
A. Yes, provided that all proper legal and compliance requirements and disclosures are adhered to, Associates may maintain their affiliations with ancillary service providers. Keep in mind, Connect Realty is first and foremost a real estate company. Recruiting Connect Associates to participate in or join other business organizations is unacceptable.
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Q. Is there an opportunity for a Mortgage Broker to become a "preferred lender".
A. Connect Realty is first and foremost a real estate company. There are no immediate or midterm plans for Connect Realty to enter the mortgage or affiliate with preferred lenders.
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Q. Do you only receive commissions/residuals if you are active (what happens if you don’t have any business for several months)?
A. Correct. You must have an active license to be a Connect Associate. Connect Associates are not penalized if there is a gap in production. Other than a lack of commission income, nothing happens if you don’t have any business for several months. Good news, you do receive any residual income generated from your sponsored colleagues whether you have personal production or not. Cool huh?
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Q. Can a person join by buying an existing position within an organization?
A. No.
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Q. Is my position willable and transferable?
A. No. When an Associate leaves Connect Realty sponsored Associates roll upward.
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Q. Are there any production quotas for Connect Associates?
A. No quotas. Yes - simple expectations – conduct business with a service orientation, professional, ethical, and honest behavior and practices. Thanks.
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Q. Will we have to enter the listing into Connect Realty MLS and our local MLS.
A. You will only need to submit your listing information to your MLS.
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Q. Will we maintain our existing Supra Key systems.
A. Yes.
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Q. How are you legally paying non licensed individuals override commissions under the California DRE requirements?
A. We won’t. To insure the professional image and integrity of Connect Realty and it’s Associates, all Associates must have a real estate license. Within 30 days of application active licensees must transfer their brokers and inactive licensees must return to active status. Current unlicensed associates must become licensed by March 31st, 2008 to remain associated with Connect Realty. While unlicensed, Associates will not earn commissions, residuals or referral fees.
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Q. Are we able to recruit agents all over the world?
A. Sorta. Anywhere Connect has a designated Connect Broker and board membership, Associates can recruit and sponsor. We will grow nationally and internationally as quickly and prudently as possible.
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Q. How are compliance requirement handled i.e. file review, storage etc?
A. Connect Realty will provide compliance services through State Brokers and headquarters support staff. Details on the flow of business will be provided at or before official launch.
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Q. Why is it worth joining Connect Realty for an agent who also transacts mortgage loans and has to stop producing loans?
A. It all depends on the individual. If you feel you can earn more with Connect, welcome aboard. If not…no worries, stay put.
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Q. The nature of Real Estate is VERY technical, how can all of the legal and business aspects of a real estate transaction be handled by the internet when it is generally difficult to do it in person within a Brick and Mortar operation?
A. OK…I hope this doesn’t sound insulting. Our 28 years of experience leads us to believe that brick and mortar has no effect on the quality of a transaction, only the bottom line. Smooth, professional transactions are created by professional, well trained, well supported real estate agents. Connect Realty will provide leadership, review, and consistent, systematic support services and compliance oversight required to deliver professional, referral worthy results. Associates who conduct their business in an inappropriate, unprofessional or unethical manner will be terminated.
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Q. Is this a pyramid scheme or an MLM?
A. No. Sigh. The Connect model is vaguely similar to traditional brokerage only better for the agent. In a traditional brokerage model you have three or four tiers of compensation. Here’s what I mean. In the traditional model, the commission generated is split with the broker, that’s tier one. If there is a sales manager, they usually receive an override commission based on the agent’s production, that’s tier two. The franchise receives a franchise fee, that’s a tier three. The fourth tier...single level residuals, ie., Exit Realty, Keller Williams Realty, Avalar, etc. The residual income compensation concept was introduced, legitimized and popularized by Keller Williams and Exit Realty. It’s been perfected by Connect Realty, where Associates keep more money.
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Q. What are the details of the Mentor Program i.e. qualifications, obligations, etc. Is it based on personal recruits?
A. Specific experiential qualifications for mentors and mentor applications will be posted on-line by January 1st. Generally speaking, Mentors qualifications will not be based on recruiting. The focus will center around successful listing, selling, closing and life experiences, familiarity with technology and a demonstrated passion for teaching and sharing.
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Q. Are there any fees deducted from the 5% residual before payout?
A. No. No fees charged, no deductions taken, no penalties imposed. Your residual is friction free, as it should be.
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Q. Is any part of 5% + 5% + 5% residual income deducted from agent commissions?
A. No. All residual income is paid directly from the Connect Realty company dollar. In appreciation for your hard work and recruiting efforts, we’re happy to reward you.
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Q. Please explain the company’s termination policy? Is it unilateral or bilateral?
A. It’s unilateral. Either party may terminate without penalty or cause. Full details will be included in the forthcoming Policy and Procedures Manual.
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Q. Does Connect Realty charge any monthly fees?
A. No monthly fees. No quarterly fees. No administrative fees. No advertising fees. No fee-fees.
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Q. Can an Associate customize their personal web sites or create their own?
A. Yes. We encourage you to use any of the web copy at ConnectRealty.com. To preserve the professional image and brand integrity for all Associates, certain logical limitations will be enforced regarding the use of Connect Logos and marketing language (Details will be included in the forthcoming Policy & Procedure Manual). Connect Realty is first and foremost a real estate company. The primary focus of Connect Realty is listing and selling real estate, delighting clients and building a professional, profitable business. When recruiting, Associates are encouraged to focus on the positive benefits of new world tools, rich support systems, super simple technology and super charged compensation opportunities. Care should be taken to refrain from tarnishing the luster of the Connect brand by promoting with “get rich quick”, “become a millionaire”, “multi-level marketing” styles of communication and promotion. An Associate version of website and other promotional marketing is subject to review and approval.

Wow. That’s a long winded way to say, we want you to have the freedom and independence to create wild success, we will work hard to help you realize your most important aspirations…we won’t allow Associates to dilute the Connect Realty brand or dull the Connect Realty luster.
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Q. Are you selling franchises to brokers in different states?
A. Connect provides all the benefits of owning your franchise without franchise fees.
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Q. I own my own domain name. How do I redirect it to my personal web site?
A. You do not actually redirect a domain name in this context, you redirect a web site. Consequently, you must have a web site defined to redirect it to your personal replicating web site. With some web servers it is possible to actually specify a different URL in the definition of the site (i.e., you do not need any content). On other servers, it may be necessary to have a single page which doesn’t display any content that redirects to another web site immediately. In either case, you will need to consult with your individual hosting company or web developer to accomplish this.

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