It doesn't matter where you are, it just matters how you use your time. 

I've worked from home for over 20 years... but I was not a new agent. In some states if you're not a broker, you might be required to work from an office where you can be supervised by the broker in charge. How does one work from a cafe and be serious about building a business?

I do NOT recommend working from home as a new agent Chris Marston and on top of that I recommend getting an assistant ASAP. Having your own office will give you more confidence in yourself and an assistant will help you stay organized and focused. There was no way I could aford either when I started out but I jumped in with both immediately and it paid off big time.

There should be common areas and a conference room for your use. BUT, if your pockets are deep maybe you want an office. It's all personal choice

If you are self-disciplined and self-motivated you can go on your own, however it may make better sence to have a mentor and office space at lease for the first 6-months to a year. Everyday something new happens in real estate ... you need to be "connected" so you can listen, learn, and gain wisdom. Wishing you the BEST in whatever you decide.

It all depends on how self disciplined you are.

Chris - this is a question that depends a lot on how you have operated in the past as well as your plan for the future as a real estate professional.  Not only will you be interviewing with various brokers and office managers.  You should do the same.  What will they offer you?  Not every office charges a desk fee.  Check how the office "set up".  Are you able to meet with existing agents in the brokerage?  Do you know of any people who have been in that office in the past and what do they have to say?  Be sure to treat such conversations in light of the overall picture of the scenario.  Is there a training program after you receive your license?  A mentorship?  How does it work?  Lots of questions...likely too many to be answered here.  Hopefully you can glean something that is most important to you.  Again, good luck.

I do not waste my time going to the office unless i have to. Why to spend your time and money? What do you expect to achieve by being in the office daily? 

Where ever you'll regularly start work 5-6 days per at the same time, be productive and avoid distractions. It's a personal decision.

That depends on you as it is your personal preference.

In an office, especially if that is where your mentor works, allows you to get to know other agents.  You also have a greater chance of learning things from the various vendors (escrow, title, etc.) that stop in.  One of the biggest benefits of an office as a new agent, is it FORCES YOU to get up, get dressed and go to work!  Plus it separates you from the distractions of your home.

Once you're experienced, then you can look at a full-time home office.  There are more distractions there, but you do have more freedom.  Plus, you do have the "home office deduction" that you can talk to your accountant about.

I work out of my house.  If it wasn't for being a committee chairman for 3 years at the association, on a second committee for two years, regularly going to and putting on events for the association and being on the Board of Directors, I wouldn't know a soul in the area.  Having been the YPN Committee Chair has actually gotten my client's offers accepted because the agents met me at those events.

Of course, there are the negatives of working at an office, you do have to put up with the "dead weight" agents that I like to call "Anchor Agents."  Why that term, because like a ship's anchor they will try and hold you down.  They are there more to socialize than work, they will constantly tell you "oh that won't work" (which by the way means "it didn't work FOR THEM") and will generally try and keep people from succeeding because it puts too much of a focus on their lack of success.  I've seen it since my folks first got licensed in the 80s an I was knee high to a grasshopper.  There were agents in the back of the office who always "had a cough" because they were chugging Dayquil because of the alcohol content.  I've always seen the anchors try to hold my parents down.  They shook them off and out produced every agent at several top companies and were recruitted every other year by other top offices.  Heck, you don't get picked by the United States Navy to be their sole area representative at random!

In an office, you will be surrounded by real estate professionals who can answer your questions that would otherwise go unresolved at home or the coffee shop.

Your broker should also offer training, in the office, that will help you to make the transition from someone who passed the real estate licensing exam to a successful real estate agent who can make a decent living.

Chris,

It really depends on your way of doing business.  Some people fare better in an office and some do better at home.  It is strictly a personal choice.  A

The Energy, activity, contacts and tips you will gain in a busy office is very valuable.

I own two office buildings and still find it valuable to rent office space at two KW offices.

Working from home takes a discipline, a quite space and no one irrupting you during said time you are working. Working form an office is not a must anymore, i can work from where ever i am with technology. NEXT why pay for office space? chose a broker that includes office space at no cost. Interview with big, small and medium. both independent and franchise, ask what they charge and what you get

It depends. In our state I believe a broker has to have a space for a newly licensed agent to work. It doesn't necessarily have to be an office. Second will depend on how self disciplined you are. I have an office for my assistant and I have a desk in that office. However, I primarily work from home. I don't have a lot of distractions. My issue is pulling away from work when I'm home. It is hard to do.

IF there are a lot of agents working out of your broker's office, it can be a good place to be in the beginning to pick up tips (& potentially leads!).  I see less and less "real" work being done in the office though and know that i prefer working from home (less water cooler distractions!).  More so than office space, I hope you have a mentor. 

Cost vs value vs your discipline to work from home.

I think as a brand new agent, working in a brokerage is important. You will learn a lot from other agents and the broker, and get known. You will also have easier access to company resources, technological and otherwise.

Once you are established, though, working at home has a lot of benefits (ability to concentrate without lots of background noise or interruptions, always have first dibs on your printer/technology, ability to have private conversations, etc)

In our state your license has to hang in a brokerage for the first 3 years. Then you can open your own brokerage.  

Whether you work from home or not is your choice, but as a new agent I highly recommend that you work in an office that offers training. You will need it.  Get trained first then decide if you can produce by working from home.

The "mix" is where it all takes place....seek the mix

If you do not possess the discipline to work from home, don’t! Absolutely get a mentor and discuss where to work from

we have a sticks and brick office.... and there are individual offices within our suite....  every office in our town is located in a buiding.... 

there are many agents who work out of their home....but they need to be disciplined....  I like the fact that I've always worked from a building with a private office.... I was the manager of every office I worked at....

Here's the deal. The majority of brokers will take you on (even those who promise 'We got train'n") then throw you into the deep end. If you have not drowned within 2 years, then they pay attention to you. Did you know 90 percent of newbies never see their 2nd year anniversary.

Did you also know you learn by doing, and earn by completing. You do neither warming a stool in a train'n room.

My suggestion:

1. Get a copy of 'Get on the Right  Track." Use the guide within to develop your resources, skills and experience lists.

2. Make a business plan (bp). A real one that defines your business, ideal customer. who they are, where they are and how you will reach them, and don't forget that income goal.

3. In the BP, show how your skills, resources and experience will make #2 come alive.

4. Only consider the brokerage that assures to get you engaged in a transaction within 30 days.

Now to answer your question:

To achieve the above, you must plan to be in office for the first six months. IF the brokers intends to assess a fee for those 6 months you should see the RED flag waving. The broker is a PREDATOR. When you learn to pedal, then take the training wheels off.

Where will you meet clients? Are you representing Buyers? With Buyers you need a conference room, meeting at starbucks is not okay to talk deeply about personal life plans. If only doing sellers you could meet at their house to do listing presentations. 

Chris is you are a focused guy who stays on track you may very well be able to operate from a home office. If you need more support from other agents and your broker then an office would be wise. Sometimes brokers do offer 'bullpen' like spots for agents. We did when we had a office full of agents.

Everybody is different.  I never worked from the real estate brick and mortar. I have always, for the past 16+ years worked from home.  I am not one for drama and distractions that go with working in an office. Hopefully, the brokerage offers training that you can attend but that would not require you to have a desk and pay the associated fees.  Botton line, I cannot say what is best for you. 

There are floating desks for free. A dedicated desk costs around $200 or $1000 for an office. Phone is extra.

Cell phones, internet virtually stop people going into a realtor office looking for a realtor. You go there find a bunch of agents who have nothing to do but gossip. Many agents change office because of the cultural.

I always prefered to have office space. It worked for me.

Keeep your overhead to a minimum and do not fall prey to an oversized ego needing a plush office. Walk-ins are a thing of the past

Office space!

I think working among busy agents may be beneficial for a new agent.

In my rural market office space is a must, but I know lots of successful agents who work from home.  We get a ton of walk in traffic, have a nice conference room for closings, support staff.... worth it to me.