As a seasoned real estate agent, I love supporting other agents just starting their careers. One of the questions I get asked most often is the key benefits of joining a real estate team versus going out on your own.

Here's what you need to know to make an informed decision that will support your career success:

1. Mentorship & Learning

Joining a team provides mentorship from experienced agents, which can accelerate your learning curve, especially if you’re new to real estate. You can learn effective strategies and avoid common mistakes. On your own, you'll need to self-teach and potentially make more mistakes as you navigate the complexities of real estate independently.

2. Shared Resources

A team often shares resources such as marketing tools, CRM systems, and administrative support, which reduces personal costs. Teams may also have dedicated transaction coordinators or marketing experts. Going solo means you bear the cost of all tools, systems, and support services yourself, which can increase operational expenses.

3. Lead Generation

Teams typically have established systems for generating leads, allowing you to focus on closing deals instead of sourcing new clients. This can lead to quicker closings and a more stable income. As an independent agent, you are fully responsible for generating leads through marketing, networking, and prospecting, which can be time-consuming and uncertain in the beginning.

4. Branding & Credibility

Working under a well-known team can enhance your personal credibility, especially when starting out. The team’s reputation may provide trust and confidence to potential clients. Building your brand from scratch takes time and effort, and establishing credibility might be a slower process without an established reputation to lean on.

5. Income Stability

Teams often provide a more stable income flow because you benefit from shared leads and can close deals quicker. Some teams even offer commission splits that reduce the financial pressure. While you keep 100% of your commission, income can be sporadic, especially as you build your client base, making financial stability harder to maintain in the beginning.

6. Work-Life Balance

Teams can provide more support and delegation, such as sharing clients or offloading administrative work, allowing for better work-life balance. Handling all tasks on your own can result in longer work hours, less personal time, and potential burnout.

Joining a team is often a smart move for newer agents, those seeking a more structured, resource-backed environment, or agents interested in breaking into the luxury market while going solo offers greater independence but requires more self-reliance.