WE'VE GOT ANSWERS

HomeSmart Bay Area is a unique, forward brokerage that is focused on you, the agent, and your success. We implement the excellent tools and the best concepts from both traditional and online brokerages, and combine them together to create a next-generation, agent-focused brokerage that is value-driven and designed for agents to run a successful, efficient and prolific business.

Our 100% Commission model provides our agents with a true 100% payout with minimal fees.

​

We provide an outstanding business framework that allows us to charge our clients the full commission and provide a full-service brokerage experience.

We are progressive when it comes to utilizing best-of-breed technology, online marketing and sales tools, minus the high cost and restrictions. You, as our Associate, pay less to the company, keep more of your commissions and have the opportunity to grow your real estate business.

No. Most importantly, the primary differeniators are:

​

- 100% commission payouts

- We operate 100% online

- No extra charges for E&O, worker's comp, franchise fees, etc.

- Industry leading marketing, sales and transaction tools at no additional cost

- Full broker and transaction management support

- Live online and recorded webinar training

​

If you are already working part or full-time from your home office, yet paying higher fees and splits, then you're paying too much.

​

In terms of dollars and cents (and sense), it means that we are able to bring forth a much higher income stream to our agents via commission rates of 100%, and are able to operate more efficiently.

​

Additionally, we offer best-of-breed sales and marketing tools from our own technology platform while still maintaining lower operating costs.

Generally a traditional brokerage has higher expenses in order to maintain brick and mortar locations. Those expenses are passed down, and sometimes hidden from their agents, in the form of higher commission splits that favor the brokerage, desk fees, technology fees, franchise fees, high monthly fees, etc.

​

Online brokerages take advantage of remote access to office resources, paperless technology and the convenience and lowered expenses of agents working from their home office.

​

Our analysis of the working habits of agents show that the majority who work for a traditional brokerage, already work at least part-time from their home office. Many work full-time remotely already, and rarely, if ever, step into the brokerage office, but continue to pay the higher fees in order for traditional brokerages to maintain their offices.

The only thing we share in common with other online brokerages is that we all use the internet to our advantage, in terms of efficiency, cost-savings, convenience and technology, but the similarities end there.

HomeSmart's marketing and sales tools platforms are designed by HomeSmart and exclusive to HomeSmart brokerages. As such, we are head and shoulders above the rest. The tools we offer are proprietary to HomeSmart. Many other brokerages offer third-party tools and services at high price points, whereas we do not charge extra fees to our agents for the use of the platform.

​

Lastly, other online brokerages may have very limited offerings and support, with outdated or sparse technology and little in terms of resources and expertise. Certain tools are absolutely necessary to be a successful real estate agent.

​

We are unique and progressive in what we bring to the table, combined with the absolute strongest value in the industry.

HomeSmart Bay Area is a full-service, full-commission brokerage. Our Associates offer outstanding customer service and a full complement of real estate analysis, marketing and property data that warrants charging a full commission. Just because we pay 100% to our agents, does not mean that we offer discount rates and services to our clients.

We direct escrow to pay your commissions directly to you on the day of closing. No waiting or delays.

For completed transaction files, you can pick up your check the same day from escrow or have your funds wired directly to your account the day the transaction closes.

In most cases, no. Even though you will keep more of your commissions, we do not want our brand diluted or broad commission discounts affecting our other agents. Agents are prohibited from advertising or marketing commission discounts for themselves or the Company.

​

That being said though, we also understand the need to offer commission reductions, discounts, rebates and credits. In particular, in order to win new business when competing with other agents, repeat clients, friends and family, etc., in which cases adjusting commissions is fine.

​

We simply do not want you marketing yourself or us as a discount brokerage, because we are not.

Yes. We have TCs on contract that understand our systems and will take the document management reigns from you. They will work with your clients, you and the other agent. The TCs will also upload the docs to our TMS and keep you abreast of developments.

​

Charges typically range from $500 per side.

Everything needed has already been sourced and approved for you.

Simply log onto the agent portal, RealSmart Agent(RSA), click on the Online Marketing Design Center tab and you'll be presented with various templates from which you can choose and customize.

Yes. Broker support is available 7 days a week from an industry veteran via email, txt or phone.

​

We are highly supportive of our Associates and want you to succeed, as well as comply with the the laws and regulations of our industry. So we make ourselves available for whenever and whatever questions you have.

Whether you have questions on to handle a particular transaction, what disclosures are needed or just discuss a marketing strategy, we are here to help.

We cover the entire Bay Area. Agents can assists their clients to buy or sell properties throughout all of California. Agents can live and/or do business in all nine Bay Area counties.

We are a local firm based in the Bay Area.

See below for the list of Realtor Associations and MLS providers of which we are active members.

Realtor Associations

- San Francisco (SFAR)

- San Mateo (SAMCAR)

- Silicon Valley (SILVAR)

- Santa Clara (SCCAOR)

- Oakland/Berkeley (OBAR)

- Bay East (BAY EAST)

- Contra Costa (CCAR)

- Marin (MAR)

​

MLS

- San Francisco (SFMLS)

- Bay Area Real Estate Information Services (BAREIS)

- Bay East

- MLS Listings

Associates are required to transfer or join a Realtor association upon affiliation with us. If your association is not listed, you will need to join one on the list.

Not a problem since we do not have minimum sales quotas. If you are having a down month, taking a break or enjoying an extended vacation, we will not ask why. But if you need help, assistance or direction, reach out anytime. We are here to help you in any way to service your clients and grow your business.

No. Our agents join us because they are independent and focused on growing their real estate business and serving their clients. They do not want to be required to come to the office for meetings they do not wish to attend. Our team is always available if and when you need us.

Yes, fanstastic looking, customizable, agent websites are provided free of charge. The sites are Company branded and IDX MLS linked. Additional features, such as blogs and a host of other options, are also available free of charge. Hosting fees are also included. Agents have the option of using or purchasing their own domain names through any registrar of their choice. Your custom domain name is the only fee that is charged through the registrar, such as GoDaddy, etc.

Yes. Our CMAs are linked directly to the MLS and pull data from not only the MLS, but also from other public sources for the most accurate pricing projections. Much more accurate than Zillow's Zestimates and many other providers, and can be customized to fit your comps, property condition, etc.

​

The presentations are fully branded, have numerous pre-written pages, so you won't need to put together the presentation from scratch, and are customizable as well.

​

In addition, we offer our proven method of winning listings when going against competing agents for the same listing.

Yes. Complete, professional, attractive listing presentations are available for our Associates to use on day one. We have a library of pre-written pages to include in the presentations, or you can write and include your own, or both, branded with both company and your personal information. The end resulting presentations are easy for you to produce, and will leave a positive, lasting impression on your clients and win you the business.

Our online agent portal is called RealSmart Agent. The platform was designed in-house and has everything you need to build and maintain your business. It is provided free of additional charges and is among the best systems in the industry. New features are always being added to help you market yourself, win listings and get new clients.

​

- Automated Listings Marketing

- Agent Websites

- Automated Email Marketing

- Social Media Marketing

- Property Websites

- Virtual Property Tours

- Property Announcements

- Personal Marketing

- CRM - Customer Relationship Management

- TMS - Transaction Management System

- TCs - Transaction Coordination

- Complete Online Marketing Design Center

- CMA, Listing & Buyer Presentations

- and More

There are no additional fees. We provide all the services for our Associates free of charge. The agent websites are free as well. Professional printing costs for flyers, etc., are the responsibility of the Associates, though most just print on their home/office printers these days.

Part of our best-of-breed marketing and sales tools include SMART TOOLS. With every new listing, a complete marketing package is automatically created, without any work from the agent.

​

Marketing packages can include property websites, virtual tours (branded and unbranded for IDX), printer-ready flyers, and for some agents looking for that extra SEO juice, videos automatically posted to their YouTube channel(s).

​

In addition, Every time a key event occurs in the life of a listing, agents automatically receive a fresh set of marketing materials optimized for that event. Each unique marketing package arrives right when agents need it during the entire marketing cycle, providing more opportunities to increase engagement and drive new business. Key events include Just Listed, Price Reduced, and Just Sold.

​

The Listing Automation service not only automatically creates a unique marketing package for each major listing event, but also updates previously created marketing materials -- like the single-property website -- when there's a change to the listing. Agents can be confident that their marketing materials across all channels will show the most current and accurate listing data, helping them maintain compliance with real estate advertising laws as well as industry rules and regulations.

No. The Listings Automation Marketing service is paid for by the Company. Additional fees are not charged to the agents.

Yes. Our TMS will inform you of the required documents and disclosures based on the subject property's location. For example, it will not be necessary for you to guess which local disclosures are required, then hunt down those disclosures. We have all the local disclosures available for you on our TMS, including the full SFAR and PRDS library.

Yes. Our CRM is tied directly to our online MDC (Marketing Design Center). This allows you to create marketing campaigns for direct mail, email, drip campaigns, EDDM(every door direct mail), etc. from within the CRM.

There are no additional charges to our Associates.

We pay the fees to provide the system to the agents. Agents pay for the printing costs associated with hardcopy collateral when using a third-party printing service. There is no additional charge if using your own printer. The company does not charge agents to create their marketing collateral.

Property websites, virtual tours and the like are included in the fees the company pays for our agents.

Company leads are passed along to agents as they arrive. Agents who are available at the time and who cover the area where the lead is inquiring will have priority.

Be aware that if you rely solely or primarily on company provided leads, we are not the brokerage for you. We give you a 100% commission split so that you invest in your own business, not the brokerage's.

Yes, we are a streamlined brokerage. All documents are uploaded to our TMS. Some clients may not be tech savvy or may be elderly, etc., in which cases utilizing hardcopies and wet signatures are needed. But overall, our transaction management system and document review are all done online. Transaction documents and disclosures will all be uploaded to our system and held for the required number of years the DRE requires.

Yes. You can create your own automated drip email campaigns to have emails sent to your contact lists over the course of time, without any additional work from you. It is linked to our CRM. We have all sorts of email templates to give you a head-start. Create your own custom content.

No. We are 100% online. We want you to meet clients at the subject property and at their home. Most clients these days prefer this for their convenience, not the agent's.

Possibly. Along with your signed Agreement, submit an explanation of the situation and the current status, i.e. settled, pending ongoing, etc.

​

In addition to our consideration of your circumstance, our insurance company will also decide whether to extend coverage.

Possibly. Please submit an explanation that includes whether the action is pending or settled. Your statement will be submitted to our insurance company who will decide whether to extend coverage.

Yes. Live and recorded webinars area available for all of our tools and services and more. They are simple to learn to use, so even the less than tech-savvy should have no problems.

Yes, but with some restrictions. Contact Us to discuss details if you have a focus in property management.

Yes. Additional E&O charges will apply. They are not restrictively high. Custom quotes from our insurance company may be required.

​

We do not transact business opportunities for reasons of insurance and liability.

The one-time start-up fee of $199.00 is non-refundable.

We do not charge ror E&O, worker's comp, franchise fees, fees for our tools, services or support.

For residential transactions of 1-4 units, you do not pay additional fees for E&O coverage.

​

For 5+ units and commercial sales, an additional E&O fee is usually required and quoted separately.

Coverage is $1,000,000 with a $5,000 deductible.

All agents who are excited about having a 100% commission option and know of agent friends and colleagues who are also looking for a positive change.

Agents who have been affiliated with traditional brokerages that are tired of paying for office space they have little to no use for. Some brokerages have adopted the tech industry's co-working, open office space concepts. These work environments, with little to no privacy, are counter-productive for real estate professionals who are regularly on the phone and meeting with clients and prospects. An open work environment is not conducive for us as type-A sales professionals.

Congratulations on making the "smart" career decision. If you are ready to join, you may take the first step by completing the online form. You will be contacted for next steps and the onboarding process after your application has been reviewed and approved.

General next steps are:

- Review and sign the Agreement

- Transfer your license

- Transfer or join a Realtor Association

- Receive your HomeSmart RealSmart Agent intranet login

- Register for the Introduction to HomeSmart webinar

- Attend the live New Agent Webinar

- Register/View online training for our systems

- Order business cards

- Order listing signs, if bringing over listings

- Setup your website

- Send out announcements via U.S. mail, email, social media, etc.

Send an email through our Contact form and we will contact you. Feel free to include your questions or details of what you wish to discuss.

Yes, but you should review your current company's policy first, as it may have a provision that either prevents you from transferring a listing or buyer transaction while in escrow, or charges a higher split.

Complete the online form to start. There are a few qualifying questions to begin. Next steps will follow. Go to the Join Us Now page.