MAIN IMAGE: Berry Everitt – CEO of Chas Everitt International Property Group
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Agents often focus on the commission split when deciding to join a real estate company or move to a different company. However, beyond the immediate financial considerations, there are several vital factors that agents need to think about to ensure their long-term success and personal fulfilment.
We are proud to have many high-performing, experienced agents choosing to join Chas Everitt at the moment, and the following are some of the most important concerns they have raised before making that decision:
#1 What is the leadership of the company like, and what is their vision for the future?
High-performing agents are increasingly drawn to companies where leadership inspires and motivates. Agents should look for companies where leaders act as coaches, not supervisors or record-keepers, and will actively support them to reach their fullest potential.
As in the case of Chas Everitt, leadership should also foster a team spirit that drives everyone toward a common goal – creating happy customers while maximising revenue growth for both agents and the company. Agents need to find out if the company leaders embody this kind of mentorship and if the company vision and their own purpose are in alignment.
#2 What are the company’s core values?
Culture is the backbone of any successful company. Agents thrive when they are part of a company that prioritises creating happy customers, long-lasting relationships, and consistent revenue growth. Working in an environment that fosters accountability, empathy, and ethical negotiation practices is essential, where agents feel supported and empowered to solve problems independently.
A great company culture inspires agents to re-ignite their passion for real estate, just as Chas Everitt has done this year for many talented agents who have told us they were actually on the verge of leaving the industry but have been inspired by our fresh ideas and optimism about contributing to South Africa’s future as a winning nation.
Great real estate companies are not about flashy marketing but innovative thinking and a fresh approach. Agents should be attracted to companies that are constantly evolving, bringing in new talent and experimenting with creative solutions.
#3 Does the company have a track record of delivering on its promises?
Beyond what the leaders say, a company’s history of customer-centricity is vital. Agents should research if the company consistently prioritises customer satisfaction and is open to collaboration to ensure that the customer gets the best possible service – and that the agent is able to retain the relationship with that customer.
In alignment with our values, Chas Everitt places great emphasis on accountability—both individual and corporate. Our approach to negotiation is that it should be principled and rooted in research, facts, and logic rather than emotion or personality. This empowers our agents to achieve balanced outcomes that are satisfactory for all parties, positioning them as trusted advisors in the long term.
#4 How trusted is the company’s brand?
A reputable and trusted brand is invaluable for agents. Working under a brand that customers already recognise and rely on makes building and maintaining strong client relationships easier.
Trust in the brand creates a foundation of accountability, ensuring that both clients and agents can rely on the company to honour its commitments – and to be willing to rectify any mistakes.
This is easier in a group like Chas Everitt, which we run with the agility of a start-up—without complex hierarchies or rigid structures—precisely because we want to encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas and information across all levels and ensure that our leaders are always aware and easily accessible to customers and agents.
#5 How much support does the company provide to help me grow?
Estate agents need more than just a commission—they need access to resources, training and a supportive environment. They should seek out companies that offer real opportunities for professional development and continuous learning, as Chas Everitt does through its world-class Chas Academy.
The group’s membership of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® also gives our agents ready access to the latest international best practices and is another way we are helping them to become adaptable, confident problem-solvers who are able to think on their feet. We trust them to be able to meet any challenges they encounter and create favourable outcomes for their customers.
#6 Does the company have top-tier technology and marketing capabilities?
Agents need tools to succeed in a competitive market, including state-of-the-art technologies and marketing platforms that are beyond what they can afford or maintain independently.
National and international marketing reach is crucial for exposure, and advanced technologies like those Chas Everitt offers enable agents to work more efficiently. Smaller companies may not have the financial resources or the technical know-how to offer these resources, so it’s important to choose a firm that can provide the right tools to stay competitive.
#7 What does the company give back to the community?
Social responsibility is becoming increasingly important in today’s business landscape. Top agents know that being part of a company that values community involvement adds depth to their work and strengthens the company’s overall brand.
Chas Everitt, for example, has the Chas Cares initiative, which operates on both a local and national level. We encourage our franchisees, staff, and agents to get involved in a wide variety of charities and causes, including animal shelters, senior homes, youth shelters, the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), blood drives, school fundraisers, and street and river cleanups.
At a national level, Chas Everitt currently supports the Daybreak House haven for vulnerable babies.
In short, agents should always focus on the bigger picture of what an agency offers them. Inspired leadership, culture, track record, brand reputation, innovation, support and social responsibility will all play a role in enabling them to remain passionate and engaged in their careers and in determining their real success.
