Q:  OK – I did it!  I got my real estate license and left a job I didn’t really like.  How do I find the right real estate office to join?  I’m a little panicky, and am wondering what to do next.

A:   First, congratulations!  Next order of business: find the right spot to land!  Make a list of the things that are most important to you as a new agent.  Because you may not know what to expect, here are a few things to think about as you look for an office: a great in-house training program, a mentor, market share, a supportive broker.  Who is the dominant player in your market?  Often, but not always, it’s the firm with the largest number of agents … and that may also mean there is more education and support available for you.  Veterans in the business are often open to chatting with “newbies” – take advantage of that generosity to ask them to share what they love about their brokerage.  And good luck in the business!