(First published April 24, 2026)
Are you achieving your goals? Do you look forward to a productive real estate day?
Yes? No? Perhaps the following is worth your time.
My name is Dean Desrosiers, and 18 years ago, I made a lucky choice. The brokerage I chose set me on the path to success, and my second brokerage set me on the path to wealth.
Here’s what I’ve learned since.
Choosing your brokerage matters as much today as it ever did. When I started, I had no idea what made a good brokerage. I do now. And a lot of what I’ve learned flies in the face of the marketing noise out there.
I got lucky. My first two brokerages were both outstanding — in different ways. Both were what some would call “traditional,” but what actually made the difference were the owners, the culture, and the support. My second brokerage was so good, I bought part of it.
Forget the labels. Full-service. Virtual. Traditional. These words mean almost nothing. Full-service at one brokerage could mean paperwork processing. At another, it could mean business planning, contract writing support, on-demand broker access, technology, coaching and more. Even within big brands, what agents actually receive can vary enormously. And for what it’s worth, many so-called virtual brokerages have local offices across North America. The label isn’t the offer. The offer is the offer. Individual differences matter.
Your managing broker is more important than you know. It’s hard to overstate this. As a managing(owner) broker myself, I speak with agents every day — business planning, negotiations, contract clauses, legal questions, client concerns, conflict, motivation. It is the most dynamic role in real estate. When did you last lean on yours?
Culture is what you demonstrate and tolerate. Does your brokerage’s culture align with your values? Ours is helpful, professional, collaborative and — yes — fun. We’re also quietly proud to be recognized by lawyers and peers as some of the best contract writers in the BC Interior. Your client respect a well written contract.
A local office matters. More than ever, we work from home. Yet, we’re not selling houses on Amazon. A local office signals commitment to your community. It adds professionalism, implied competence, and personal safety. It’s a place to learn, connect, and work alongside other sharp professionals. Also, working from home isn’t always great for you or your business. (The Remote Work Paradox: Higher Engagement, Lower Wellbeing https://www.gallup.com/workplace/660236/remote-work-paradox-engaged-distressed.aspx, Loneliness and Isolation in the Era of Telework: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges for Organizational Success https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12385570/)
Time is your real differentiator. Most agents have access to the same tools and technology. What separates top performers isn’t the tools — it’s how they utilize time. What systems does your brokerage offer to help you save time and spend it better? (And no, another tech app doesn’t count.)
What you pay is far less important than what you get. Top producers exist at every brokerage. What an agent pays in fees has little correlation to their success — but what they can harness in services and brand value does. The data backs this up. According to the 2026 Swanepoel Trends Report, more top producers work at traditional brokerages than virtual ones. T3 Sixty finds that these agents tend to sell higher-priced homes, generate higher GCI, and serve consumers who still favour trusted, established brands.
Want to learn more? Let’s find out if we’re the right fit for you.
I offer a complimentary business model evaluation and business plan — a real conversation about where you are and where you want to go.
Let’s talk.
Dean