The 6 Biggest Mistakes LA Real Estate Agents Make When Choosing a Team (And How to Avoid Them)
Why choosing the wrong real estate team in Los Angeles can cost you years of income and career growth
Los Angeles ranks among the most competitive real estate markets in the United States. With over 40,000 licensed agents competing for deals, success isn't just about talent—it's about making strategic career decisions that accelerate growth rather than stall it.
The harsh reality? Most LA real estate agents don't fail due to lack of ability. They fail because they join the wrong team or remain trapped in brokerages that promise mentorship and leads but deliver neither. This comprehensive guide reveals the six critical mistakes agents make when choosing a real estate team in Los Angeles, plus proven strategies to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Obsessing Over Commission Splits Instead of Net Income
The Commission Split Myth That's Costing Agents Thousands
New agents consistently make this career-limiting mistake: choosing teams based solely on commission splits. They think, "If I keep 90% at this Los Angeles brokerage, I'll earn more money." The problem? You're keeping 90% of zero transactions.
High commission splits mean nothing without consistent deal flow. What matters is net income—the actual money in your bank account after expenses and splits. A 60/40 split on $500,000 in annual sales nets you $300,000. A 90/10 split on $100,000 in sales nets you $90,000.
The Real Numbers That Matter
Successful LA real estate teams focus on conversion systems, not splits. For example, proven accountability systems show that 198 two-minute conversations with qualified prospects virtually guarantees a first transaction. Without this structure, agents spend months chasing unqualified leads without converting.
Consider this case study: A 21-year-old agent joined a team focused on systems over splits. Instead of obsessing over commission percentages, they focused on meaningful conversations. Result? $150,000+ annual income within 2.5 years and a clear path to listing specialist status.
Mistake #2: Joining Teams Without Built-In Accountability Systems
Why "Freedom" Without Structure Leads to Failure
Many Los Angeles real estate agents join teams attracted by promises of culture, training, or lead generation. However, when examined closely, these teams lack genuine accountability. No one tracks your activities, follows up on appointments, or ensures you're executing revenue-generating activities.
This false "freedom" becomes a trap. Without accountability, agents lose momentum, drift aimlessly, and eventually burn out. Statistics show that agents with structured accountability systems are 65% more likely to achieve their first-year income goals.
What Real Accountability Looks Like
Effective real estate teams in LA implement systematic tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs):
Minimum 20 meaningful conversations per week
Two-minute conversation quality standards
Appointment booking and show rates
Lead follow-up consistency
Pipeline management
Teams using CRM systems like Follow Up Boss can track these metrics and provide coaching when agents fall behind. This isn't micromanagement—it's professional development that collapses learning curves from years to months.
Mistake #3: Believing Social Media Marketing Builds Real Estate Careers
The Instagram Illusion Plaguing LA Agents
Los Angeles agents frequently fall victim to the social media success myth. They believe posting aesthetic property photos on Instagram or creating TikTok content will generate qualified leads and build their careers. While digital marketing has value, social media likes don't translate to commission checks.
Real estate success stems from direct conversations with motivated buyers and sellers. These conversations uncover needs, build trust, and create opportunities. The most successful LA agents prioritize relationship building over social media metrics.
The Conversation-First Approach
Top-producing teams establish clear milestones: new agents must book two qualified buyer consultations within their first 30 days. This builds confidence through real client interaction, not digital validation. Agents learn to identify motivated prospects, conduct needs assessments, and present solutions—skills that directly impact income.
Mistake #4: Accepting "Buyers Only" Team Positions
How Buyer Agent Pigeonholing Limits Career Growth
Most Los Angeles real estate teams assign new agents exclusively to buyer representation while reserving listings for experienced agents. This creates a problematic career ceiling. Agents become permanent "showing agents" without learning the full spectrum of real estate services.
Balanced exposure to both buyer and seller representation is crucial for long-term success. Listing agents typically earn higher commissions and build stronger referral networks. Teams that provide both opportunities from day one give agents complete business education.
Building Complete Real Estate Expertise
Agents need comprehensive market knowledge to serve clients effectively:
Buyer representation and consultation skills
Listing presentation and marketing strategies
Comparative market analysis (CMA) preparation
Negotiation tactics for both sides of transactions
Market trend analysis and pricing strategies
This complete skill set positions agents as trusted advisors rather than limited-service providers.
Mistake #5: Falling for "Big Brand" Brokerage Promises
The Reality Behind Major Brokerage Marketing
Large brokerages market themselves with promises of mentorship, leads, and support. The reality often disappoints. At major brokerages, agents become numbers in a system. Promised mentorship rarely materializes beyond initial onboarding. Lead generation is minimal or non-existent. Training consists of generic, outdated content.
Technology and Support Gaps
Many established brokerages operate with outdated technology stacks that hinder rather than help agent productivity. Modern real estate teams utilize integrated systems:
AI-powered lead generation (like Ylopo)
Advanced CRM platforms (Follow Up Boss)
Automated follow-up sequences (Maverick AI)
Real-time market analytics
Mobile-optimized client management
Mistake #6: Letting Ego Prevent Growth Through Mentorship
Why Solo Success Takes Three Times Longer
Pride prevents many talented agents from joining structured teams. They prefer maintaining complete autonomy rather than accepting guidance and accountability. This ego-driven decision extends their learning curve significantly.
Skills that take six months to develop within a proven system require three years to learn independently. This isn't opinion—it's documented through agent success tracking across multiple markets.
The Mentorship Advantage
Structured mentorship provides:
Proven scripts and conversation frameworks
Market-specific strategies for LA neighborhoods
Client objection handling techniques
Transaction management best practices
Referral generation systems
What Top LA Real Estate Teams Actually Provide
The Elements of Career-Accelerating Team Structure
Successful Los Angeles real estate teams distinguish themselves through:
Consultant-First Philosophy: Training agents to serve client needs rather than push transactions. This approach builds long-term relationships and referral networks.
Reverse Prospecting Methods: Qualifying leads upfront to eliminate time waste on unqualified prospects. Agents learn to identify motivated buyers and sellers quickly.
Systematic Lead Nurturing: Large, consistently nurtured lead databases (14,000+ prospects) maintained through AI automation ensure consistent opportunity flow.
Cultural Foundation: Environments built on creativity, collaboration, optimism, and growth rather than competition and ego.
Proven Success Metrics: Documented track records showing specific agent progression from rookie to six-figure earners.
Questions to Ask Before Joining Any LA Real Estate Team
Due Diligence Checklist for Agent Success
Before committing to any team, ask:
What specific accountability systems exist?
Can you provide documented success stories with timelines?
What technology platforms do you use?
How do you generate and distribute leads?
What ongoing training and mentorship is provided?
Do new agents get listing opportunities?
What are the actual first-year income expectations?
Your Next Steps: Choosing the Right Path Forward
The Los Angeles real estate market rewards agents who make strategic team decisions over those who chase commission splits or believe they can succeed in isolation. Success requires mentorship, accountability, proven systems, and balanced opportunities.
Don't waste years learning lessons that proven teams have already mastered. Your career progression depends on choosing teammates who are invested in your success, not just collecting desk fees.
Ready to accelerate your LA real estate career? Schedule a confidential consultation to explore how the right team structure can transform your income potential and professional trajectory.
Justin Borges is the Team Leader of The Borges Real Estate Team at eXp Realty, serving clients throughout Los Angeles County and the San Gabriel Valley. As a trusted real estate consultant and recognized probate specialist, Justin helps homeowners, buyers, and investors make confident decisions—whether it’s navigating probate, selling a family home, or evaluating investment and development opportunities.
