When choosing a real estate commission advance company, it’s always good practice to ask questions that will enable you to make a well-informed decision. When it comes to your cash flow and your financial stability, this decision becomes critical. Like with most financial services, there are always several options available. How can you tell the difference from one provider to another?
Here are some key questions you should ask a prospective real estate commission advance service provider:
Q1. Do you perform a credit check?
Some commission advance companies check your credit score. Look for companies that do not check your credit but look at your current pending real estate contract and your overall productivity (including past closed transactions, current pending deals, and listings).
Q2. What fees will you charge for a commission advance?
Fees will vary based on time until closing and the amount of commission you would like in advance. If the commission advance company gives you one lump sum number for your commission advance fee without an explanation of how they arrived at that fee, you can ask for an itemized breakdown of the fees.
Q3. How much real estate experience does your business have?
First, you can ask how many years the company has been in business. Many commission advance companies are startups and are not real estate-specific. They don’t understand the challenges that you have to deal with on a daily basis as a real estate agent. Why deal with companies who don’t understand the real estate industry or your financial needs when you can work with one who truly understands real estate?
Q4. Do you have any limits on your commission advances?
Most commission advance service providers have caps on the amount you can receive in advance (such as a maximum of $10,000, $15,000, or even $25,000). Look for a reputable company that does not limit the dollar amount of commission advances allowed for high-performing agents. You can also inquire about having multiple commission advance contracts open at the same time.
Q5. How long does the whole process take?
In real estate, the need for cash flow fluctuates as the property market picks up and
slows down. Find a company that has an application process that’s fast, easy, and flexible. Once your commission advance request is approved, your funds should be wired to your bank account immediately. Commission advance companies that use real wires are preferable to companies that make transfers via ACH, which can take days to get to you.
If you’d like to learn more about real estate commission advances, please call RealCommissions at 888-610-0003 or email info@realcommissions.com.
