If You’re Not Meeting the Broker, Pay Attention

When you interview at a brokerage, are you actually meeting the broker — or just the recruiter?

Because that detail matters more than most agents realize.

And if you’re not sitting across from the broker during your interview, you should pause and ask why.

The Interview Is the Most Attention You’ll Ever Get

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

The recruiting process is when a brokerage is trying the hardest.

If the broker isn’t present when they’re trying to earn your business… what do you think access will look like after you sign?

Read that again.

If leadership isn’t visible during the interview, it likely won’t be visible once you’re producing.

Recruiters Don’t Review Contracts

There’s nothing wrong with recruiters or sales managers. They serve a purpose.

But they are not the ones legally responsible for your license.

In Florida, the broker of record carries oversight responsibility. That means when something goes sideways in a transaction — and at some point, something will — the broker matters.

So ask yourself:

If I’m not meeting the broker now, how accessible will they be when I have a real contract question?
When there’s a compliance issue?
When a deal is about to fall apart?

If you don’t see them during the interview process, that’s data.

“I’ve Seen My Broker Once This Year.”

Agents say this more often than you’d think.

Or:

“I wouldn’t recognize my broker in a crowd.”
“They’re based in another city.”
“Everything runs through layers.”

For some agents, that’s fine. They prefer independence.

But if you expect mentorship, oversight, or leadership presence — that structure won’t magically change after onboarding.

The interview reveals the operating model.

What This Really Signals

If you’re interviewing with someone other than the broker, it may indicate:

• The broker oversees multiple offices.

• Leadership is hands-off.

• Support is tiered through management layers.

• Access is filtered.

• Oversight is scaled, not personal.

Again — not automatically wrong.

But very different from a brokerage where leadership is present, visible, and directly engaged.

You need to decide which model fits you.

Add This to Your Broker Interview Checklist

When reviewing your broker interview checklist for real estate agents, include this question:

“How often will I interact directly with the broker?”

And don’t accept a vague answer.

If the response is:

“You can always submit a question.”
“We have a system for that.”
“Your team lead handles most of it.”

That’s structure.

If the response is:

“I review contracts personally.”
“My door is open.”
“You’ll see me in the office regularly.”

That’s accessibility.

Very different experiences.

Leadership Visibility Is a Culture Indicator

Broker presence sets the tone for:

• Accountability

• Standards

• Compliance

• Responsiveness

• Confidence

If leadership is distant, culture often becomes agent-driven instead of broker-led.

And that’s fine — if that’s what you want.

But don’t confuse autonomy with support.

The Hard Question

If you’re not meeting the broker during your interview, ask yourself:

Why not?

If they’re too busy to sit down with someone considering joining their brokerage, how busy will they be when you need guidance on a complicated Florida contract?

You’re choosing the person responsible for your license.

That decision deserves more than a recruiter meeting.

How CrossView Realty Approaches This

At CrossView Realty, we believe broker accessibility isn’t a bonus feature — it’s foundational.

Agents across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Orange Park, and throughout Northeast Florida interact directly with leadership.

Not once a year.

Not through layers.

Directly.

Because real estate is too detailed — and too regulated — for distance.

If you’re evaluating brokerages and want to experience what visible leadership actually looks like, we’d welcome the conversation.

👉 https://www.joincrossviewrealty.com/
📞 904-503-0672

No pressure. Just clarity about who you’re aligning with.

FAQs

Q: Is it a red flag if I don’t meet the broker during my interview?
A: It’s not automatically a red flag, but it’s an important indicator of how leadership is structured and how accessible they may be later.

Q: Should I insist on meeting the broker before joining?
A: If broker accessibility matters to you, yes. Your interview experience should reflect your future working relationship.

Q: Does broker visibility impact agent success?
A: Leadership presence often impacts accountability, culture, and compliance support — all of which influence performance.