Are you receiving Inman’s Broker EdgeMake sure you’re subscribed here.

Broker Spotlight: Barb Betts, The RECollective

Name: Barb Betts 

Title: Broker, owner, CEO 

Experience: Selling real estate since 2003, team leader since 2007, licensed broker since 2017, opened RECollective in October 2017. 

Location: Headquarters in Long Beach, California with branches in Yorba Linda, California and Palm Springs, California

Brokerage full name: The RECollective

Team size: 14 agents, 3 staff 

Transaction sides: 2021: 142 closed sales, YTD as of September 2022: 128 closed sales

Sales volume: 2021 sales volume: $130 million, YTD as of September 2022: $111 million

What are 3 reasons you should be in the Broker Spotlight? 

I believe I am unique. I believe I can inspire others that brokerage can be done differently. That you don’t have to be the big brand or have the big name to be successful. 

Advertisement

What’s your top prediction for 2023? 

It’s the professionals’ market. Clients are actually going to care about who is helping them with the largest transaction they are going to have in their life. We need to think differently. We need to add to our marketing plans and lead generation plans. What worked in 2022 is not going to be enough for 2023 and beyond.

The agents who are pros, show up to get educated, have a foundation of working relationally, show up on social media, have systems to ensure they are delivering great client experiences and talk to as many people as they can about real estate on a daily basis are going to thrive. There is opportunity in this market, but you are going to have to work hard to go find it. 

Tell us about an epic fail you’ve experienced since you’ve been a broker.

Thinking that I could start my brokerage with the agents on my team and function as a team. And then when I brought on additional agents they could be on a “different” service plan and comp plan. That failed miserably.

Quickly the new agent realized that she was not getting all the benefits and services that the other agents were. We quickly focused and realized that one model for all is the way you create happy agents and an infectious culture.

What makes a good leader? 

Humility. Being able to walk in their shoes. Admit when you’ve succeeded and admit when you have failed, or done wrong. Being transparent with my agents about the good, bad and ugly of our business has been super helpful to let them know that they are not alone. That even veterans have bad days, and bad transactions.

Too many brokers try to be perfect and present this perfect front to their agents and it’s just not reality. 

What’s one thing you wish every agent knew? 

That this business is all about relationships. Relationships with your clients and customers, and relationships with others in the industry, especially agents in your own community. If agents are not making working relationally the foundation of their business, they are working too hard.

Relationships have sustained my career for 20 years and I could not imagine doing business any other way. Making relationships the foundation and priority of your business ensures that you are never starting over, ever! It’s something that if done right and systematized you can continue to rely on year, over year over year.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×