Can a Virginia real estate team switch brokerages and keep its brand?

A Virginia team can usually move to a new brokerage and keep its name, but Virginia advertising rules require the brokerage name on your marketing. The team brand runs next to the firm’s, not in place of it.

That is the short answer. The longer one is about what you need to line up before the move.

Can we keep our team brand?

Generally, yes, within limits. Your signs, ads and website need to show the brokerage name clearly, so plan on a design where both names appear. The details depend on how the team is structured and the Virginia Real Estate Board’s rules, so have your new broker review the materials before they print. This is general information; confirm the current rules with the Virginia Real Estate Board or a Virginia real estate attorney.

Keeton & Co welcomes teams, and several operate inside the firm. Virginia advertising rules require the firm name, so your team brand runs alongside Keeton & Co rather than instead of it.

What should a team ask a new brokerage?

Ask the questions you’d ask as an individual, then the team-specific ones:

• Who owns the leads and the database the team has built, and what happens if a member leaves?
• Can team members have different plans, and how are they set?
• Which support, such as a transaction coordinator, marketing and IT help, is available to every member of the team?
• Who is the broker members call when something goes wrong?

The broker questions I’d ask before switching apply to teams, too.

What happens to pending deals and the CRM?

Pending transactions usually stay with the former brokerage until closing, because the listing or buyer agreement is between the client and that firm. Your former broker decides. Time the move around the pipeline, and don’t assume anything about open listings.

Your database is the other thing to plan. Keeton & Co sets up a CRM account with your database imported. Confirm in writing what you can export from your current system.

What does Keeton & Co offer a team?

Every agent here gets KAI, an AI assistant built only for Keeton & Co and connected to the MLS, your transactions, goals and CRM. There’s a full-service transaction coordinator, in-house marketing support, IT and admin support, a field technician, and a broker who answers. The optional Lead Service sets appointments for you through our Inside Sales Team.

Keeton & Co is independent, with no franchise royalty. Keeton & Co commission plan details are shared privately during a confidential conversation with our team.

What should I do next?

If you lead a team and are weighing a move, we will look at how your team is structured and what it would net under each plan, and tell you plainly if moving doesn’t make sense. Start a confidential conversation, contact us, or read about Daniel Keeton.