WELCOME

Hello, hello! I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and y’all are remembering to take a little time out for yourselves. I know we’re in high season, but sometimes squeezing in a quick breather is exactly what you need to come back refreshed and ready. (And that is why I snuck away to beach again last week.)

Today I want to talk about something we don’t discuss nearly enough. And while what I’m covering it may initially feel like a blessing, it could actually be a nightmare.

Intrigued? Keep reading!

YOUR FACE. YOUR VOICE. YOUR BRAND… ELEVATED

Y’all, my team just told me some of you reached out after reading the newsletter, and let me tell you, that gets me all fired up! I am truly excited that those who reached out are taking the next big step to build your brands because that is exactly how I got started. (Except I did not have near the resources y’all have now when I was coming up.)

And for those of you who missed it, let me say this—The Estate Agent Growth Program isn’t just another content package. This is your glow-up moment. We take top-tier agents and help them show up like the stars they really are with short-form videos that don’t just look pretty, they pull focus, build trust, and get those phones ringing.

This isn’t just content for content’s sake; this is brand power. You’re working with the same team behind some of the biggest, boldest voices in real estate. So if you’re ready to stop blending in and start standing out, this is your ticket!

STORY TIME WITH GLENNDA

Today I want to talk about a topic I discussed a while back on my podcast. I feel like this is an important subject, and not one that gets covered nearly enough lately. Granted, this advice won’t apply to everyone right this second, but it’s good info to have in your pocket. However, if you’re an agent thinking about switching brokerages just for that shiny signing bonus, you’d better pump the brakes and listen up because this absolutely applies to you.

Let me preface this by saying I’ve been selling real estate since Jesus was a baby, and I have never seen agents move around like they currently are, particularly in the past eighteen months or so. For so many years, it used to be that agent Betty Sue needed a brokerage to affiliate with, but in recent history, brokerages are now the ones who need the agents and Betty Sue is in the driver’s seat.

Agents have leverage that they never had before.

And this is a good position for us to be in.

That’s why plenty of brokerages are tossing money at agents like beads at Mardi Gras. Agents are being courted with bigger, better deals. That’s why when a fancy brokerage rolls out the red carpet, offers you a fat check to switch teams, talks about “opportunity” and “support,” suddenly it feels like you’re the belle of the ball.

What they don’t say out loud is that ball is actually a trap. But trust and believe that even if they don’t say it, those golden handcuffs are written into that contract. Because most likely you’re signing into a clawback agreement. If you don’t read that contract real close, you’re going to end up on the hook for a whole lot more than you bargained for.

If the term is unfamiliar, a clawback is a legal clause in your independent contractor agreement that says: “Listen, Betty Sue; we gave you this money now, but if you leave before X date, we’re taking it ALL back—and maybe more.”

It’s like taking out a loan with fine print that says, “We can change the interest rate anytime, and also, we now own your soul.” (I’m being dramatic, but not by much.)

That “free money” they gave you to switch brokerages is not free at all, Betty Sue. If you leave before their magic date, whether it’s 12 months, 24 months, or even longer, you could be obligated to give back not just the signing bonus, but also:

• Marketing spend (yes, those pretty postcards and Instagram ads you didn’t even ask for)

• Administrative stipends

• Onboarding costs

• Assistance payouts

• AND your commission split on deals in escrow could drop to 40%—even if you were previously at 75%

Can you imagine working your tail off building your dream pipeline, then being told you have to fork over hundreds of thousands just to walk away when you discover the brokerage isn’t a good fit? I know agents locked in for years because they'd have to write a million-dollar check just to leave. That just feels crazy to me. You’re not even an employee, Betty Sue—you’re an independent contractor. But with a clawback, you’re now an owned asset.

Don’t get me wrong; some of these brokerages have the very best intentions. Yet the fact remains that when your “bonus” becomes a ball and chain, that’s not a business partnership. No, ma’am. That’s a hostage situation but there’s no SWAT Team coming to rescue you.

You might be asking, “Glennda, why are clawbacks so bad, especially if they come with that sweet, sweet signing bonus?” Well…

• You lose your leverage. Once you’ve cashed that check, Betty Sue, the brokerage has no incentive to keep supporting you. They’ve already got you locked down.

• You can’t pivot. If your market shifts, your values change, or you want better leadership, it doesn’t matter. You’re trapped.

• Your future earnings are potentially impacted. If you do leave, you’ll make way less on every pending deal.

• You become a number, not a partner. Companies that “buy” you don’t build you. Instead of being a collaborator, you’re a cost center.

I kid you not—I’m talking to agents right now who want out, like, yesterday. They’re disillusioned, overworked, and unsupported. However, they can’t leave without writing a six- or even seven-figure check. One told me, “I’d have to pay $1.2 million to walk away. I’m stuck.” STUCK. That is not freedom. That is not independent. That is not okay.

So before you’re tempted to hop ship and cash that big-ass check, ask yourself:

• Do I want to own my business—or be owned?

• Is short-term gain worth long-term restriction?

• Will I still be valuable here once the ink is dry?

Let me tell you, when a brokerage no longer has to serve you, they often stop. That’s not a relationship; that’s a transaction.

At the end of the day, I want y’all to be in a place where you’re empowered, not entangled. You deserve to be somewhere that values you for the long term—not just for your production. You deserve transparency, trust, and real coaching, not golden handcuffs and empty promises. And you deserve to own your book of business without owing anyone a dime just for choosing freedom.

If you’re thinking of making a jump, ask the hard questions first. Read the fine print.

Remember that when someone gives you money up front, they’re not just investing in you—they may just expect to own you.

 (And remember to read every contract, not just your own!)

@glenndabaker

Everything you need to know is in the contract! You just need to read it… #GlenndaBaker #RealEstate #AtlantaRealEstate #NewAgent #GlenndaT… See more

GLENNDA’S GURU

Welcome, Carl Gambino!

I am so very pleased to introduce everyone to Carl Gambino today! Carl is that guy in real estate—bi-coastal, booked solid, and big time. He’s been closing deals with A-listers and moguls from New York to Los Angeles, and all the glamorous spots in between. He didn’t just break into the luxury market; he dominated it by building his own powerhouse firm where he makes it clear that style, service, and substance are paramount. (And he’s as well known for his taste as he is for his discretion in working with the top of the top.) So I hope y’all love our chat as much as I did!

Thanks again, Carl!

GLENNDAISM

Today’s Words of Wisdom

GLENNDA BAKER & ASSOCIATES

Honey-Do? Honey-Doesn’t-Need-To!

This brick beauty is tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in sought-after Brookhaven, combining classic charm with modern updates. And do y’all know what that means in real-estate speak? It means no projects, no to-do list, just effortless living from day one.

The fresh paint, brand-new carpet, and lush landscaping mean you can unpack, settle in, and start enjoying your home immediately. The stylishly updated kitchen features crisp white cabinetry, stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a breakfast bar—perfect for both daily meals and for weekend entertaining. Which you can do because you won’t be busy hitting up the Home Depot to tackle an endless list of chores.

Just move in and start living!