Building a successful real estate team goes far beyond hiring agents. It takes a strong, supportive culture, strategic leadership, and the willingness to adapt. Every team leader has a different approach, but those who stand out know that culture and growth cannot be left to chance.

On a recent episode of my podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Todd Schroth. Todd is a seasoned realtor based in Orlando, Florida and the founder of the Todd Schroth Home Selling Team. With over two decades of experience, Todd’s journey is filled with lessons on cultivating a thriving team culture and making it through industry highs and lows.

Watch the full podcast episode here.

Today, I'm excited to share the main takeaways from our conversation!

Todd’s Key Strategies for Building a Winning Real Estate Team Culture

Creating a winning culture within a real estate team is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from every success and setback. Todd Schroth’s journey exemplifies this, as he shared during our conversation. Let’s delve deeper into the insights that make his team thrive.

The Journey to Team Leadership

Todd’s career began as a second-generation realtor, absorbing the real estate world from a young age. He didn’t just step into the business—he lived it.

After buying his first property at 19, Todd spent years immersed in the investment side of real estate, from flipping to managing rental properties. However, the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis forced him to pivot.

Facing an overwhelming volume of short sales, he saw the need for a team structure. Managing clients, listing properties, and closing deals on his own became impossible. Building a team wasn’t just a business move—it was a necessity for survival.

This pivotal moment in his career marked the beginning of his journey as a team leader!

Scaling Up and Choosing the Right Team Size

Like many leaders, Todd initially believed that a bigger team would mean greater success. He scaled up quickly, growing to a team of 20 agents. However, he soon discovered that more doesn’t always equal better.

Managing a large team came with significant challenges, such as coordination, training, and ensuring each agent’s productivity. Over time, Todd realized the value of smaller teams where every member receives focused attention.

With fewer agents, he could offer personalized mentorship and truly invest in their growth. His shift from a large group to a core team of seven agents allowed him to cultivate a tight-knit culture rooted in mutual support and high performance.

Creating a Supportive Team Culture and Structure

For Todd, team culture is about creating a space where agents feel empowered to grow both personally and professionally. So, he encourages his team to develop their own brand while contributing to the team’s overarching mission. This balance helps his agents feel seen and valued as individuals, not just as part of a collective.

Regular training sessions keep their skills sharp, while culture calls foster camaraderie and alignment with shared goals. Social activities, like team outings and casual gatherings, also strengthen bonds and remind everyone that real estate is a team sport.

This supportive environment ensures his agents can leverage both their own initiatives and the team’s collective resources for success.

Recruitment and Retention: Full-Time Commitment

Todd’s philosophy on recruitment is straightforward: commitment matters.

He focuses on bringing full-time agents on board who can dedicate themselves entirely to real estate. For him, part-time commitments can just lead to split focus and missed opportunities.

Todd understands the challenges of building a career in real estate, so he creates an environment where agents can grow, learn, and thrive without distractions. Personal and professional growth is built into the fabric of his team, with clear paths to success and plenty of support along the way.

Motivating Agents and Building Specialization

Keeping agents motivated is a constant challenge for any team leader. Todd tackles this by recognizing that one size does not fit all. Each agent has their own strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. So, instead of forcing everyone into the same mold, he helps each agent find their niche.

Whether it’s door-knocking, open houses, cold calling, or working their sphere of influence, Todd’s goal is to align tasks with strengths. This not only keeps agents engaged but also ensures they deliver exceptional results.

He also emphasizes a well-rounded knowledge base. From connecting clients with mortgage brokers to reviewing real estate contracts, he wants his agents equipped for every client's need.

Specialization, paired with comprehensive knowledge, keeps his team competitive and capable of handling any challenge.

Navigating Compensation Models and Expenses

Compensation structures can be a point of contention in any team. Todd has refined his approach over the years, learning what works and what doesn’t. His model ensures fairness while accounting for the substantial costs of lead generation and marketing.

Remember, running a real estate business can be expensive, so he reminds team leaders that thoughtful compensation models are the key to keeping their agents motivated and ensuring business growth.

Final Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Team Leaders

For those aspiring to be great industry leaders out there, Todd has a powerful piece of advice: have a clear business model; understand your expenses; maintain consistency in your structure and support systems; and have a well-defined onboarding and training process. All of these can be the difference between growth and chaos!

From my perspective as a podcast host, I also believe that sharing stories like Todd’s is a way to educate and uplift others. Podcasting has helped me build authority in my niche while fostering meaningful connections with top industry professionals. 

Working with a professional real estate podcast production company is a game-changer for reaching a broader audience and sharing valuable insights.

Tune Into Leads & Leverage for More Success Stories and Insights from Real Estate Team Leaders!

Todd’s journey offers a masterclass in building a winning real estate team culture. From finding the right agents and creating a supportive environment to navigating the complexities of compensation and motivation, his insights are pure gold for anyone looking to lead in real estate.

For more stories like Todd’s, be sure to tune into Leads & Leverage: Real Estate Team Leader's Lounge. Each episode features real-world advice and inspiring stories from industry leaders who are making a difference.