Careers // DSA Realty Services
Why work at DSA?
DSA RENTALS
When you’re deciding which rentals agency to work for, one factor stands out more importantly than any other: How many exclusive rental listings per agent does the brokerage have each month? Rental agents who have been around know that truly is the key. Other agencies claim that they have “thousands of listings updated daily” or “great technology” or “a corner office” or “25 years in the business,” but if they only have ten exclusive listings each month for 100+ agents, you will go broke there.
Agents can’t succeed at these other agencies because they chase open listings. Open listings are shared with every broker in the city; the owner usually tries to rent them as well. Chasing open listings is awful and the firms that rely on them have constant turnover. If you’re going to have success in renting apartments, you must have multiple exclusives each month to work on. DSA has the most exclusives per agent of any brokerage in NYC. How is this so? Because DSA owns and manages over 20 buildings in NYC. On top of that, we have 20 other buildings that we exclusively rent. With a team of less than 20 agents—which is how we like it—we can offer multiple exclusives each month for every agent.
We offer health insurance
Starting in January 2009, DSA Realty will offer health insurance to all its agents. If you produce enough, you can get 50% or 100% of it paid for by the company. If not, it’s still much cheaper (80-100%) than trying to get it on your own.
What other advantages does DSA offer?
Being attached to a large landlord provides the advantage of remote offices. Aside from our full-time offices in the Financial District and East Village, we set up shop in our owned buildings as well and allow you to work out of various areas. We also have signs on all these buildings. Another advantage of being attached to a landlord is that we have extensive knowledge about buying and selling buildings. Aside from having the ability to work in sales, retail, and rentals, you can also work in building sales. If you’re motivated, you can truly stay busy all year round in any market.
What real estate accounts does DSA offer?
OLR and Property Shark subscription accounts, NY Times online advertising, several others.
What kind of agent does DSA hire?
Only good ones. We don’t hire any “slicksters” or dishonest agents. DSA agents are known in this business to be honest and competent. Landlords absolutely love us because we focus hardcore on their listings and can simply get apartments rented. We need the best agents available to get all these exclusives rented. DSA Agents are expected to work full-time and to work hard. You won’t see here the “revolving door” found at other agencies, where people are in and out every week. DSA has a steady team of solid agents.
I am an experienced agent. Can I transfer to DSA?
Absolutely. Experienced agents start at higher splits once their experience is confirmed. In fact, if you have a team you may be able to bring the entire team here.
What are the splits?
The splits depend on productivity and experience. The more you produce, the more you can keep.
Are there any desk fees?
Absolutely not.
Is advertising paid for, or does it come out of my pocket?
At DSA, your advertising is fully paid for.
What costs are there?
You need a wide-angle-lens camera and business cards ($60). That’s it.
How often do agents get paid?
Every week, like clockwork.
I hear other agencies have trouble surviving, especially in this difficult economy. Is DSA stable?
Completely. DSA Realty is spun off of DSA Management, a 20+ year landlord/management company in NYC. Our offices are located in the buildings we own. DSA Realty is as stable as can be.
Please don’t fall for the tricks other agencies use to lure you in. They’ll make absurd promises like “Make $150,000 your first year!” (not possible—never been done) or “100% splits.” Just as shady brokerages use false advertising to try to lure in clients, they use false advertising to try to lure in agents. Don’t fall for their tricks. DSA Realty has a 100% honesty policy that applies equally to clients and DSA agents. We don’t just value honesty; we absolutely insist on it.
How much money will I make?
It completely depends on how hard you work and how adept you get at the job. If you work at another firm chasing open listings, plan on making next to nothing. If you work at a firm with a few exclusives for 100 agents, plan on making a little more than nothing. If you work at DSA, where you have multiple exclusives at a time, plus sales and retail work, plan on making a good living. Your first year will always be slow, but by the second year, once you’ve developed some relationships, you can do really well. Don’t expect it to be an easy job though. You’ll have to work. Any agency who promised you $10,000 your first month is just trying to sucker you in. It takes time and effort. If the job were really as easy as these other firms claim, then why would anyone work at minimum-wage jobs? Getting a career in real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. Anyone who tells you otherwise thinks you’re gullible enough to work for them.
DSA RETAIL/COMMERCIAL
Again, exclusives. You will be placed on a team and have exclusives to find tenants for right away. At other firms you’ll have to start cold-calling and won’t make a commission your first year. Join a winning, established, producing team and have a career, not a non-paid internship.
Summary
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Aside from what is discussed above, there are many other reasons to work for DSA. We have the best Web site in the business, the smartest advertising, remote offices all over the city, great management, incredible technology, and a great team of agents. You can work on a team or on your own or possibly lead a team. We don’t hire anyone who walks through the door. You have to be honest, punctual, reliable, and a hard-worker. We also don’t hire part-time agents or agents who like to sleep in until noon and get to work by 2 PM. Real estate is a full-time job only.
If you think you have what it takes to join the best team out there, please e-mail a resume and a cover letter to . We don’t accept mass-mailed resumes or resumes without a cover letter. We want you to display initiative and a work ethic from the start. We look forward to your responses!
