Question for brokers, is it better to work solo or have a 50/50 split partner in this business?
Commercial real estate brokers, do you think it’s better to work solo on all deals or have a 50/50 partner on all deals and why?

As a new broker, I was given the opportunity to either work solo on all deals or be a 50/50 partner on all deals with another new broker. No matter who gets the deal, it would be a a 50/50 split. We both have access to our senior partners for advice on deals, no matter if solo or partnership. I still have no idea if my partner will be good/bad at this business since we both just started.  I want to be optimistic about this persons potential but as of now I don’t see any value of partnering. So far, I have been getting all the proposals from clients, while this person has yet to get a proposal. I know I have to be patient as everyone learns/adapts differently. This job is all about connections and the more people you meet, the more opportunities. Having a partner will allow room for more connections and will help bring income in on months I don’t close any deals, if my partner happens to close. The thing I worry about is what if one person is constantly working more than the other. It’s hard to get both people to hustle/grind at the same level. 

I want to make a decision now before moving forward and things getting complicated. Looking for recommendations on which you would choose &amp; why?
[{"id": "i1ctukh", "text": "Recommend you go with 100% of what you do and she gets 100% of what she does to her. That doesn't stop the two of you from splitting deals from time to time. Unless she proves her value, she shouldn't be taking half of your take- equally, if you're not proving your value, you shouldn't be taking half of hers. Ideally, you both find where you add value and get a groove. From there, splits should be natural (for the most part)", "replies": [{"id": "i1ergxe", "text": "Thx for the advice! What\u2019s the best way of communicating this without hurt feelings?", "replies": [{"id": "i1fopi8", "text": "\"Eat what you kill, and we'll split when in writing.\"", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "i1fqivd", "text": "\u201cI\u2019d like to try my hand at doing this on my own, but we can still split on deals where it makes sense for us to work together.\u201d", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "i1gjxjd", "text": "\u201cI love the idea of working together and being able to split. If you find something where I\u2019d be able to add value let me know and vice-versa\u201d", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "i1hcrjj", "text": "One option... Let her know that you'll be more motivated if you know that it's all on you, and that you'd be happy to tag team projects as it makes sense for both of you. Truthfully, you'll both develop your own niche / approach / strengths. And when that happens, 1+1 can equal 3. She needs to find and develop hers, you need to find and develop yours first though.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1cv3ej", "text": "From experience, no need for 2 new brokers to partner.  Splits go 50/50. Then 50/50 split again when you guys bring in a senior. Then split again with the house/ brokerage. All before the tax man takes a cut.  Work hard, book meetings and take a senior on your own.  You\u2019ll quickly be able to do deals without a senior or at least will have confidence to say 70/30. I\u2019d try to bargain with a senior: \u201cIf I bring you X meetings in a month, you bring me in on 1 or 2 of your deals.\u201d  Get creative, leverage your meetings.  Any senior gets pushy you can easily pivot \u201cOk I\u2019ll take my meetings down the hall.\u201d  Work hard, you\u2019ll soon see your equal to those above.", "replies": [{"id": "i1ek0im", "text": "Thx for the advice. How would you communicate this to the other person without hurt feelings? I already put their name on potential deals I\u2019m working on, so if they close, I\u2019ll have to split. However, moving forward I want to make it clear to be solo yet still have the chance to partner on some deals here &amp; there.", "replies": [{"id": "i1f5vbc", "text": "Keep it very casual, \u201chey buddy I\u2019m getting the hang of this, I\u2019m going to start running some deals on my own.\u201d  If you are booking a bunch more prospects than he is, he will also read through the lines and understand. Be friendly, but it\u2019s business at the end of the day.", "replies": [{"id": "i1g4vm1", "text": "Humility. It's you, not them. Along the lines of... \"I don't know if I'm good at this yet so the added pressure off knowing I have to hold up the end of my bargain is too much right now. If deals come in that makes sense to partner, we can partner....\"", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1d9xxr", "text": "It depends. Are you staying out? If so, 50/50 is actually very generous. Learn as much as you can, then transition to going solo over you have the ability. If you\u2019re not starting new and you know how to get a deal closed. Partnering only will bring more problems than solutions. Hire a team and go solo.     \nJust my 2 cents.", "replies": [{"id": "i1e866f", "text": "Thx! How does a team work when you are solo?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1dbp34", "text": "If you are good at prospecting, go 100% as you can always work deals together, here and there. I work with my business partner on some deals and we split it 50/50 while we both also close deals on our own and keep 100%. For me personally, it was a bad move financially doing the 50/50 on some of the deals I Brough my partner in on because the deals I have brought into the group have had a much better payoff so far (over the past 4 years).", "replies": [{"id": "i1e8e92", "text": "That definitely makes sense, thanks! How would you communicate this decision to do this to the other person? I want to just split the first deal that closes only and go solo from there, but also work deals together, here and there, as you mentioned. Need a good way of communicating this without being hurtful.", "replies": [{"id": "i1fczlh", "text": "It's business, there are no feelings. If the numbers work great, if not, it doesn't work for everyone.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "i1fuhdw", "text": "The best thing is to be honest and up front. I would just say it exactly how you mentioned it above. I'd like to work this first deal together but I want to grow and start my business on my own moving forward. If there are deals that come up along the way that we feel would be beneficial to our clients to work as a team, we will...", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1fcj5z", "text": "It depends on what the partner brings to the table. I recently added a partner with a smaller equity stake with the understanding the partner reduces my expenses by 50% while adding 50% revenue to new business. That kind of return made it worth doing business with them. Make sure the agreement your attorney writes up reflects voting rights proportional to equity. I've always been a fan of partnerships as long as everyone is making money, everyone is happy.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1ffckw", "text": "50/50 only works well when each of you fills a gap the other one doesn\u2019t. When I started 18 yrs ago, me and another guy teamed up and did well in Multifamily. We did well because he did all the phone work while I did everything else and I really mean everything else. He was great getting new business and I was great at underwriting, marketing, transaction management, etc so once he got the lead on a seller, I took over from there while he continued focusing on bringing in new business. It was great since he was good on the phone while lacking at the marketing and I was good at everything else as I had a background in advertising and marketing. Since you\u2019re both new, I wouldn\u2019t do any other kind of partnership than that.", "replies": [{"id": "i1gbwmc", "text": "I did the same thing for a few years until my partner started to feel he could do everything on his own and resented me even though I taught him the business\u2026. Not worth it in my opinion. Deal by deal sure why not but even then what\u2019s the point. If you can\u2019t do both sides of a deal from a-z then get some mentorship and learn what you don\u2019t know.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1fkrkb", "text": "I never use partners might take me longer but I want all the money I am not going to ask anyone what I can do or not do or if I can sell or not sell. The only boss I have is my Wife.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i1gc4qq", "text": "I started the business a year or so ago, and had the same thoughts as you. However, all the top producing brokers are part of teams. I learned that being involved with a team gets you in front of more deals and less stress on you to bring every deal to the table and plus close it. Splitting the load makes it more manageable but only if your partner is good as you or if you have a senior willing to hold your hand. Also helps deal with several clients as it can get tough to deal with several different fires at once. Either route can lead to success but those are just my thoughts.", "replies": [{"id": "i1gcyop", "text": "What\u2019s the best way to communicate working together temporarily but not be committed to 50/50 split for every deal? Do I be upfront &amp; clear now or wait till I feel it\u2019s time to be solo to have that conversation. As of now, I have been the only one getting prospective deals but I know I have to be patient as everyone learns differently.", "replies": [{"id": "iwfmcfh", "text": "Sorry for the non response, how\u2019s it going for you? What\u2019d you decide", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]