Changing brokerages in New York is administratively simple. The anxiety around it is mostly about timing and pending deals. Here is the actual process.
The mechanics
- Your new broker files the change. In New York, the sponsoring broker submits the change of association through eAccessNY. You do not file it yourself.
- Your old broker is notified. The Department of State records the termination of your association with the previous brokerage.
- Your license is reissued under the new sponsoring broker. Until this is complete, you cannot legally practice under the new brokerage.
- MLS access moves. Your OneKey MLS membership is tied to your office; the new brokerage updates it.
The whole process usually takes a few business days once the new broker submits it.
What happens to pending deals
Commissions on deals in contract belong to the brokerage that was your sponsor when the deal was made, per your independent contractor agreement. Read that agreement before you resign. Some brokerages pay you your split on closing as normal; others reduce it. Know which you have.
Timing the move
- Close or firmly schedule what you can before you move.
- Avoid moving in the middle of a listing period, because the listing agreement is with the brokerage, not with you.
- Give your clients a simple heads-up: same agent, new company, here is my new contact information.
What to bring
Your license number, your E&O history if asked, and your client list. Your pipeline is yours; your prior brokerage's forms and marketing are not.
Confidentiality
You are allowed to talk to other brokerages while licensed with your current one. A professional brokerage will keep that conversation confidential until you decide.
Thinking about a move? LJ handles the eAccessNY filing, MLS transfer and Agent Portal setup on day one. Schedule a confidential conversation or read the Realtor Careers page.
