Choose the team that can train you on the files you’ll actually see, puts its splits and fees in writing, and shows you where your first conversations will come from. In Martinez that means a team that can walk a buyer through a refinery question, a 2025 fire map and a commute with no BART station, without guessing.

Here’s how to test that before you sign anything.

What does a Martinez deal look like right now?

Busy, fast and full of questions. Redfin counted 102 Martinez home sales in August 2026, up from 97 a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 20 days, and over the three months ending August the median sale price was $813K, up 4.3% from a year earlier. Redfin also says Martinez homes got 4 offers on average over those three months (Redfin, Martinez housing market page, checked September 24, 2026).

For a newer agent, that pace cuts both ways. Buyers need someone ready to write a clean offer the week they see a house. And sellers need someone who can price it right the first time. Ask any team how it gets a new agent ready for that speed.

What local questions should a team prepare me to answer?

At least these three. If a team leader can’t explain how they’d handle them, keep looking.

  1. “What’s going on with the refinery?” In February 2026, the Contra Costa District Attorney and the Bay Area Air District announced a $10 million penalty against Martinez Refining Company, with a final judgment signed February 18, 2026. The case covered violations from early 2020 to late 2024, including the 2022 Thanksgiving Day spent catalyst release (Bay Area Air District news release, February 19, 2026). A good team teaches you to answer with official records and alert systems, and to send health questions to a doctor or Contra Costa Health, not to offer opinions.
  2. “Is this house in a fire zone?” The State Fire Marshal’s local map for Martinez is dated February 24, 2025, and Con Fire says the new maps took effect July 10, 2025 (Con Fire, Local Responsibility Area Maps page, checked September 24, 2026). You should know how to pull the viewer for a parcel and how that lines up with the Natural Hazard Disclosure.
  3. “How do I get to BART from here?” Martinez has no BART station. County Connection runs buses from Martinez Amtrak to Concord, North Concord, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek BART (County Connection, routes page, checked September 24, 2026). Clients will ask. You should know the routes cold.

A team that works these files every week can hand you its playbook. A team that doesn’t will leave you to figure it out on a live client.

What should I ask a team leader in the first meeting?

Ask for proof, not pitches. These five questions get you there fast:

  • “Walk me through a new agent’s first month.” You want a calendar, not a vibe. Who trains you, on what days, and when do you shadow a real appointment?
  • “Where would my first leads come from, and what do you expect me to do with them?” Listen for how follow-up is tracked and who checks it.
  • “Who helps once a deal is in escrow?” Ask whether there’s transaction coordination, and who you call when an inspection or appraisal goes sideways.
  • “Can I talk to two agents who joined in the last year?” Then call them without the leader on the line.
  • “What does it cost me, all in?” Split, desk or tech fees, marketing costs, and any fee when you leave.

Pay attention to how they answer the money question. A team that’s vague there tends to be vague about the rest.

How do I check the team is set up right?

Look it up yourself. The California Department of Real Estate has a free public license lookup at dre.ca.gov. Search the team leader and the broker, and confirm both licenses are active. Then ask who the responsible broker is, because a salesperson without a responsible broker can’t do licensed work, according to the DRE (DRE, Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License, checked September 24, 2026).

Get the team agreement in writing and read every page before you sign. If a term confuses you, ask a real estate attorney. That’s a small cost next to a contract you’ll live with for years.

How should I think about splits and commissions?

As one number among several. What you keep depends on your split, your fees and how many deals close, so compare what each team gives you for its share: leads, training, admin help and coaching. And remember when you talk to clients that commissions are always negotiable and not set by law.

Be wary of any team that promises a dollar figure. Nobody can honestly tell you what you’ll earn in your first year. Your effort, your follow-up and the market all move that number.

What are the warning signs?

Walk away, or at least slow down, if you hear any of these:

  • A specific income promise, or a production number with no written terms behind it.
  • No clear answer about who trains you, or training that’s “whenever you need it.”
  • Fees that only come out after you ask twice.
  • Pressure to sign today.
  • No one who can speak to Martinez-specific issues like the refinery, the fire maps or the commute.

What does The Davis Team offer?

Leads, training, support, mentorship and systems. We’re a team at eXp Realty that works both Contra Costa and Solano County, and you’re never figuring out a hard file alone. If that’s the kind of setup you want, come see how it works and ask us every question on this page.

Questions people also ask

Should a newer agent in Martinez join a team?

It can make sense, because a team can give you training, leads and help with paperwork while you learn. Going solo means handling your own marketing, follow-up and transactions from day one. Either path can work. Compare what each team gives you for its share of the commission, and get every term in writing before you commit.

How do I check a real estate agent’s or broker’s license in California?

Use the free license lookup on the California Department of Real Estate website at dre.ca.gov. Search by name or license number. It shows whether a license is active and who the responsible broker is for a salesperson. Check the team leader and the broker before you join any team.

What local issues should a Martinez agent know in 2026?

Three come up often. The refinery, where the Bay Area Air District announced a $10 million settlement on February 19, 2026. The fire maps, where Con Fire says the 2025 maps took effect July 10, 2025. And the commute, since Martinez has no BART station and relies on Amtrak and County Connection buses to BART.

Are real estate commissions negotiable in Contra Costa County?

Yes. Real estate commissions in California are always negotiable between the client and the brokerage and are not set by law. On a team, how the commission is shared with you is a separate agreement between you, the team and the broker. Ask to see that agreement in writing before you sign.

Your next step

Bring your questions. Let’s sit down, walk through a real Martinez file together, and you can judge us the same way this page says to judge any team. See what joining looks like at whythedavisteam.com or call (510) 949-5525.

More on Martinez: How do I become a real estate agent in Martinez? · Living in Martinez, CA · Martinez market update

By Bill Davis, DRE #01880656, The Davis Team at eXp Realty, Martinez, CA. Updated September 24, 2026.

Sources

  • Redfin, Martinez housing market, data for August 2026 and the three months ending August 2026: redfin.com/city/11767/CA/Martinez/housing-market (checked September 24, 2026)
  • Bay Area Air District, “Joint DA-Air District Prosecution Secures $10M From Martinez Refining Company,” February 19, 2026: baaqmd.gov (checked September 24, 2026)
  • Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire), Local Responsibility Area Maps: cccfpd.org/205/Local-Responsibility-Area-Maps (checked September 24, 2026)
  • County Connection, Routes page: countyconnection.com/routes (checked September 24, 2026)
  • California Department of Real Estate, Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License: dre.ca.gov (checked September 24, 2026)