Special offer
Shuchi Agrawal, Serving Dallas / Ft. Worth (Kanam Realty Group/Kanam Commercial)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
1,662,036
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

My wife Debbie and I opened our own small real estate business in 2006 and neither can imagine working for a big box again.  We all do it differently. 

Apr 11, 2015 11:41 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Shucchi,

I really depends on your personality and how you like to work, and the people in each office the company.  Expenses are a consideration, that is for sure.  Again, it is a question what you value. A

Apr 12, 2015 02:21 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,645
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Shuchi -- it depends on the person.  Finding the right fit is important. Regardless of  business model, we are still the "owner" and "manager" of our business.   

Apr 12, 2015 02:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I made as much money managing a small "mom and pop" real estate office as I have here managing a RE/MAX office..... it has nothing to do with the office....IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ABILITY OF THE AGENT.... AN OFFICE IS AS GOOD AS THE AGENTS WHO WORK THERE....PERIOD.

Apr 12, 2015 01:43 AM
Rainer
334,783
Linda Metallo DiBenardo
RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

I've been with RE/MAX almost 25 years, world-wide a highly regarded real estate company.   Since the every office is independently owned, it's easy to find one that suits your needs/budget.

Apr 12, 2015 12:45 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I have been with the same brokerage the entire 8 years I have have my license. I am loyal :)  I have received offers from just about every other brokerage in town and when I do the math, this is where I should be.  Clients tend to find me because of ME, not the brokerage behind my name.  At this point, if I was to switch, I would just start my own small brokerage.   Sometimes it is a good thing to recognize when you have a good thing, like the brokerage I work for.

Apr 12, 2015 12:14 AM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

I have worked for both and found RE/MAX the best.  Before, I was always defending my smaller company and it's inability to compete.  The balloon over my head has been responsible for a lot of transactions. 

Apr 11, 2015 11:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Shuchi Agrawal There are advantages and disadvantages to both large and small companies. Big box companies used to have a large market share, but now with individual branding smaller companies can also benefit.

Apr 11, 2015 11:36 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Reduced fees and expenses is the WORST criteria possible for selecting a brokerage.

The only thing you should be concerned with, regarding selecting a broker, is the average annual transaction per agent. This is the indicator the systems, compensation, training, WORK.

If the average transactions per agent provides what your business plan states to be your income goal (Your real income) that is where you should go. Then, all you need to do is follow the directions of your mentor.

If the average transaction count is 2 per agent annually, you need to understand you will be one in a great gaggle of geese, none of who can survive in real estate.

Apr 11, 2015 11:19 PM
Rainmaker
938,637
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Shuchi, the two brokerages my wife was affiliated with stressed agents branding themselves so we have had a combined total of maybe 4 referrals directly from the brokerages in almost 25 combined years of selling real estate.  There are a couple of name brokerages in town where the agents are dependent upon the brokerage feeding them with referrals at about 35% per referral.

We both work from home and create our own business even though we are with a larger national brokerage.

Apr 11, 2015 10:16 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Brand names do have their advantages but right now I work with an independent firm.  

Apr 11, 2015 10:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,139,819
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

I think big brokerages are great for learning and the training.

Apr 11, 2015 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

It would depend on the office where you work. I worked at Century 21 and loved it and only changed offices because they relocated. I have been at Re/Max for more than 16 years and love it too.

Apr 11, 2015 09:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I worked with few companies and now I joined the smallest of them. I would not go back to a big one, but I do consider joining another small but very posh boutique group.

Apr 11, 2015 05:13 PM
Rainer
48,786
Shuchi Agrawal
Kanam Realty Group/Kanam Commercial - Flower Mound, TX
Serving Dallas / Ft. Worth

Evelyn Johnston and Larry Johnston, thanks for your answers.  Evelyn, I meant better commission splits and reduced office fees/expense while providing decent training and broker support.

Jesse Castro, thanks for pointing me to your post and Congratulations on your decision to join the smaller firm, JK Realty.  Wishing you continued success in your business.

Apr 11, 2015 02:58 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Why do you think a smaller brokerage has reduced fees and expenses?  Are you talking about agent fee's?

Apr 11, 2015 02:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

A smaller brokerage is better, if they work with you on training and direction.

Apr 11, 2015 02:55 PM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

I have worked for small companies but I really like the large companies better.  There is more opportunity in a large real estate company.

Apr 15, 2015 03:57 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I prefer a smaller brokerage.  Though your assumption of reduced fees at smaller brokerages may not always be accurate.

Apr 12, 2015 06:54 AM
Rainer
509,531
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

The size of the brokerage makes no difference to me.  Sometimes, newer agents use the big franchise names as a crutch until they get experienced & established and feel more confident that they can work wherever they want.  The total of the fees & expenses can be the same regardless of the size of the brokerage.  Each brokerage also has their own policies so you should know what those are and be OK with them before transferring to a different brokerage.  If past buyers/sellers have had a good experience with you, not many are going to care what company you're with because they want to hire you, not the company.

Apr 12, 2015 04:57 AM
Rainmaker
516,537
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I would say definitely working for a smaller Brokerage.  I have worked for both and am actually doing better now than ever.  The company I work for has little to no fees.  I am able to spend money marketing myself and my properties.  Our broker also let's us put our phone number on the signs.  This helps me so much.  I use to hear agents in my office who didn't want to work, just let the lead drop.  I always hoped it wasn't my seller calling in to check on the property.  I know about the properties and it is best if I am answering the calls. Then if they can be sold, they will be sold.

Apr 12, 2015 02:18 AM
Rainmaker
977,386
Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker
Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA
The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

I have had the experience of working for a large and a small brokerage.  Personally, I prefer the small brokerage.  I find that there is more support in a smaller brokerage, among other things.  I don't think I will go back to a large brokerage.

Apr 12, 2015 02:15 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

I worked with KW - and now my own boss! An Associate Broker at e-Merge.

Apr 14, 2018 10:50 PM