Comments on: Ask the Brokers – Does Size Matter (When Selecting a Broker)?

By: Greg Tracy

Greg Tracy — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:11:27 +0000

Excellent dialogue about large vs small companies. There are reasons agents align themselves with certain companies- sometimes for the freedom (less standards) or for the training or marketing or broker or myriad other reasons.

It is ultimately the individual agent that matters most, yet the company does (and should) have an influence on the agent and also says something about the type of reputation and image the agent has/wants.

As you said, all things being equal, the company does matter.

By: Phil Hoover

Phil Hoover — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:15:23 +0000

I have worked for all of the big companies during my 35 years of real estate.
I know you can’t paint them all with the same broad brush, but I think most of the national franchisors are more interested in having a big body count in the cubicles so they can milk the agents for all sorts of fees, convert their website leads to “referrals”, and try to impress the public with their largesse.
In other words, quantity is more important than quality.
Then, they fail to train and supervise those agents.
The main reason I am with RE/MAX is that they provide me a respected platform from which to operate my business as I wish without getting in my knickers for all sorts of revenue-enhancing fees.
My broker’s revenue comes solely from me paying them to be there each month, then I keep everything I make.
Fortunately, their business model is not attractive to inexperienced or unsuccessful agents and I am able to work in a highly-professional environment.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:33:13 +0000

Scoot – Agreed that it is ultimately the individual agent that makes the difference. I tried to say as much. However, give me two equal agents and put one in the big company and the other in the small, and I think the advantage goes to the big guy. I know not everyone will agree.

By: Scoot

Scoot — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:28:21 +0000

Good post kris, although I may have to disagree with the the big company thing. From talking to brokers in my area it seems the big co.’s are collecting their dues and not doing anything to earn their $. Are you speaking of the big national outfits like Cent 21 or just the big firms?

You’ve done this much longer than I have, so I may be wrong on this one, and it may have to do with the fact that I’m in a rural area – I don’t know. That’s just what I’ve heard about the big names.

I really believe that it ultimately comes down to that individual agent, and their work ethic. I think I’m one of the only ones left on the mountain (FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING-there are others holding out as well) that haven’t gone out and gotten a “part time job” that turns into a full time job. I have resisted b/c I believe that there is too much to keep up with, and it would only hurt this business to have even a part time gig.

I also believe that it’s times like these that steel us into being even better people, and cause us to DECIDE what is most important. You know kinda’ like how “Love is a decision”.