Different strokes for different folks is an old saying that each of us could apply to the brokerage and office we are in. I would love to hear from all on why they like where they hang their real estate license. What makes them comfortable, why it works for them? Is it name recognition? Market share? National market sahre? A comfort level? National ad campaigns, TV and Radio ads, or just the connection to the local community? Are you in a big office or small? Do you work out of the home, or like the synergy only an office can supply?
This is not meant to be a recruitment or a join my company session. This is more about the agent comfort ZONE! I love hearing your comments! 
Gwinnett Homes for Sale
I'm with a KW office...it's ok but I'm not really into all the 'family' stuff. I work on my own from my home and I like that. I get to the office once a week or so to check my mail, pick up check but that's about it. I know many agents with KW are there because of the 'culture' but that's just not for me.
Hope you get a ton of replies on this...it would be interesting to see the replies!
Hi Jim,
Although I'm not an agent, I am a broker in a small (31 years)independent office. Ten agents total (including me) newest agent in my office 3 years, longest 17 years. We work very hard to maintain client loyalty, that's our primary focus. However I do have a couple of farming agents (the newer ones) who do very well.
Most everyone does work from home. I think that's now the norm for most. I'll be following this post to view the comments.
I work for RealtySouth and a lot of it is because they own the market and the exposure they have makes life easier at times. They have a lot of opportunities for leads, new sub divisions, and with the offices they have around town there are brokerage opportunities if that is your cup of tea.
Lynda That has a lot of apperal to me. In my remaining years it is something I may be interested in persuing. Right now I want to avoid the Adult Day Care side of the business. I do have a brokers license in 2 states.
Douglas Thanks for sharing. Sometimes a company as you can describe offers opportunities that lrger ones do not have. Builder relationships, new homes subdivisions, and yes leads! That works real well!
I have worked with Re/Max now over 16 years. I originally started there for the following reasons. :
After all these years I am still here. I like the people all top professionals. Because there is no shared commission you have to be good to pay your desk fee. I genuinely feel proud of the Organization, and it does have a good standing in the community.
Having said all that I truthfully believe that it is more important to us agents than it is the customers/clients. Yes I know that many people do ask for RE/MAX and others as well. But I also know very good and well that the majority of the clients will often work with the first agent who asks them. One of my very own long term clients ( now for at least 15 years ) asked me long ago ( I think we had been working together for almost 8 years at that time ) what company did I work for. When I told him it was RE/MAX he said oh yea I thought it was something like that I just couldn't remember.
Like I said. I really think that it is more important to us than others.
Herb, I like yur comments. I used to use a term called "Dubo's Feather!" If it makes you fly ...go for it. Sometimes esteem, confidence and achievement are the results of that faith. Aside from that I like the points you shared!
Jim, I have been with RE/MAX for 11 years. I love the support, the ATOD (agent training on demand), the lead street, RSN, the conferences, the branding,and all the agents in my office. I love that we are International, met some awesome people from Ireland, Pakistan etc.. at conventions.
Everyone is mature and we help each out but we each run our own businesses our way.
In 2005 our broker for Remax did not renew his franchise. Brokers out of the Ann Arbor area who bought it and it has been challenging to say the least. We are all still together but I'm not sure for how long. As much as I love RE/MAX Intl and all it has to offer. The local company is just not up to snuff. You know Ann Arbor is 24 miles surrounded by reality and they just "don't get it".
Anyway, I will be reconsidering in the winter months when business slows down. I have had some incredible offers from KW and other local companies. Not that I want to leave but something has to change and fast.
Randy I envy you. That is reallly what I liked the most in all my years in real estate..."I am with a small local office in the shopping center 2 blocks from my home!" Too many real estate offices have disconnected themselves from the community. A real estate office is great when placed in an area of the highest possible exposure. Where? Next to hte place they buy tier daily groceries. You have the best of everything, local and national!
Steven "each office is individually owned and operated" Again, small in control fell, but national in stature. Smart.
Missy Thanks. I've been with REMAX many years since the early 1990's. Like you I love all the training, the RSN shows, the technology and networking. Being in a company that is so international in stature allowed me to go to levels of production I could have only dreamed of. Yet last year we left for a short stint and went to KW. Nice people, but for us, the grass just appeared greener, and we have since returned to REMAX. It was the right choice for us. Over the years in different markets we were in many companies, from an independent in Brooklyn New York, and and La Plata Maryland, to a Merrill Lynch, and Prudential in Virginia, and several REMAX in Georgia. There are loads of great places to choose. Acknowledge we are in some trying times right now, and it may not be much different no matter where you go listen to your heart, and you will find the right answers. .
Hi Jim, I am not an agent but the broker owner, I was a small independent for 7 years before going with RE/MAX. At the time, there were no brand names in our marketplace population 28,000 county wide. But later another brand name moved into the market so I purchased a RE/MAX franchise to stay competitive, been with them 10 years now and still happy with them. Back then no one here even knew that RE/MAX was a real estate company. I am a better Realtor than manager. My hat is off to broker owners and managers who just run the business side. At the end of the first 5 years, all I did was train my future competition. I changed my business model when I had an agent leave taking my systems, and staff with him and opened up one block away as a mom and pop shop. I am a team leader now, in a single office of 6, 3 agents and 3 support staff, it works fine, less headaches. Being a small fish in a big pond (RE/MAX) works for me.
Hi Jim,
I've been watching these comments and I have a question for Missy if you don't mind? Missy the phrase "You know Ann Arbor is 24 miles surrounded by reality and they just "don't get it". What did you mean by that?
I too like Herb's comments, just goes to show you how important the Realtor/consumer connection is vs. the brokers that say it's all about them. And Jim, I'd like to congratulate you for your comment "the grass just appeared greener," The fact that you make a change back speaks of wisdom to me. Very few Realtors would be willing to admit that so I congratulate you.
About a year ago an agent left my office for a bigger spilt, the overall production has decreased dramatically, so is it better for that person, maybe, maybe not? As (hopefully) a good negotiator I always try to leave the door open myself, if someone changes their mind.
Continued success!
Craig Thanks for sharing. I too would like to own my own shop sometime, but not now.
Mary! Great story! Ellen and I were very successful in other companies. When we were with an Atlanta local real estate company years ago Harry Norman REALTORS, they were and still are a very good and reputable company, Anyway we were on a listing appointment..when the seller turned to us and said.."If you are really as good as you say you are, why aren't you with RE/MAX?"
Lynda My thoughts are in this market it is very easy to think success is going to be found some place else. It won't be. I had another blog a while ago that talks about changing seats on the Titanic. The key is to ride this out market, watch your overhead and expenses.
Debbie I would like to stay with RE/MAX as long as I'm in real estate. If I were to set up a small virtual referral based company I would consider a small brokerage, but in RE/MAX I can do almost anything I want at this point. I'd probably just stay! It is hard duplicating success.
I would rather leave real estate than RE/MAX. That being said, each office is independently owned and operated, so they each have their own character and characteristics. After about 15 years, I recently left a mega office for a mini office closer to my home, and they each have their own pluses and minuses. But the common thread is that they are under the RE/MAX balloon. I'm really proud to be associated with such amazing professionals nationwide, the corporate philanthropy, and leaders who are truly dedicated on a personal level to providing the agents and brokers with tools they need to excel.
Contact Margaret in Maryland for real estate in the D.C.-Baltimore-Annapolis triangle. (Margaret Woda, RE/MAX Vision)
Rhonda Cheek Rhonda Harry Norman Realtors is a great company to work for. Ellen and I started out our real estate careers in Atlanta with them at the Old Alabama office with Ag Flagg who was the broker then. That office then moved to North Point Parkway ( I understand it has just closed!) What I like most about Harry Norman Realtors is that they prided themselves on professionalism and customer satisfaction. It is always a pleasure doing a deal with any of their associates.