I dont care about the size of the pond, or if it is a buyers market or a sellers market.  I am going to prospect every day, build my data base, work my data base, and handle any and all leads that come my way.

A small fish in a small pond as everyone knows what happens to small fish in big ponds.... they get eaten

Holleay Parcker - Spinnaker Realty - Serving Clients From Corolla to Hatteras I think both have their benefits. It is more important to find a company with a good mentoring and training program so the agent can get off to a good start in this business.

There is something to be said for a small fish in a smaller pond.  

I think it depends on the training and mentoring.  If the small office has nothing going on to speak of then I would go with the larger name office.  Whoever I would choose to follow needs to be walking the walk themselves. 

I don't think the size of the brokerage matters as much as the support you are going to get from the broker - 

It depends far more on the broker than on the size of the brokerage.  What is the atmosphere?  Are there too many big agents gobbling up everything for themselves. Does the broker play favorites?  Too many variables for it to narrow down just to big vs. small.

If the broker in the small pond would mentor me, guide me and offer lots of support, I would want to be in the small pond.

I tend to like smaller office. I'm in one now. I get great personalized attention from my broker and that is so important. Right now we have a very difficult transaction, and he's able to devote a lot of his time and attention to it. 

You need a name brokerage who provides the training and trainers who are passinate about their role.  Small brokerage may be fine if you can provide own leads. 

Many times I've had visitors from far away states who ask, "What can we do today?" "Let's do Disney!"  "Oh, no. I don't want to deal with the crowds."

The reason crowds exist, the reason offices are big is because there is something exceptional to discover. A newbie agent should be given one piece of advise: GO WHERE YOU SEE RESULTS COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR BUSINESS PLAN.

What plan?  They have not prepared and still we lead them to believe they will succeed.

NEWBIE, go with the office with the highest number of transactions per agent, annually. Then simply follow the instructions provided on the label. It's not rocket science.

Good morning Holleay. It depends on the person, some like large crowds, others do not. I do business with both, it always depends on the individual and either can be successful.

I don't care about the size of the brokerage, but I would want a broker that felt an obligation to help me succeed.  

Individual offices have unique cultures whether they are large or small.  Interview brokers, visit offices, and find the right fit for you.

I would recommend the big pond with immediate name recognition and the environment of many successful agents.

i would like to be the small fish in the pond, a lot to learn and the more people you can be around you the better it is, have a good day

There can be benefits to both, however, as a new agent I wanted the name recognition of a larger more dominant brokerage because I had none of my own.  As it turned out, there was also great training, tremendous support and it turned out to be a good fit.  To this day, I still benefit from the larger name awareness and good reputation.

I've only been with a big franchise and like it that way. I feel they are up to speed on 100% of every change in the marketplace, shop for the best products for our office, and get us the best E & O rates.  I've used this business practice in my business for many years, choosing larger ponds for all of these reasons.  

Mmmmmm.  Very intriguing question and worth revisiting time to time!

I think it comes down to a financial decision first.  Most Newbies don't have a large money-in-the-bank backlog  to be paying the huge desk fees associated with well-recognized National Franchises.  We all know the cost of signage, cards, NAR affiliation, and other costs can be steep when you are first starting out.  So for this group, belonging to a boutique office with no NAR or large desk fees, has a caring managing broker who provides training,  and helps the newbie with signage, is probably the best choice.

That said, if you have some cash so you can cover desk fees & related expenses, then yes, usually the Coldwell Banker, Sotheby's, Windermere, KW options are going to have a structure that is time well-spent to learn.  Once you have a sense of confidence and understand the ropes after the first year or two, then consider being swayed toward the boutique that offers a better split and environment.

We are all independent contractors (at least in my state we are), so finding a good mesh of personalities, fees, support/experience of Managing Broker, training, control of inventory,  were the major points I considered when I made the switch.

All the best from the Pacific Northwest!

Rita Harris, Broker (Seattle)
WP & Associates

I have recently made the switch to a bigger pond(feels like an ocean) and so far the training and support have been incredible. I am looking forward to settling in and I will report back. This is a  great post and impeccable timing!

I think it depends on the firm, its management and its approach to helping new agents get trained.

It depends on the leadership of the Broker not the size of the agency.

Ha!  Great question.  

We started in a tiny office and quickly became the big fish.  

Three years ago we moved to a mega office and were the small fish.  

Today we are (some of the many) big fish in the #1 selling Century 21 office in the country.  

I say both, but with timing.  

I like the big fish in a small pond. While I love learning from other agents that are better, the more agents the more drama unfortunately. Just as in any business.  Smaller brokerages can thrive well in smaller markets like mine. 

Wherever you get the most support - and the best vibes. Agents in offices of all sizes can be welcoming and helpful - or cut-throat. 

I think a Brokerage that has alot of training and mentoring.  Some offices keep recruting new agents and they see what the top agents accomplish.  Some new agents think all they have to do is show up at the office and the broker will give them leads.  They learn quickly that this is not the case.  Some move on to other brokers or quit.  I've seen this happen over the last 26 years.

When your are starting out your Only Focus should be To Learn as much as you can under a Mentor and choose brokerage who provide Regular training, Close Deals to get real Hands On Experience and Provide Exceptional Service to your Clients... Small Fish or a Big Fish- It doesnt matter then....

There is also something to be said about the benefits of being a big fish in a big pond.

Seriously, a tip of the hat to all who recognize the benefits of training and mentoring regardless of the pond size.

I think it comes down to training and mentoring. I really don't think a smaller brokerage is a good place for a new agent. I'd go with a company that offers resources for your entire career. I'm with Keller Williams Realty and we offer it all. We have a huge first time training course in our "BOLD" program plus tools galore for business planning, lead generation, etc. We offer "Mega-Camp" for those folks who want to abandon the "pond" and swim and grow in the sea of life.  A smaller brokerage can refer you other real estate "gurus" to follow which might be the best way. Good luck.

I've been in both ponds. The pond I'm currently in is my "Charming Pond'. The third time is a charm pond.  If I need a response on the weekend, I get it. It was not unusual in the prior ponds to get a response 2-3 daays later, unless of course I was doing some work for them like an open house with problems. I am very happy where i'm at. The "Top Fish" is younger than me but more professional and is concerned with everyone of the agents under his brokerage!! That would be Jeremy De La GArza CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP. He is also member of AR!

Big fish in a big pond.

It doesn't matter what size pond you are in, at the end of the day it is up to you whether you succeed or fail.  That said, I prefer to be in the pond that provides resources that I can have at my fingertips over the pond that forces me to do everything myself.  Certainly a new agent should make sure they will be properly trained and mentored rather than thrown into the water!

When choosing my broker, I told myself, in those exact words, that I'd rather be a bigger fish in a smaller pond.

I will say that when I started out the big franchise office provided excellent training but then as I learned the business I realized I wanted my own pond...little but content!

Holleay,

It depends on your temperament and how you would feel about it.  Only you have the right answer, when it comes to what you value.  A

I'd rather be wherever there is the best mentoring....if it's within a "mom and pop" office, so be it!!!

I'm happy to be a medium sized guppy in a very small pond.

I like working in a larger brokerage not that I want to be a big or small fish.

But I like the energy of the large office and having agent working around me as it gets me motivated.

I started out at a small brokerage and when I took it over I eventually converted to RE/MAX I have been very happy with the name recognition and the excellent training and opportunities available for myself and my agents.

Adele nailed this one!

We are in a resort market so it doesn't matter one bit.

I'd would research how much business is done by both offices in the marketplace I serve, and make that part of my consideration for selecting the office.  I'd look at what systems they have in place to help me succeed, more than the size of the office.  Finally, I'd determine what commission split they were offering me.