1,844,301
I worked for a small broker & got tired of explaining who we were & what we stood for. Went to RM & never had to explain that again. Now I just spend time on CMA.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
5,104,931
I've done both and prefer the big name franchise, like RE/MAX. I can sell myself and the brand behind me like mad! Also it generates great referrals from agents from all over the country.
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
352,976
My brand affiliation is the perfect fit and Nina Hollander sums up my response as well.
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,026,993
Worked for the 'big boys' for the first six years or so of my career. I never received a lead, but I paid tens of thousands of dollars each year for the privilege. When I realized no one had ever once hired me because of the balloon on my card, I started my own company. I've never once been sorry or questioned it. But it's such an individual thing, and it depends on how you like to work.
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Kasey & John Boles
Boise, ID
5,583,278
I've worked at both and all were wonderful offices....I managed them.... an office is as good as the agents who work there.... I needed to empty one office and build it up to be the best....
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
7,836,419
I prefer a strong brand, RE/MAX.
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Teri Pacitto
Westlake Village, CA
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
3,345,091
I did the big box brokerage thing for 9 years ... and it just was never a good fit for me - my style and personality. I went out on my on in January 2012 and never looked back. I love flying solo ....being the captain of my own ship.
2,178,603
I've done both. Worked at several franchises. Other than Re-Max, I was too out-of-the-box for them. I ended up opening my own boutique, with 3 agents, which was my favorite.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
5,216,409
Consider your needs and compare what each has to offer. One size does not fit all!
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Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
5,230,113
Oh, I've got a boutique office within a national brokerage (RE/MAX) and am thoroughly enjoying it! Clients love my office and I love the support of the largest big box brand out there!
150,416
Small boutique, then much larger boutique, and so far loving being with the large brand. Its been amazing the reaction from my clients and sphere.
809,258
I've always worked for an independent and like others have said, it hasn't been a detriment to us, and often has been an asset, but it's a very individual decision. -Kasey
6,393,609
I have been running a small outfit for a very long time, I may like to work for a big company someday.
1,502,998
Like Nina Hollander and Teri Pacitto said, big brands have their advantages for name recognition amongst other things (like the old Sunday newspaper ad). My broker has worked for all the big names out here and they all had their pluses and minuses. I had my hat hung at remax once too. I like the fact that now I can type remax instead of Re/Max and NOT get in trouble (it was a violation to type it anyway other way).
The question really boils down to what YOU need. If you're just starting out, a big box may give you more opportunities for growth and training and has that name recognition factor. Some of the big boxes have marketing departments. If you've been around for a while and don't need that big box name or want to be more agile, a boutique may be the best fit for you.
For me, I can't see myself EVER considering working for a big box and being bound by all their rules and regs. I crave the flexibility and the ability to tackle an issue from "outside the box". And that's what you really need to focus on, is what YOU need to succeed.
2,224,473
I have worked for both. Right now I'm at a small independent firm. I prefer that at this point in my career.
3,986,258
I worked at first for a medium Brokerage and am now a small Brokerage and would not change it
2,465
I prefer a big name brokerage that is independently own and operated as a boutique brokerage, you get the best of both worlds.
1,617,916
3,416,038
I love being small and independent. Big can be too big. For me it allows me to adapt easier. I stress service and reach more clients that way
4,434,127
613,494
When I started in RE it was with a small brokerage. They were soon bought up by a franchise...who did not believe in Buyer Representation and said I could not practice it. All big offices thought that Buyer Agency was taboo.
I got a broker license even before I knew how to fill out a contract and I opened up my own specialty office representing only home buyers. I found what I love to do...my way.
Someone commented that no one asked them if they had a balloon on their card...in 25 years not a single person asked me if I were a "realtor", member of NAR or member of FAR, either...
Eve
4,936,705
I am a small broker but have a major name in our area for a umbrella company.
564,494
My only experience is with a big name brokerage - because of the tools available, ongoing training, mentorship, and name recognition. I think it's a personal decision based on what is important to you...
5,049,455
3,988,007
When I owned my own business we were independent and boutique. I loved it and have also enjoyed working under certain franchises. It is a matter of what works for me at the time.
1,712,676
Been through the gamut but now a very small boutique brokerage but I will put my bottom line profit total against about any other brokerage in town.
711,852
4,800,082
I never worked for a big name brokerage, so I can't really answer your question.
921,504
The big name with the intelligence to allow diversified agent business models. The agent who does not know what that means works for the 'other type' of big brand.
2,781,173
1,466,207
William Piotrowski I've worked at both. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Look for a company where you have rapport with the broker and that they have a good training and mentoring program.