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Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

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.

Jan 23, 2017 07:41 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

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.

Jan 23, 2017 06:16 AM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

My brand affiliation is the perfect fit and Nina Hollander sums up my response as well.

Jan 23, 2017 07:41 AM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

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. 

Jan 23, 2017 08:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

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....

Jan 23, 2017 07:15 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I prefer a strong brand, RE/MAX.

Jan 23, 2017 06:16 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

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.

Jan 23, 2017 09:06 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

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.

Jan 23, 2017 06:38 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Consider your needs and compare what each has to offer. One size does not fit all!

Jan 23, 2017 06:17 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

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!

Jan 29, 2017 08:23 PM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

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.

Jan 24, 2017 03:41 AM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

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

Jan 23, 2017 08:50 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I have been running a small outfit for a very long time, I may like to work for a big company someday.

Jan 23, 2017 08:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

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.

Jan 23, 2017 06:58 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I have worked for both. Right now I'm at a small independent firm. I prefer that at this point in my career. 

Jan 23, 2017 06:56 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I worked at first for a medium Brokerage and am now a small Brokerage and would not change it

Jan 23, 2017 06:41 PM
Rainer
2,465
Cristina Tizado-Molina
Century 21 Alpha Associates - Huntsville, TX
Best-In-Class Real Estate Brokerage

I prefer a big name brokerage that is independently own and operated as a boutique brokerage, you get the best of both worlds.

Jan 23, 2017 05:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I prefer boutique so I have direct link to the owner

Jan 23, 2017 04:49 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

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

Jan 23, 2017 04:49 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Big name.

Jan 23, 2017 03:43 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

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

Jan 23, 2017 11:12 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I am a small broker but have a major name in our area for a umbrella company.

 

 

Jan 23, 2017 09:18 AM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

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...

Jan 23, 2017 08:52 AM
Ambassador
5,049,455
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I've done both and prefer the smaller, independent brokerage I'm at

Jan 23, 2017 08:29 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

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.

Jan 23, 2017 08:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

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.

Jan 23, 2017 08:03 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Done both. Prefer the cost savings and flexibility of an independent.

Jan 23, 2017 07:06 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 never worked for a big name brokerage, so I can't really answer your question.

Jan 23, 2017 06:55 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

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.

Jan 23, 2017 06:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I like to hold things in my hand and have them up close

Jan 23, 2017 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

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.

Jan 23, 2017 06:25 AM