My Company is Better than Your Company? Oh Really!

Eric, Unfortunately, most people (newbies in particular) don't know the right questions to ask to make an informed decision.   As you say, we are independent business people creating our own destiny so, in reality, it doesn't make much difference where we land as long as we are working among those who have ehtics and integrity.    

Most real estate companies are franchises, and as such local businesses are owned by different people. Although there is a basic setup and core system, there will be differences between offices.

So although I do beleive certain franchises have more to offer that others, the real question is this... are YOU a better agent (or LO in my case) that the rest of them? If so, doesn't matter what company name is on your business card!

Regardless of which company someone goes with the reality is that every agent has to make it on their own. No company gives business to agents.

Interesting post Eric. Persoanlly I have never liked the big franchises because I fundamentally don't like the corporate world. I'm in charge of my own successful busness and i treat my agents well. We're making money and we're happy with what we do.

I do like to be with a company that has the largest market share, just for the mere exposure.  But being independent means that we create our own wealth and business.  That is very individual. 

Not all are the same. I have seen people join companies only to have them sold or go out of business too.

I am Keller Williams because of the people. Simple as that.

My company is lacking a plan for 2008.  They lacked one for this year and we have all floundered.  I did my own business plan and have increased my business over last year.  If one agent can do it imagine what would have happened if the brokerage had a plan! 

Many new agents don't know the right questions to ask and it is unfortune.

I am at KW but I do not feel like I am in a corporate setting.  I make my own decisions based on my business needs, just as long as they are ethical, moral and legal decisions.  I am in charge of my business and get to keep most of my money that I earn.  I love KW for the culture but I also love it for the chance at 100% commission.

Have you read about Jessica (GA) and the probs at Remax?  Makes culture and values seem even more important...

Eleanor,

You are right!

Culture and values are very important. One should want to surround themselves with good quality in both. That being said, my clients work with me because of me, not the company name. So as long as I find the culture and values, the name on the door does not matter to me.

Have a great day all!

Home Loans in Charlotte

What a nice blog! You know, in the end, clients select us as agents because of who we are. I remember working with a nice franchised firm. I went to my very first listing appt. (which just so happened to be a FSBO) ready to spill what the company had to offer. I pulled out the big 3-Ring 75 page binder and proceeded my practiced presentation. That's until the client reached over, closed the binder and said, "Jaclyn, can I sign the papers now. I don't care about this. I'm sure it is very helpful, but I already know the reason why I am signing with you: Becuase of you."

From that point on, I never used that binder again. I decided to be myself. I'm Great at that! That Godness I realized early in my career that my clients can care less who I am affiliated with. They chose me based upon my level of professionalism, dedication, my proven track record of  results and through word-of-mouth!

 Individually, I try to make them feel comfortable. I try not to over-promise and I try to do my best. My personality is straight forward, but kind. If it means telling the client something they don't want to hear: too bad. People aren't ignorant. They appreciate honesty. We as humans know who to go to if we want the same opinion we would give ourselves. We know who to go to when we are in trouble. We know who to go to when we need the pure truth. We are not dumb species.

As a result, I have established a practice generated by many referrals. That's some of the best business you can have: Referrals. I am working everyday to try to improve my practice and continue on the journey of success. I will and have messed up. But, I'm looking forward to learning from my mistakes becuase I've learned that it will only make me a better professional and human being.

I'm sure I will never be able to win everyone's business. Life simply does not happen that way. There's others dedicated to other outstanding professionals. That's until they fail to keep in contact throughout the years....

Hay Jaclyn is right.  I was recently presented with Williams family way of doing business.  I can say that if you look at any company with an open mind then you can understand at lest how to work with them.

I used to work for a small independent firm, and then bought a Century 21 Franchise here in Provincetown on Cape Cod.  I believe it does matter who you work with- not so much the name over the door.  But, an independent contractor should work for an office that is going to provide support and as many tools as possible in order to be sucessful.  However, it is up to the Agent to use the tools available, it is up to the agent to be creative, dedicated, and to provide superior customer service in order to have long term rewards in order to have a win/win situation.

Eric, Great Post! I know when I ran my Mortgage company I had Loan Officers that would want more splits.  They would say well so an so is doing this.  My first response was what are they going to do for you besides the money? 

•  Have they signed up with the best lenders?
• Will They help you shop the programs?
• Do they have any hidden Fee's (pac)
• Where they giving them Leads?
• Did they have an in house processor who know what they where doing?

The smart ones stayed.  I always go by the grass is not always greener.

Everyone needs to make the best decision for themselves. Do the research, ask around and be willing to move on if it's not working.

I do believe in the principals of KW but love the retriever pup for that other brokerage.  That is great marketing, if you ask me.

We all know we must be our own managers in this business and run it with ethics or else its all for show.