Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? All kidding aside some people do better in smaller more intimate situations without all the corporate hype. Others like the rah-rah of the national chains and all the tools that the bigger companies offer. It also depends where you are in your career. All the big flashy stuff doesn't impress me anymore. I could be a one person office and do fine, but that is after 35 years.

Find out what best works for you.

I prefer a large well known office that includes many high production agents. If you need help, all you have to do is walk down the hall. You do not want to have to spend your marketing money to sell the unknown company.

Question is if you can strike on your own, the name sake is insignificant.

I know a realtor selling junkie condos wanted to change her image went to that one under Warren Buffet, she is still selling and buying low end cheapies. She is leasing a Bentley but she can not make the adjustment.

Jesse, we have only lost one potential client to someone who thought the brokerage we were affiliated with was not "big or famous enough" to get the job done.  Other than that our clients focus on what we offer to them and not on our brokerage affiliation.

Having worked in tiny through extra large companies there really is no way I can evaluate the pros & cons of each. It is mostly subject to what and where your market or niche is. I would doubt that most of my customers could tell you or care which brokerage holds my license Jesse Castro.  

Jesse Castro, it won't matter.

"Why?," you should ask.

Because you have not revealed or described your business, your business plan, like ANY small business owner would have prepared. 

Perhaps what you personally bring to the table via business contacts and shakers and movers in the community align you will with commercial real estate. You don't want to hitch your star to an enterprise selling villas.

Perhaps you come stark naked, nothing but a hat in your hand.

What do you think will resonate better with new clients:

"I am in business for myself but not by myself. I have the entire resources of my broker and REMAX brand to insure your success."

"I am in business for myself but not by myself. I have the entire resources of my broker and Tombstone brand to insure your success."

But, don't dismiss my first statement, I won't matter, if you don't have a plan and know how ti evaluate the broker. If you don't, you will be a fish whom they will teach to climb a tree. Historically, brokers have failed miserably in the endeavor. 

Hi Jessie. I started with Coldwell Banker and was with them fo seven years until I jumped off on my own. I loved it there. Either is fine as long as you have the support and tools you need. 

It depends.  I think folks work with their individual agents, not companies. 

It's a personal choice. I generate my own leads and decided that handing 30K a year to a brokerage wasn't my best option and found a local franchise that was 100%.

Jesse, 

I've been with a small office my whole career. I know and trust the broker. The lack of name recogition has never been a competitive issue.  I suggest you find a managing broker that you trust, respect and can learn from over paying attention to a name.  

Every person has a different answer.  Personally, I like small, nimble organization.  I do not like the large, corporate owned or francise systems.  It's just not me.  I find that a lot of agents pick the wrong model for their career and then end up disappointed.

Jesse Castro - I think this is a personal choice. I love to be at Keller Williams - just because I learn a lot from them!

If the system can support your business, that's the way to go.

The company you choose shouldn't have anything at all to do with the size.  In real estate, size doesn't matter.  To me, the important thing is what types of services the company offers and, what are the financial pros and cons. 

My brokerage provides amazing services to the agents, including professional photography and amazing brochures.  They make it very easy for me to compete for listings in a very competitive market.  And it's an amazing bunch of people.  Bigger isn't as important as really, really good.

I like the small company if you like hands on training and working. The big franchise have more tools,  but if you dont have buyers or sellers to use them on, they are worthless. 

It really depends where you are in your career. Generally, when you are starting out, the big name gives you credibility. As you become experienced and known, it doesn't matter as much and you probably get paid better at smaller companies. The criteria should really be 'what do you need at this point in your career and who best can provide that?"

The small companies have a hard time providing the tech, training, coaching and splits that the big companies have.

You decide! Your choice.

I like the smaller companies.  Less costs so I don't have to work as hard and still make the same net.

We're an independent "boutique" brokerage, so you have my answer there.

The "credibility" and "lots to offer" of big box brokerages is largely a myth. Surveys have confirmed that very few consumers select an agent or company by the company name or reputation.  In large brokerage networks, reputation is not company-wide, as you can always find a consumer horror story online by someone who had a problem with an agent at a particular large franchise.

Franchises spend a lot of effort emptying their agents' pockets, with desk fees, annual conventions, motivational speakers and lots of products to sell.  Not for me.

I've done both.  For me, REMAX was a great choice.  I have a lot of control over my business and how I spend my money.  In the smaller offices, I saw a lot of "deadwood" who came to drink coffee, trade gossip and complain about how bad the market was.  The broker in that office told me he kept them around because "every once in a while, one of them hits a homerun".  Kind of like a "blind pig finding an acorn".  I knew it was time to go when I heard that philosophy. 

I'm a small business owner and it works well for me.  I've done the big box thing and leaving was the best thing I ever did.  We all do it differently.

I've done both and typically I've found having the brand name behind my name is more helpful.

Neither is better because it is you someone trust that the agency. The value of an agency should be judged in other ways and that value proposition depends on your needs. 

Size not matter, its their policies and splits on the referral you send and receive

I don't think it matters as long as the atmosphere allows you to be the best that you can be...

The Broker I would choose to work for would need to provide education and opportunity.  Being a big company does not always present the best option.

It seems that the larger companies don't have time to make you a better agent, where, with a small company, there is more personal attention.

It really depends on the agent. Larger chain offices usually have a lot to offer an agent. The smaller offices are usually more intimate and there's likely better training.