We've been with 3 different brokerages in our 7 year careers.  

Brokerage 1:  Small company.  It worked for us starting out.  

Brokerage 2:  #2 Century 21 office in the entire country.  They recruited us big time, and they delivered.  

Brokerage 3:  The next up and coming downtown and uptown office in Fort Wayne.  They recruited us HARD for a few years, and once they franchised with F.C. Tucker, we knew it was a good fit for years and years to come.  

Opportunity is our incentive.  We weren't really looking to move either time, but these companies came after us and we saw value in what each of them brought to the table.  

Cost and hassle.  I have been at the same brokerage my entite RE career, which is 9 years now.  I have been recruited by many other brokerages in town.  I listen, but what can they do that is better?  So far, they all cost a lot more.  The ones that promise me more buiness?  Well, I can barely handle what I have now, so that does nothing for me.  For me, all about cost and next, hassle.  The brokerage I work for now, my mentor is always available to answer questions for me.  If not, I never hear from them.  They leave me alone, allowing me to focus on working with clients and enjoying my success.  To each their own.  For a new agent, I would look for mentorship to learn the business (THE RIGHT WAY) and maybe leads.

I think the managing broker can make or break a good office environment.

Sally & David, 

If I told you I'm afraid I'd be over run with calls from recruiters.  I got one this week from a Broker who lied to me on a previous transaction (that we didn't close). He even remembered the incident and had a new story (which was another lie).  

I advise people to be very cautious when considering a move, even to our office.  Most of an agents issues are within them and not where they work. 

I left to work for myself. I'm a task master though

Priority-commission split

political cloud-you are not their golden boy not getting leads

Better opportunities.

We left our last because it was all about "Corporate" and not the Reatlor. We wanted to be able to make our own decisions...

to make more money is the usual answer. but to have better working conditions is the real answer. If i paid you 110% of the commission, and it was miserable to go to work, you would likely change. if i paid you 70% and work was a joy (there fore not work) you might stay..

The last broker reneged on his word about our next years expense agreement. He also said well, you didn't have it writing did you? If they lie, I go.

I have only done it once and it was because of office politics and a new managing broker who really played favorites...

Sally and David,

Interesting question, we get asked that by those who are recruiting agents.  I think that wording conditions matter!  One of the 100% models we have worked with provides their agents with professional photography as well as CMA's and signs that show their names big and their phone numbers. as well as good looking web page.  I think that has a great appeal.  A

A better environment along with an opportunity to increase production.

I changed offices once because my broker/owner was a jerk.

The 2nd move was because I opened my own brokerage. I was doing all the work anyway.

I was with only one broker for 18 years. I watched agents move multiple times but found they took themselves to each change.  I love where I am now being a solo broker/owner.

I have switched a couple of times-  because of office politics, unjustified lowered splits, a lack of attention by the brokerage to new technology and growth opportunities (my broker was stuck in the 60s), to follow my broker to a new company, and then because that company exploded and closed.  All these moves taught me - Always have your own email and always make your phone number first on your marketing materials so your clients always can find you. 

It has to be a perfect fit for your thinking & comfort level; professionally & socially.  While comfort is good, it's also got a be a place that pushes you to do more.

Moving is not easy, and I am amazed at those who flip every 12-18 months or so.

If my broker sold the company  and we were no longer a good fit.  Right now I have it really good.   I have seen many agents  "broker surf" and they are rarely if ever any better off.  

Money and flexibility with my time.

If I were a new agent and my Brokerage pushed me out the door and then didn't give and training or support, I would be looking for another brokerage.  If they are getting half of my money, then I should get some help growing along the way.

If a newbie, brokerages with much better training programs and more high quality leads would get my attention. As an experienced agent with a good referral practice, much better splits are worth a serious look.  

It would take a lot! I love the culture where I am and everything else..been there since 1995 and don't plan on changing!

Right now, I have no incentive.

In the past, I've changed brokerages when the brokerage changed hands and the new owners' business models didn't work for me.  And it's not something that should be done lightly.

Not a good fit with my beliefs and values.  That is why I left a brokerage and went on my own.

Money is a consideration but so is the environment and the association with quality, reputable agents including the broker's reputation. If the broker isn't respected then it doesn't matter the split; I have to have trust and work for someone with integrity.

Support would be nice. A broker that answers a question in less than 24 hours would be very nice.

If mine closed the doors. That was the cause of my last move and it wasn't fun.  Nineteen years in one spot.  Hope to be there much longer.

I have moved once in my career from a small boutique broker to the one that I am with now. That will be my one and only move, as I am very satisfied where I am at.

We are privately held, the largest in the state, and we do a great mix of old school, and new 21st century marketing, and I like that. 

I really operate as my own brand anyway, and their logo just reinforces my methods, processes, and marketing. Win-win! 

It would take a lot. I have significant investment in this brokerage with branding, marketing and systems. 

The only thing that would make me leave at this point is if I was offered an equity partnership.

Mine would be to get away from the corporate idealogy and the split.

At this stage of the game a warmer climate.

Commission split, culture and training would be my 3 in that order.

Lack of faith in my current broker or an atmosphere in which coming to the office is a dread.  Financial incentives don't get it for me.  Moving costs too much and is too aggravating.

The 28 years I have in the industry has proven to be a journey to co-found Cafe Realty with 2 partners. After working for  corporate, franchise,  and independent brokergaes I found that the experience gained from where you have been leads you to what's next. I was about aboit collaboration and the ability to respond and adapt quickly to the market and clients' needs. Belief in the company you keep, the brand, the mission and your ability to translate all that into revenue! Quite a balancing act however the right brokerage is a very subjective decision. It's all in the journey and when it leads you to loving what you do...change to where you feel your belief lies.

The only way I would change is if I was totally unhappy ....I work in a great office now that I would never leave! Great question!

Good morning Sally K. & David L. Hanson,

I did not want to become a hopper, I started with one company and five years later I started my own. The biggest incentive is that I am in charge, I work 110% and get 100%.

Interesting comments and I always enjoy reading the answers to these types of questions.  Good to see what people value.

I've got two words:  Commission split.

Now I'll scroll down to read the other comments 

If I did not own my own brokerage, my main priority would be a managing broker that is fair, honest and ethical.

I made the switch to a larger company for the training.  Training is priceless.

Most people I know switch brokers for two reasons: either they got into a fight with their present broker over some piddily-ass thing or they were offered more money, neither of which would motivate me. When you're at the top, they're all pretty much the same, and most agreements they offer you contain time limitations, especially if they are too good to be true.

Lack of support, which could be manifested in many different ways, is one reason. Modus operandi is another - smaller, independent, more hands-off or larger corporate with meatings, canned CMA's and so on; office politics.

Sally K. & David L. Hanson after being in business for long enough, unless someone has to offer lot more in terms of education, motivation and service, it is unlikely for me to go for 'unknown devil'!

To change Brokerages  I would have to feel  I would get more "value" from another company .  Value can be in terms of culture or money in your pocket.  Sometimes one changes because of disagreement with a broker.  There is a cost to change Brokerages in terms of signs, business cards, websites, etc.   At the end of the day I would not practice my business any differently, but it is important to surround yourself with people you want to be in business with.  Masterminding and training are key in a good Brokerage.  If your current Brokerage does not provide quality, useful and meaningful training, you may want look around. Are the agents in the office willing to share information and mastermind?  If not you may want to change.  An agent's  business doesn't sky rocket by changing brokerages.  If the agent isn't doing daily lead generation and following up with clients, it doesn't matter where they hang their license.

Nothing at this point as I run my own tiny brokerage.

However, it would have to be a combination of professionalism and watching out for each other. There would be no interest for me to join a brokerage of 100 other Realtors so I would want it to be small as well.

I'e changed a few times, including going from RE/MAX to Keller Williams and then back to RE/MAX. I learned I'm pretty much the quintessential RE/MAX agent, so can't think of a reason to change at this stage in my career. But I suppose if management changes occured that I didn't care for, I would look for a new home.

I'd think the benefit of having a broker who is both respected in the community and in the REALTOR circle, and whose integrity and knowledge is unsurpassed is worth far more than a few extra dollars in my pocket from the occasional deal. Because the truth is, without this type of broker, I'm going to be chasing my tail with  more unethical agents and commission battles than without him.

Probably location of office, quality of office, parking availabilty for agents and visitors, manager, other agents in office would also be a factor.

Clear track to a significant increase in my sales volume, but still great company culture and integrity.