Special offer
ActiveRain Member Support

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Five. I left my 1st Broker because he had no moral rudder. I left the second one due to his inexperience as a Broker (he just got his license). My third Broker was forced into retirement. I was my forth Broker and I sold my company to my fifth Broker who thought paperwork was more important then productivity so I retired.

Feb 25, 2020 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

in 42 years, I worked at 3 brokerages..... never left before my 10th year.....

always for an advancement.... after my first at Century 21, I was offered a management position at another century 21 that had no business!!  my favorite type of office.... they soared to the top 5 in New England and I opened a second office for that owner and managed both!!

the next one was a mom and pop in Franklin.... I wanted to be in my town.... and that broker offered me a management fee of $5k/month plus my commisssions and paid for a new 500 series Meercedes 4 door sedan for me to use and that was in 1985 to 1995..... I only paid for gas.... that office went from the basement to the roof top....#1 in the entire mls database with my new construction....

the last was re/max and I managed there, too.... that broker/owner was very good to me and continues to be.... I no longer manage, but he's still very good to me.... that was a new office in Franklin 25 years ago and we have been #1 in town since day 1.... very strong in the marketplace....

 

Feb 25, 2020 07:03 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Two.  The first was a smaller but well-known and respected Los Angeles area brokerage followed by a larger and locally dominant nationally known company where I felt I could be more successful.  Both were good opportunities.    Eventually that initial brokerage was purchased by the second but that occurred after I left.  What's next:  we'll see... 

Feb 25, 2020 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Based on the variety of business cards I have had you might think as many as 8 or 9 however several of those changes were due to mergers and acquisitions. Discrepancies in contracted commissions gets me out the door the quickest. Don't adjust my contracted fee on a whim. Unapproved changes to my livelihood is constructive notice a lawsuit will be forthcoming! Most brokers understand this while some do not.

Feb 25, 2020 10:16 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm on my third. I left the first for many many reasons that I won't list here - let's just say they were not supportive of all agents. I left the 2nd because I moved across the country. Now I'm on #3.

Feb 25, 2020 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

One. 

I figure we're all just pillars of income to a broker and as long as I have a fair compensation plan & the appropriate tools/support to run my business, I'm good staying put.  We all hit a point in our business (hopefully!) that it's about us and not the broker...  Just MHO. 

Feb 25, 2020 04:44 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Just one, I got my license so that I could join this company, not leaving until I am done with real estate.

Feb 25, 2020 08:58 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Four, counting my own present company.

First:  Coldwell Banker. 1985-1988.  Left for personal reasons.

Second:  Century 21  1990-1991

Third:   1992-1993  Century 21, different franchise, same city.  They ran their office way better than the first C21 Broker.

Fourth and grand finale:  1993-present =  Frederick Griffin, Licensed Real Estate Broker.   

Feb 25, 2020 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

So far only 2 but had 3 name changes. 

Co #1 - was good local company that got bought by #2 trying to be a big box. Eventually left because the manager was insane with her ideas. Then #2 was going to be bought by K-Mart & there were jokes about blue light specials & us having a desk in the toy section. Time to exit Lyn before you have to do price checks in Aisle 10.

#3 is where I am now. No mention of going anywhere but I do wish they would remodel the place.

Feb 25, 2020 05:08 AM
Ambassador
3,169,508
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

2 different offices of the same franchise.  We left the first because we had some concerns with what was being allowed (and not allowed).  Not long after they sold to another brokerage (different brand) so our timing was good. 

Feb 25, 2020 10:06 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

17+ years - affiliated with 2 brokerages. 

In 2012 I opened my own brokerage - flying solo and loving it. 

Why did I leave?  Oh, Good Heavens ... the reasons could fill a book. I need to leave it at that. 

Feb 25, 2020 08:43 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

3 in Ilinois and 4 in Florida spanned over 40 plus years.

Feb 25, 2020 04:55 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Two, in my first year in business. 

The first one sold out to a franchise that thought only "losers" work with home buyers.

My second year, I opened my own office.

Eve

 

 

Feb 25, 2020 11:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

3 in 24 years, now mine.   The first change was I had a great instructor, but not a great mentor.   2nd - she closed shop and went to Weichert.  3rd - broker got a divorce (messy, messy) and was very difficult to get my checks.  After that, I decided it was best to open my own, and not deal with a broker again.

Feb 25, 2020 09:40 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I had my own companies for most of my real estate career. 

We moved to another state and then I joined other firms. I was in a RE/MAX office for 20 years before retiring.

Feb 25, 2020 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

2.  Changed because we opened our own.

Feb 25, 2020 07:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

3 including mine.

First broker, I chose because agents stayed there forever and happy agents don't leave. I stayed for 3 years and learned a lot, but I did not like mandatory floor time and loved working from home. Also, several family members worked there with varying degrees of 'entitlement'. I am still friends with my first broker and appreciated her training SO much!

Second I was a satellite office for a 'big name brokerage' and I loved it, got to work from home and learned a lot. My broker was awesome but had 10 offices all over AZ and he was 300 miles from me. If I needed him 'on the fly'  . . . nope. So I got my broker's license and empowered myself. After 2 years of not needing the broker so much, paying transaction fee and a split, and all my own expenses . . . why was I paying a broker at all?

So I opened my own shop and am in my 15th year. 

Feb 25, 2020 06:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

One to get started with and keep my license active and then I got my wings

Feb 25, 2020 06:25 AM
Rainer
427,257
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Two. Changed for personal reasons. 

Feb 25, 2020 05:57 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Just one, for myself and 34 years going strong would not want it any other way

Feb 25, 2020 04:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,922
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I started with a big box franchise and thought I had a home for life but a year or so later it was bought by another local franchise (same big box). I moved to the new brokerage and was sure that would be my last move until about 4 years later when I learned it was going to be sold (retirement). I went with independents after that thinking each would be my final move but so many indies here are either downsizing or the broker is retiring that was not the case. The interesting thing is that none of the moves were made on the basis of larger splits, etc. but because of events over which I had no control.

Feb 25, 2020 09:16 PM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Two... I left a big box brokerage because of their caps, fees, etc. and went to an independent brokerage. That was almost 13 years ago, since then my current brokerage has expanded into one of the largest in the area. 

Feb 25, 2020 01:52 PM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

just one.  I can't change, my wife is the broker.

Feb 25, 2020 12:51 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Three, change is good.  there is no magic pill to swallow.  comfort in the environment is the key.  

Feb 25, 2020 11:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Three for Ron and two for me.  We then opened our own.  Our change was prompted by the feeling that we had outgrown the other brokerages.  A

Feb 25, 2020 10:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

We are with our second brokerage. We left the first because of the broker's indifference to community service. Our current broker prioritizes community involvement and is an incredible supporter of all kinds of activities - he sponsors little leagues, tricky trays, chambers of commerce, etc.

Feb 26, 2020 03:29 AM
Rainmaker
883,732
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

One.... I started at Bay Realty in 1990 Then bought it in 2000 

I'm like a tree...I have roots

Feb 26, 2020 01:08 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Three, the first move was to get to a one hundred percent company and the next was to avoid home fees and open my own company with a broker and friend.

Feb 28, 2020 05:51 PM
Rainmaker
343,050
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

I'd say that I worked for about 3 or 4 agencies before starting out on my own. At first, i was attracted to the BIG name companies - thinking that their NAME would get me in the door.

Feb 26, 2020 02:54 PM
Ambassador
1,452,869
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

In theory, 3 but 2 were with the same owner.  C21 was changed to Remax 4 months in.  I needed to change to Sotheby's to give my clients more confidence in targeting high end buyers.  Haven't looked back !

Feb 26, 2020 10:00 AM
Rainer
3,010
Kim Johansen
Kim Johansen - Springville, UT

Currently working on my sales agent license. Scouting for a great broker. Excited to enter the industry.

Feb 26, 2020 08:28 AM