Hi, Dorene. It looks like you have gotten some really great answers here. I thought I would add my opinion to the mix.

I started out at a boutique agency working for a friend. It was a wonderful experience but I knew I was missing out on something - just didn't know what it was. I planned to make a switch down the road when a friend set up an appointment for me with Keller Williams Studio City. I was smitten! I found what I had been missing out on...

Wonderful training - wish I could go to all of it! Care and culture - we have a second family now with our KW family. Everyone helps each other, it is a real team atmosphere. My business picked up as soon as I made the move.

The profit sharing is nice, but not the only reason I moved. The motto in our office is WIN WIN OR NO DEAL! I absolutely love it!

Hope you find what you are looking for!

Maureen, Sounds like you might be able to provide a lot more insight in answering this question posted by Dorene.

Why were you considering joining another company to begin with? and why did you 'rescind' after meeting with your Broker? What new incentives or brokerage splits did your broker offer once he realized your were serious about leaving? If a Broker is so 'considerate' and caring about their Agents, why do they change terms when they are considering leaving? This is more rhetorical. and just something to think about in our industry.

Were you able to review the Dependent | Interdependent | Independent Broker/Agent relationship and info at: http://www.kw.com/kw/company.html

Glad to hear your broker does not charge you referral fees like the other Cendant/Realogy company that is Blue.

Interesting again... For all we know, Dorene may be considering opening her own Brokerage office and wants to know what it's going to take to "enduce" (I think she meant 'induce' ) an agent to make the switch.

That is such a personal and individual question. To tell her not to switch to a particular company is not professional - in my opinion. After starting my career with a boutique firm, then a Cendant/Realogy company - which only provided training in calling expires and FSBO's and not in Business Planning and thorough Real Estate topics. Furthermore, as stated previously - Keller Williams Realty is an Agent -Centric company

Here is a great web-site that discusses the different broker models... some may be 'comfortable' paying a significant percentage of your commission to the Broker with no CAP limits and getting your to 100% Commission. ERA may be different, but other affiliated companies use this dependent model and sell their own agents leads to the agent in the next desk for a sizable referral fee!

See: http://www.kw.com/kw/company.html
Structured for Success


The interdependent business model of Keller Williams Realty supports agents and brokers working as a team to maximize personal productivity and company profits.


Most real estate companies operate on a dependent model where the broker provides leads to salespeople and then offers them a commission, or they operate on an independent model where agents receive minimal support from the broker but keep more of the commission. In contrast to these traditional models, the Keller Williams model fosters a synergistic environment where both parties succeed through teamwork, by encouraging agents and brokers to share their best practices with each other and reward associates who help the company to grow. It is these industry-changing philosophies that have fueled the recent growth of Keller Williams Realty past older, more established companies to claim a top-four spot in the real estate industry.

Dorene, Let's here some feedback regarding all this great info. Thanks!

Interesting question. Many similiar things are mentioned, values, training, technology, etc.
Besides the "bottom-line" of commission splits, culture, and working in a positive environment, only Keller Williams truly puts in AGENTS first at ALL times.

Just look at any listing here on Trulia and you will see that when you click on more details, it goes to the Agents web-site! Most other national companies (without naming them) have the details go back to the broker's site, NOT the agent. At Keller Williams Realty the listings and leads are truly re-directed to the listing agent!

The KW annual cap mentioned previously various from Metro areas. Atlanta is only 18K here, unlike 29K in LA CA

Hello Dorene,
I am loyal to my company as what I like about it is the team attitude. I am at the Keller Williams Wilshire Office at Wilshire and Fairfax. What's great about our company is the training. The support you get from other agents. Since we have profit sharing everyone (agents in our office) benefits when one of us succeeds. As we are a large company that continues to grow, we offer great opportunities for refferals. Also, our company allows us to keep more of our commission. After we contribute $29,000 (for example) of our commission split to the office annually, we keep 100% of our commission (less things like City taxes and such). What that means to me is more money stays in our pockets. The agents are the owners of the office. We are encouraged to build our own business within the office. If you would like more information about Keller Williams, please let me know. My email is mcarrabba@kw.com

All the best,

Monique

For me it's great training, culture and outstanding cost-benefit. I work for KW in Auburn, CA. Worked for smaller independent companies before which taught me to appreciate all I have now even more.

Interesting...I work for Windermere in Berkeley, CA and I found Windermere to not only have the best marketing materials, best technology, but to be the most decent company I found. I own a Windermere office and I checked out all the brands. Decency may not strike you as important in business, but it is important. How you treat one person is how you treat them all. Windermere shows that you can have a high level company with great success by being good people.

Hi Dorene!
I have to tell you that Windermere Real Estate in Rancho Mirage, CA is the most FANTASTIC place to work for!!!
I would NEVER think of leaving them.
The two Owners, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion have put together the best Offices in The Desert (Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Desert Hot Springs) and they have the best supportive staff of any Company that I have ever worked with.
Not only would I not leave but if anyone out there is looking for a GREAT Real Estate Company to work for, look no further than Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley!!!
Michele M Mayer
760-835-5391
mmayer@windermere.com http://www.MicheleMayer.mywindermere.com