My wife and I are newly licensed. We've been out interviewing brokers. All 3 of the local biggies have compelling stories.
Just some very general impressions:
In our area, Remax is huge. I wouldn't be surprised if they had half the listings around here. Prudential is fairly big followed by C21.
Remax has so many fees, but they have such a good brand name around here and some of the really big producers. They have alot of agents locally too, which surely accounts for all the listings.
C21 has good training it appears and also is big in relocations, but this particular C21 franchise has a 2 yr no-compete in this area due to all the training they invest in newbies.
Prudential Gary Greene has good training and hardly any fees and a graduated commission scale.
This isn't alot to go on to ask you to form an opinion, but those of you who are an agent for any of these, please give me your opinions.
Does the big name really help?
THANKS!

2 year no-compete? Does that mean if you leave you can't work in that area for 2 years? If so, that would be a HGUE turn off for me! What if you simply didn't like the people in your office and wanted to make a switch?

That 2 year No-Compete clause is probably un-enforceable. I am sure the attorney for that C-21 franchise knows it but they have it there as a deterrent...., bottom line....It's probably bogus!!

They would have to sue you to enforce it & nothing will kill their reputation & recruiting efforts faster than suing an ex agent over a non compete clause. Like MDHomes2Go stated, it's a scare tactic.

I'd appreciate some comments from agents who have been affiliated with either Prudential, C-21 or Remax...I'm not really too concerned about the no-compete.

I can tell you, having just joined C21 that their training and systems are phenominal. Bit overwhelming at first. Just pick and choose. Great branding and recognition.

I work for a C21. Most people say C21 training is exceptional. It was practically nill where I am...Actually, let me rephrase...the person who conducted all the training was wonderful, but the way it was set up was terrible - making it impossible for her to do her job well.

However, from what I have read on this forum and on others, my experience was the exception, not the rule. I guess it depends on the individual franchise.

I am biased on this, but Keller Williams combination of training and commission splits will stack up against any company. But that's me, you gotta go where you're happiest. Best of luck in your search!

The right broker for you depends largely on your business model, which hopefully is built around your strengths and available resources.

If you don't have a business model laid out in full or aren't totally sure of your future success in this business, then you might look to a broker with very low fees and lots of training.

Also beware that not all offices within a given company are equal. For example Re/Max office A might be great, while Re/Max office B might be lacking in some respects. The same goes for Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, etc.

Anyhow, your first order of business is to ask yourself how you intend to get clients. Your skills in the various methods of doing so plus yoru cash reserves will largely dictate which kind of broker (if any) is best for you.

I am with C21 for 2 years and the training is great. We also not have lead router system and leads come directly to our cell phones and we do not have to do floor time. We a re now at the top of the market (our company).

I would try to find agents in your area that work for each company you are considering. As JFlynn said, the companies vary greatly from office to office because they are franchises, each independently owned & operated. Just look at the differences in SiberianWinter's response v. RealtorBarbaraT re: C21 training. I just hired a former C21 agent that has been in the business a very short time & received no training whatsoever.

I would ask each company what their turnover rate is. I would also ask to look at a training matrix & attend a training session. You don't really know what "phenomenal" training is until you experience it firsthand. "Phenomenal" is subjective. You need to find a training that fits YOUR business model. If you have prior sales experience then you probably don't need a training program that emphasizes sales skills (although there are very few RE companies that focus on those skills anyway).

And to answer your question: IMO, the big name means nothing if you are out there doing what you should be doing to generate YOUR OWN business. If you are not a go-getter then you may be better suited for company where you have floor duty in hopes of getting leads.

True, there will always be variations within each agency. But part of what makes KW great is that the entire company culture is training focused. Nationally, each KW office holds 3-4 trainings per week. Even though each office is independently owned, there is very much a top down focus from corporate when it comes to training.

However I will say, whatever the amount of training you receive you need to implement it. Training is only good if you put it into action.

OK. I have had my license since the beginning of 2005 and I started at a C21 office here. Their training was good but when I got out in the real world, they really weren't there for me much. I then switched to Prudential in February of this year and I have been doing much better. Maybe it's the atmosphere or the management, I'm not sure. But I am much happier where I am at now! I don't mind the gradual commission increase structures. I have heard of some crazy commission structures before too! If you are new, you are going to want some kind of training along with maybe a way to get leads through your company (floor time). Just my two cents.

Im my world, every new agent would serve a two year apprenticeship with one-on-one supervision and training.
I would reccomend that new agents join a team for the first year or two until you figure out what's what.

My wife and I have decided to be a team and join Prudential Gary Greene at the Clear Lake office in Houston. They seem to offer the best combination of training, reasonable splits, no franchise fee and have a large market share in Houston. We're looking forward to getting started.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, advice and comments!