I've interviewed with several agencies in the area & I'm torn between KW & C21. The broker at C21 said that KW is a great company, but their plan doesn't work in this market (I'm in CT). This particular C21 office is #1 in the area and really produces, so much so, that if you work there & don't produce, the broker will fire you. I like KW in that they're supposed to offer great training, but the C21 broker also said that they don't help agents to get listings/leads; you're on your own (which I thought agents were on their own anyway). But, I'm not sure how I feel about this profit-sharing plan. I had someone tell me the other day (a KW agent in NC) to put her name down as a "sponsor" if I sign with KW in CT. What exactly is a "sponsor?"

See my thread in the "Agents & Brokers" forum. I interviewed KW yesterday and was very impressed. The training that they offer is quite lucrative IMO. I haven't interviwed C21 yet, so I can't compare the two, but right now KW is at the top of my list.

As for what C21 says about KW and leads, well, I think that applies to any broker. I would be cautious of any broker that promises that they will provide you with leads.

ya read the thread in agents and broker forum. I spoke with an agent from KW today and she said that at her KW they strongly encourage recruiting other people so you can be in the profit sharing plan but it isn't a must. She did tell me just like everyone else has, training is great there. The profit-sharing scared me off 2 but training is important. Just remember that every office is different so interview several places.

I signed up with KW last month. I just completed 1 week of new agent training. It was great!! In my office I will be continuing a 2 hour 4 day a week training for the next 2 months (not 100% of length). I done 2 weeks of that training already. Just to be trained is worth it to me. In my office the trainer was a mega agent from AZ who was doing 60 transactions a year. They also have online traning on their website. What I've learning is like gold, and I am not even a new agent. I became agent in 1998, and was doing about 13 transasctions a year in Southern California. There are several other people in my training class like me who is experienced and moved from other companies. I am envious of the new agents who are starting there, they have such a good start.
Regarding the recruiting, my office has told me how it works, and the benefits, however they did tell me not to make it my focus. They said if they were doing their job I would be happy there, and I would naturally tell others. Its not a big thing I have to do.

Thanks

Bottom line is to interview as many brokerages as possible and then make your decision from there. Just make sure the place you choose is not a high pressure place to produce and it offers GREAT training!!!! Your first year is critical!

I second the fact to read the thread on KW in the other forum as I posted in there as well. I am a new agent and have had my license for like 3 weeks and I interviewed about 4 different brokers including a local C21, which this C21 is top 10 in the nation. Anyways, I went with KW and couldnt be more happy about my decision. I feel very at home there and everyone is a great help. The training is fantastic, it just seems the KW philosophy is all about YOU the agent! As for the recruiting and profit share, thats just and added perk if you want to recruit. Its hardley ever discussed or pushed at my office!!! Hope that helps....

bambam.

I know both franchises well. Obviously, I am biased.

Here my perception of the key CENTURY 21 System advantages:

* World's largest & most recognized & most preferred real estate brand. Every consumer survey (and I mean every) shows CENTURY 21 as by far the consumer favorite. It has nearly universal recognition (last year's consumer survey showed CENTURY 21 at over 70% recognition with KW at about 4%).

* Utterly unmatched training. New agents start with CREATE 21 which has been named for 7 years running to Training Magazines top 100 corporate training programs. No other real estate program is on the list. It teaches agents how to prospect and turn lookers into contracts. And, it is just the beginning. The Virtual Solution Series offers over 200 hours of free 1.5 hour courses available over the web. They are taught live (live instructor, screen looks like a Powerpoint slide, and students can ask questions). Topics range from how to use Microsoft Word, to working with FSBOs, to Building a Listing Presentation. Plus, one can take a host of NAR designation courses including Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). On top of this is any in-house training offered by the individual franchise.

* A superb national convention. Next week, in Las Vegas, over 10,000 of us will gather to hear Colin Powell as the keynoter and Howie Mandell as the entertainment. Over 120 classes will be taught.

* Power of television advertising. The franchise will spend in excess of $70 million on national television. Each spot drives consumers to century21.com where they can search properties and connect with an agent. Also, we have Spotrunner which allows you to build local television ads to push listings and promote yourself --- all on either local broadcast or cable tv.

*Superior technology. 21Online.com, our franchise intranet site offers agents a tool to build a complete business plan, send Egreetings to consumers, three free monthly newsletters (including one for high-end consumers and another for commercial property investors) which can e-mailed or mailed to your Sphere of Influence, a mailing resource (postcards, etc.), a basic contact manager, the ability to upgrade your listings on CENTURY21.COM with up to 20 pictures, build a slide show with narration and music, write descriptions in english or spanish and attach virtual tours. There is much, much more. Best of all, it is FREE!

* A complete referral network with guarantees the payment of referral fees and access to over 10,000 offices worldwide in several brands.

* Access to discounts for you and your consumer on things ranging from computers, hotels, rental cars, travel, cell phone service, etc.

* The best awards program in the industry with awards for both production and quality service. Qualifying agents get to attend the annual Top Agent retreats to learn from their peers & a host of national instructors.

My issues with KW are the lack of recognition and the shallow technology base. The training, ironically, came mostly from CENTURY 21 (Their new agent training is based on a program called 21Plus -- it was abandoned in 2003. KW's management training is based on a decade-old CENTURY 21 program called Orbit that has little to do with the current version).

Profit sharing really doesn't matter much either way. The average KW agents' check is rather small --- a bit over a $100 a year.

Staggart - great post, I appreciate the perspective.

It sounds like you've embraced the C21 model, and that's good. Would you say that most of your C21 peers do the same? The C21 office that I visited yesterday seemed to focus on "we're so big they HAVE TO come to us!" rather than training and solid skills. Needless to say, that's not what a newly-licensed agent like myself is looking for.

Go with KW...I should have chose them, instead of other company.

I worked at a C21 just like that. I got nowhere fast. When brokerages get cocky and say "we're so big people have no choice." they are generally content to sit on their laruals. And if they are that fat and happy, what kind of investment are they willing to make in YOU? None probably.

I just started interviewing brokers too and found Keller Williams to be the best fit for me with the training and technology offered. Maybe I will check out C21 this week and see for myself..

The key to understand with real estate companies is to understand that they are not template franchises like Macdonalds where every decision from the sign on the outside to the ingredients in the food are dictated by the franchisor.

Rather, real estate franchises are primarily the purchase of a logo. But, each has different backend resources. What I described was what I believe is an accurate description of the tools of each franchise.

Whether specific tools are used is predicated on the individual office. Sometimes, an owner operator only uses the logo and ignores the rest of the tools.

I, personally, like having the biggest/best toolbox possible.

I started with C21 as a new agent and did not like it at all. The training at c21 online was horrible. It was very basic stuff and i got nothing out of it. I think starting at C21 slowed my career as a new agent. I moved over to REMAX and love it. I hear very good things about KW as well. I do not know anybody that started at C21 that stayed longer than a year.

smgardner --

I highly disgree with your description of the CENTURY 21 System training.

I have a very strong team --- built around the training available --- CREATE 21 (new agents), BLAST (prospecting coaching), Virtual Solution Series (short classes on an array of topics) and the live convention available at convention.

I'm at our national convention today and I'm doing a CRB course and have a host of agents doing classes, including the ABR.

I think you are describing your experience with a particular agency. Be careful about downgrading the entire franchise.

Regards,

I went through the Create21 training. I paid 400.00, did not have an option on that and it was absolutely horriblee. It was sales 101, very basic stuff. We spent the bulk of the time making sure people had there mics on, troubleshooting soundcard issues and just covering very basic sale skills. I asked a number of my peers there thoughts on it as I thought maybe it was just my perception. They all thought it was horrible as well, some more so that I did. Sorry Steve if this dissapoints you. it just had no value for me at all and being required to take it on my dime just added insult to injury.

smgardner --

I'm puzzled by your references to CREATE21 . .

First, it costs $195, not $400. I just double-checked at 21Online.com (the franchise intranet site) to be sure.

Second, I just went through the program myself (I try to do so every other year to keep current what my agents are experiencing). We covered business planning, prospecting methods, building a referral business and niche marketing.

Third, there is a heavy emphasis on scripts, particularly objection handling, plus a complete set of marketing tools.

And, at our national convention last week, it was announced that it had made the Training Magazine top 100 programs in the country (no other real estate program made the list).

Perhaps you took something a few years ago??