Hi everyone, first post here with a typical new agent dilemma. I've interviewed with 5 brokers and none have struck me as being "the one" with the right fit for me. I don't think I will know until I start somewhere.

Anyway, two brokers are right at the top of my list. They are top 3 nationally in size with one major difference. One office has about 250 agents and the other has 12. The 250 agent broker has what appears to be a better local market penetration, but they are both big names nonetheless.

I have no idea which would offer the greater advantage if the training and split is comparable.
I'm already learning so much just by browsing, very nice board.

Thanks in advance for the help.

-B

Office sizes are definitely an important issue to me. I'd never want to be in an office with over 200 other agents. When you have a problem, how much time do you think that broker will give you?

My office is just 20 agents. I was the first new agent in over 4 years. In those 4 years, the office had lost 20 agents leaving the business. Since I've been there no one new has come in.

If both brokerages have a good market share, that says a lot about the 12 agent office. I like to be around productive people. It makes me work harder to be more like them. No one wants to be the less productive agent in the office.

Is the 250 agents in just one location? To me that seems HUGE!. I wouldn't want to be in that large of an office. My company is very large also. 2nd largest RE/MAX franchise. But each office is rather small. My local office is about 23 people. All producers.

If you are in an office of 250 agents and they are in one location you might not have a chance to do much floor time if that's something you want to do.

I think I would go with the 12 agents if the market penetration is fairly good. And depending what training you get.

Hey guys, thank you for the responses!

The large office is like a beehive of activity and new agents are put into a support team with a top producer that provides initial and ongoing guidance.

There is no desk duty there...agents are expected to create their own leads by using their system.

I am very much leaning towards the last place I interviewed with yesterday though. 30 agents, smaller co. but top 2 in total metro. mkt penetration, and the office is less than 5min from home. Maybe 10 of the 30 are there regularly while the others are part time etc.

The one thing that is scaring me away from the 12 person office is that despite being maybe 2nd largest national broker, here they just don't have the market share that the others have.

This is very much helping me get a clearer picture of what will work best for me. I'll be taking the weekend to make my final decision.

Thanks again for the input.

Market share is a good tool to use when trying to get listings. I'm lucky in that my office has an awesome market share and is a great atmosphere was well.

When I had my license before, I worked in both scenarios. Although, never in an office with 250 agents. I don't think there are that many agents in my whole area! The broker I will be associating with has only 2 FT agents, himself included, and one part time agent. And he has an amazing market share. Even against the 'big names' that are out there. I will join as a FT agent. I much prefer the 'family' feel of a smaller office. Everyone works together without stepping on toes or back stabbing. I've been on the receiving end of that before and it is no fun. Anyway, I am excited to be here and am looking forward to sharing and learning from everyone!

Lora