I just passed my exam (yeah!) and am beginning to meet with potential brokers. In one of my meetings, the broker said that Keller Williams is "a good model, but I think they require their agents to recruit 8 new ones a year.".

Is that true? The KW person I met with didn't mention that (I met her before the other meeting), nor did I read that in the new agent agreement. If it's not true, that's pretty unethical behavior on the part of the broker who said that.

Stay away from the Keller cult, tried it myself, never did drink the kool aid and left after about 9 months. They are the Amway of Real Estate, much better companies out there that don't want you to recruit, and don't nickle and dime you.

Ive been with Keller after spending 5 years at Re/Max. Im not sure where the "cult" mantality comes from. Keller is a very friendly environment compared to other offices. Its still a Real Estate company though. In the year I have been there, I have been to the office 3 times (i'm not that friendly I guess).

As far as recruiting. There is benifit to recruiting people. I have never recruited a person. Never tried to recruit another agent. My IC contract has nothing in it about quotas to recruit. Each office is different though.

^ I've found that people like to label things with unflattering names when they a) don't understand it, b) feel threatened by it, or c) are jealous of it.

There are no Keller Williams offices around here (there's one in the county to my south, at least 1 hour or more away).

Thanks for the replies everyone. I got good vibes from the KW office, so as long as there are no hidden details in the fine print, I'll trust that the recruiting angle is BS. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with being encouraged to spread the good word about KW or something like that, as long as I wasn't required to bring in X number of people. And frankly, the Team Leader I met with made a point of saying "you can do what you want, you're an independent contractor with us".

I'm been there for almost 2 years, and there is not such requirement of recruiting from the agents, yes you benefit if you bring some one in to the company that is all.

If I was a new agent, I would go with Keller Williams. Their training is great and they have lots of teams, I would become a buyer's agent for a few years.

Another Keller Williams, one I am planning on following up with the person I met with, but would like some input here: their website policy.

As a tech savvy person, I envision having a nice website. I know there's some discussion about whether they're really good for generating leads, or if they're good just to give
your name/self some validity. In any case, I'd like to have one. However, i do NOT want to have some cookie cutter real estate agent website.

In my interview with the KW broker, she seemed to say that you pay a Tech fee and KW sets up a site for you. Does that mean i'm stuck with their generic website system that everyone from the local office seems to have (after a basic search of their agents)? or could I have their standard website and one of my own (obviously referencing my affiliation with them)?

I have never heard of this recruitment requirement (sure, I can see the benefit of it but by no means is it an obligation). In addition, I wouldn't pay a fee for somebody to design a website that I know is not to my liking. Are you that it's mandatory?

You have a free website, that doesn't mean you have to use, I personally have mine and theirs. If you don't activate the site then you only have yours, in my monthly fees I paid for technology $20, Realtor.com $35 (enhancement this alone could cost you $90/mo) E/O $10 and for copies, I work from home some I don't print that many and it is 0.05 each.

I'm with KW. Been with them, won't be leaving. My office is crazy good. Open for 3 years at this current office, profitable every month. We outsold every office in the area, including the big names that waste tons of money on marketing and crap that doesn't matter. A few of them closed this last year!

The cult thing is just your typical jealous nonsense. KW isn't afraid to say the word God so people want to run with that. With that being said there is very little talk or anything dealing with religion in my office.

The problem is that we're about to move into second largest residential brokerage this year probably, and will soon take #1.

If you ever get a chance to meet one of the founders, Gary Keller, you will understand that this man is truly concerned with the client. He actually cares. You tube him or something.

There is no recruitment requirement. That's just another broker trying to keep you from going to another one!

You get to do whatever you like with your website presence, and you don't pay for leads. You are your own business. I have my own site, but the kw one is great. And if you aren't using your website to generate leads Keller Williams' model is that you are not acting in the best interest of your clients and you need to step it up. Technology is keen in the business. Everything will take place via the internet soon, so why not be there?

KW is big on training too. We have classes just about daily. Some taught by vendors, other by leading agents in the office, etc.

As far as recruiting, there's not quota in our office. We like to get new serious agents, but we don't want just anyone either.

I passed my exam and met with Keller Williams. Immediately I knew there was something different here. I have not "officially started" yet but have been hanging around the office to know how it works. Not once did anyone mention anything about recruiting quotas, you do get some benefit if you recruit someone-but you don't have to. I also asked about websites and such since I am very tech savvy and my broker said you can do whatever you want. I believe they give you a free website, but it seems many people use their own. I hope this helps you out.

Everyone: Thanks for your responses. I've done a lot of thinking and decided to go with Keller Williams!

Welcome to the team!

It is the BIC and other agents that make the difference in each individual office, whether it is a franchise or an independent company. And the company philosophy, operating procedures etc.

No matter where you go, your success is dependent on your effort! Please consider how much training and support you will get when making your decision.

Good luck and best wishes wherever you decide to hang your hat!