One of my favorite places to bounce ideas around is at Active Rain Members Only Posts. Other than here, one other place I go to gauge positions regarding "hot" real estate topics is http://agentsonline.net .
Just as Discount, Traditional, Full Service, and Virtual Office will be hotly debated until the end of time--I expect Broker/Agent Topics and commission splits will be as well.
For Instance, the way I go about my business isn't for everyone. I am an independent Broker, licensed to work from home. During my year of required sales person apprenticing, the only time I went to the Broker's Office was to deliver a check, pick up signs, etc. I never met a client at the office. I also never worked floor time. With both brokers it seemed a bit like I was in the way when I did stop in.
Maybe its just me, but I see a permanent office as far less important than say, technology investments, etc. Research capabilities. I know there are others like me, I just need to find them.
Some agents will be lost without "floor time" and walk in traffic. Some, like me, are allergic to offices and would rather spend time developing leads than waiting for leads to walk in the door. I prefer working by appointment and endeavor to meet schedules of clients and/or customers.
Now to get to the point. I vowed to spend a year as a licensed broker--alone-- so I could investigate and think about different methods of business. That year is almost up. For 2008 I hope to find 1 to 3 licensed agents to work with in a partner type atmosphere.
I like working with clients in one on one relationships. I will not give that up. However, I do not feel that "competing with the broker" should be an issue, as I plan to try a reciprocal commission split. Basically, what that means is that as an agent, I will make the same commission as other agents and pay a split to the "brokerage". After Advertising and other joint expenses, the brokerage split less a $250-$300 transaction fee will be split among agents.
We each develop our own leads, and pay for our own supplies. When we lunch as a group, or attend functions as a group--we go dutch. "I am NOT Your Mama:-) . I believe agent partners should be treated as adults and truly as the Independent Contractors that they are. No Bottle Feeding, coaching and mentoring, training--yes.
#1: I believe my model will appeal to those who are mature in the field, who have been used to paying their way for the most (classes, already setup technologically to operate from home)
#2: The model should also appeal to Agents who work trades aside from Real Estate. I will be happy to back my agents up.
#3: This model may appeal to those who no longer want to be active in the field, but would rather generate leads and/or back up field agents.
#4: Okay, agents--tell me what you like and don't like about this model. Obviously, it is still in development. As an LLC, Agents could also be voting members if they liked.
I had not planned to post this topic here until I read: I Pay My Broker Too Much, by Dennis Jonas.