Pros
After reading about the diverse interview experiences here it brings one thing to mind - they are as diverse as the people who interviewed them - and they sound like experiences you could have walking into ANY real estate company. If you're newly licensed you want to feel listened to and have the interview be about you and all you can bring to that office. But the reality is, EVERY broker wants you to sign with them - YOU are the commodity and they are trying to show you how their company is different and better than the next. So look beyond that and start thinking in terms of who you are going to pick not who is going to pick you.. That being said, I was evaluating my options for a couple years - every company was a lateral move - until I learned about Keller Williams opening in my area. I researched the company and got to know the people running this market center. I respected both. Not only that, but HAND DOWN no other company offers anything close to the training Keller Williams does for either a new or seasoned agent to expand their business. I was with another large franchise for 19 years and never heard one hour of the pragmatic, direct, 'hears how to do it' training KW offers regularly. As for the pyramid 'scheme' - yes, they have an incentive program for bringing in other agents that can pay you dividends or life. Smart people, because like I said, EVERY broker wants more agents. That was the last consideration on my list. If you're serious about selling real estate, don't worry about it - it's there, great, but focus on selling and getting all the raining you can. The commission structure is amazing - and consistent around the country. They can afford to offer the dividends for bringing in new agents because they run lean offices - and have a transparent, 'open book' policy for their market centers. The broker owner is only allowed to keep a percentage of the center's profit. Believe me - THAT is huge too - unheard of in most businesses. They also have a great website that puts your listings out across the internet to over 350 sites. I am as pleased as I hoped to be with my switch to KW. Great people, great company that understands what agents really need to grow their business.
Cons
Everything can be a double-edged sword. The company's 'putting agents first' policy means all of your advertising has YOUR contact information on it, not the companies - so your efforts come right back to you. And they give you a greater share of the commission than most companies. But that means you take on more of your own expenses - the initial outlay for signs, headshots, business cards, etc... as well as your on-going advertising expenses. You have to plan for that.