an office is as good as the agents who work there..... I'd select the nonfranchised office..... I've managed both and we had the strongest office with the mom and pop office...

I have always been independent, not sure how to be part of something else.

See my picture.. I have a smile on my face because I am Independent and able to make decisions about who, what, when, where, how, and why I want to work. Need I say more.

I have my own brokerage and it is a 'Door Numero Uno'. I am not interested in the headaches that go with expansion, and in my area, a lot of mega-offices have shuttered, their top producers opened their own shops and are every bit as competitive with the 'names'.  My main objective was and is a great career and a full life of prosperity and autonomy. And I have it.

Tim,

We have always been independent.  It really depends on you and what would make you happy.  A

It depends on the franchise options for me and a high ranking website means nothing if the agents don't work the leads

I'm not sure your premise is correct but likely option 1.  

Why do you have less of a chance for growth if not franchised? We have been independent for 30 years and give the franchises a run for their money every day without being chained to their costs and restrictions. 

1. 1. but less opportunity for growth
2. opportunities for growth and attracting reps is much larger.

You need to know what you love and what loves you back.

Do you see yourself changing lives through the transformations of a heart centered business or do you see yourself delivering outcomes that are the result of an expertise based business?

Finally, what does your business plan say? Is your plan to  build an enterprise to sell then retire to something you REALLY want to do?

Independent where I can do what is best for my clients, myself and my family.  I've worked in corporate environments and there can be benefits, but I don't seem to need those these days. 

Forget the Franchise!!!!

I've always been a franchise guy . People complain about the royalty fees , but in most years I got that back via out of area agent referrals !

The private business that let's me make all the rules (except laws, of course).

 I think it depends on what kind of agents you want to attract as "reps".  New agents tend to gravitate to the franchises, thinking they are going to get better support and training.  Veteran agents seem to gravitate more to the agencies that offer them the most independence.  

Oh, having been part of both, there is NO CONTEST!!! Door Number One!!! Money, headaches, babysitting, corporate rules and regs . . . I do real estate because decades in corporate America made me want to be my own boss. 

Tim Shepard I would remain independent with more opportunity for growth.

Ran Right Realty makes its own path....

I don't believe that having a well run private brokerage would limit the opportunity for growth.  And, that's what I would choose.

It would depend upon the results of a comprehensive analysis of both options.

I own a Century 21 office and I love the freedom of being independently owned and operated plus accessing technology I could never do on my own.

 I own my company under a franchise.    

An office is as good as the managing broker and his/her selection of affiliated agents. As to franchise or nonfranchise, choose carefully. One size does not fit all!

parked and reading

We did the former and we very pleased with the control we had over our business.

RE/MAX.

I have not thought of it. Probably a non franchise.

Either path has its plusses and minuses.  I know teams that have gone from franchise to independent, and from independent to franchise.  If going with a franchise, read the fine print.

I do own my own and no, a big franchise isn't geting my money

I would be a non-franchise company and boutique type business focus.

Tim Shepard - I'd prefer the later. Why to reinvent the wheel when the systems are already in place?

I would open an independent office. 

Not sure that your assumptions are correct about opportunites to grow existing only with a franchise affiliation. 

not sure that the well branded private business is the one with less opportunity for growth - 

Nonfranchised... responsible for myself and accountable to myself.

I operated under an independent and the training was just not there.  Now I am with a firm that lets me still have that independence and I don't worry about training, E & O insurance, rent and so on

Most people I know who have their own brokerage do it to get out of the corporate rules and regs.

Opening my own company whether independent or franchise was never my goal.  So my answer is it depends on your personal goals.

The first one without question.

The former rather than the latter, but then again, I've owned businesses all of my life. I like it small and customizable.

The first choice ... not interested in corporate bs or office drama.  

Door #1 - you are then responsible and reap the benefits of the work you put into it and without the rules and regulations of a company that might not have you as their #1 priority.

Hi Tim - We chose Door #1 and have never regretted it. Building abig brokerage was never our goal - we just wanted a better environment to grow our own business.