I'm an indie and would not consider changing it. But everyone's situation is different. You just need to do what works for you. One foot in front of the other and the Universe has this uncanny way of opening the right doors.

I was NEVER happy with a big box corporate office. Never. I just did not feel like I fit any of the corporate cultures.  That is among the many reasons I left corporate America. 

I went independent in January 2012.  I love it. As for medical issues. I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in May 2012.  I worked the entire time through 6 surgeries and chemo.  I was also working exclusively short sales at the time.  I share that because health issues may only "get in our way" if we allow them.  I don't know what your health concerns are. Be very careful about jumping ship into a big company.  My sense is that you will not be happy.  

I wish you all the best!!!

One option you haven't considered (according to your write-up) is hiring a managing broker or a manager to take over the day to day operations.  Let them worry about transactions and office crap while you focus on your health and family and get a percentage of the business.  Do you think Keller and Williams run everything for their brand?  No, they delegate.

Big companies come with lots of red tape and big rules and regulations on what you can and cannot do.  You may find yourself longing for the freedom of the mom and pop company that you owned.

I think it's hard after being the owner for a long time to make the move to corporate. That goes for any business. I was in corporate real estate for 2 years when I first started. I received good advice & grew there but that only took me so far. Since 2008 I have been with a non-corporate affiliated company where the agents work independently. I've done better since the move & I have never regretted the decision. 

Are you happy?
Yes I am. Why? Because they leave me alone!

Why did you choose?
The cost compared to running my own office was nearly a 'no-brainer."  The REMAX philosophy is to let agents run their own business and not get in their way. The has created for agents a greater latitude for designing their own business. Be aware, REMAX offices are independently owned and operated. So a visionary broker is essential.

Benefits?

1. The brand is synonymous with real estate, I don't spend a fraction of a second explaining REMAX.  But those under the Inter-Galactic Real Estate Team need to know how to dance. Where many words exist, transgression occurs.

2. I run the business I want not the business dictated by the white towers.

3. I'm in business WITH REMAX not FOR REMAX.

4. No newbies recruited. This means you can have trust knowing the REMAX agent has the experience to solve the problem. That's an important message when many brokerages disguise their overwhelming recruitment of ships looking for a rock by cloaking relationship.

I might ask, Secession is always an important issue. Who is the #2 in your existing operation? 

Being my own brokerage is so much more enjoyable than being a part of someone's brand!

Strong branding but lots of independence are cornerstones for ReMax and KW. There may be other choices in your area to research!  

i've been in real estate for 39 years.... I'm with RE/MAX and have been for 22 years.... it's just like owning your own office and not worrying about the rent or electric bill ....you pay your own marketing expenses....make your own decisions on EVERYTHING....

many in our office were previously Broker/Owners.... they didn't want the headaches...

Why not consider bringing in someone to manage for you?  You have built up your name and since it has been going "fantastic" it would really be  a shame to let all that hard work go to waste. 

Sounds like you have a lot of advice from our Rain friends.  Now it's time to reflect on what makes sense for you and your family.  Good luck.

Perhaps like Corinne Guest, Managing Broker mentioned you need to identify where your stress is coming from.  Then seek the solution, as the right one will show up.

We have worked with smaller independent companies, and in our final years opened our own.  A

I like my brand because everyone knows it. At RM you basically work for yourself under the umbrella. I don't have to teach anyone anything & as Annette puts it so well - they leave me alone.

     I worked with two of the Big Companies in the 1980's and early 1990's, before opening my company.  With respect to my friends at Remax and KW and Sotheby's, etc. I would never go back to working under another Broker.

     When/if my company becomes too much to handle, I would consider taking on a licensed Broker as the managing partner, or hiring someone else to oversee the day to day operations.   Second choice would be to refer everything out (I already refer out a lot of my business).

     Best to you in whatever you decide... you obviously need a break or a change in routine.

After running several mom and pop companies for the past 30 years, I decided to go corporate for my Real Estate sales expansion, and so glad that I chose KW, just wish I had done it sooner.

You have many great answers here.

Excellent question for this forum.  I hope this brings light to your decision.  Good luck.

Stress cause may indicate either too much or too little efforts and approach. Stress in and of itself is good but mishandling of it is bad. Examine all personal & professional operations, modify, eliminate or update some beliefs

I only worked with two larger companies and neither offered the support or training a young agent needs. I was in my early years with both companies. I've been independent for most of my career, and it works for me. There is stress, but it hasn't caused me any additional issues. Your situtation sounds a little different. With health issues and stress, you may be better off at a big box brokerage. 

I totally get the added stress and responsibility of owning and running your own business vs being an agent within a company. 

The only corporate company I was happy with was Re-Max because it gave me the most flexibility in running my business as I saw fit.  Most big companies have their policies and procedures and you need to function within their structure.   If you've run your own business for years then you might be frustrated working within a structured environment.    What about hiring a manager within your company? 

That said, you'll just need to interview agency DB's and see if there is a good fit for you and make a decision. 

Take a close look at what they "offer" and compare to other smaller brokerages too. You may be able to keep your 3 agents and join another brokerage as a team. It can make things a lot easier if you don't need to worry about broker compliance issues, office space, support staff payroll, etc, but don't take a deal where they keep too large a piece of the pie for promises or services you don't actually need. You only want to move once, especially if you have a small team with you.

I'm very happy with the firm I'm with.  they leave you alone for the most part.  The only thing they get particular on is getting the paperwork turned in on time.  Plus you can't beat their rate, at least not in my area.  

Good and bad in small vs big.  Just do a lot of research and try to make a wise decision based on facts.

Sounds like stress reduction would be good. If you join a firm, make sure you get lots of leeway in being independent and get a good split. Can always go back to having your own firm, maybe without the other agents, just you?

I'm sorry about your health issues and hope they are resolved soon.  I work for a local company so I don't have any insights on the corporate office.  If the stress is complicating your health issues, it may be something you need to do.  Your health is the most important thing.  If you don't take care of yourself, you can't be there for others.

I understand you very well. I wanted to become a broker but decided I do not need that liability and responsibility for now. I'm with a smaller company, on great terms, stress-free. In a future, I do plan to join a different company, but also boutique type, just with better agent support( to get rid of all admin/prep time waste) and exposure. 

You might have less stress and make more money by becoming a agent in a successful RE/MAX office. 

I think, it depends on the local market. Good luck!

I have been in the mom and pop business for 32 years. I am faced with these franchises offering to buy me out weekly. From offering me money to retire and not compete to money to manage an office or run an office within their company. Only once has the offer been close enough to what is fair and i went to their office to shadow for a half a day. Simply asking how many agents were happy, only 1 said yes and it was not for me.

I hear you on the stress. I hear you on running a business. I desperately need at least a buyer agent to work with me to pick up some raw calls. I handle all my referrals and the leads just do not stop. I have been a 30 person office and dont want to go back that big. I do need some hard workers and a lot of new agents i see want to be handed deals, not work for them.

I am not sure the answer and have predicted the day I move to South Florida to sell homes

Suggest you try to sell the brokerage take a few months off and decide where you want to hang your license. In CA 45% realtors have broker designation but few want to be the broker. Many lost money and suffer stress as the margin is small.  The benefit of joining a larger brokerage is network but most can strike on our own. Good luck.

What would drive me to hang my license with a brokerage is nothing close to what would drive you. Then again, it's never occurred to me even once to be independent. And being at RE/MAX what Barbara Todaro and Lyn Sims said. For me, it's like the best of two worlds.

Not in real estate, but prior I was in the corporate world.  NEVER again.  I don't fit the mold, so I'm over here beating my own drum and dancing like nobody is watching.

I work for a big corporation BUT the group I work with is my family. I think you can build the daily joy of working with people you care about in a big box setting. Some of the legal aspects will be completed for you, and you may not like the feeling of following orders are the start of pros and cons.  Can you bring the group you have to one brand and stay together? Interview the broker and the agents who sit in the office (the ones who work from home not so vital).

Why not become an associate broker and have a broker in charge.

Before you make a move, do some research on selling your current brand. If you've built up a name within the industry, have an active web presence, and your company generates leads, you may be able to sell the business for a decent profit and take some much-needed time off. You'll have to go through the non-compete agreements with an attorney to make sure that you can go back to being an agent under another brand when you're ready to return. Real estate isn't going anywhere...it will be here for you when you are ready. There's no shame in taking a break for your health. 

Great answers are here

Great answers are here. 

I have my own brokerage and can't imagine working under someone else, particularly a large franchise where I have to give away half my commission!

Wow, you are getting some great advice here. 

It's called the 'Moxi Principle'. Do what you are good at and want to do -  and focus on it, everything else, you let someone else do it.

You do certain things for a reason. What is/are the reason(s)?

Then look at the economics of your business decisions. Adjust to what makes you happy, profitably. Do the math.

I used to co-own a small brokerage. Went to big box. Saw other opportunities. Now I own an operate a team, team members are partners, inside the big box. Have little to do with the big box - I just use their backend services because it's cheaper for me.

The big box brokerage works for me, not the other way around.

Many corporate offices will buy your small company. I can fit in anywhere so recommend you find a confidante in the company you are considering and see how it really is.

Too little information to help.

I left a company that was third largest in our state and started my own because no one after 20 years ask what comany I work for.

I can see when this happens with family, too much business, etc.   Maybe have someone come in as the designated broker, or have your agents go elsewhere.  I would not close your doors after 18 years, or go with a big box company.

I have a small broderage and I don't feel the stress you talk about

Wayne Martin nailed this one!

I've been involved with teams, but I keep things simple with tried & true processes and proper delegation. Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA is on the money.