What is it about your company association that benefits you the most as a Realtor? Is it the size of the company? It's market share? Its educational programs? Its affiliations? Advertising support? Which of these or other benefits puts the most money in your pocket and peace of mind in your heart?

At RE/MAX® International, having a Dave Liniger as your CEO means unparalleled publicity for such things as company-logoed outer space balloon missions, an award winning private golf course used for charitable functions, and satellite TV for news, information, and continuing education. But how much is having RE/MAX's balloon worth to you on your business card? Do your customers and clients choose you...or the balloon?

Coldwell-Banker® was among the first large brokerage firms to actively embrace the Internet as a means of contacting and serving customers, launching it's Retriever® program for consumers in April of this year. It is today the only national brokerage firm with a new listings e-mail program for consumers. Only Realtor.com and Microsoft HomeAdvisor have that kind of service. Coldwell was also among the first large brokerages to foretell the return of the second home and luxury buyer, implementing an Internet search and program for the top tier buyer and seller. Does being with a technology-savvy firm make a difference to your bottom line?

On the West Coast, few Realtors have the name cachet that Fred Sands enjoys. Known as the Realtor to the Stars, Hollywood's, that is, Fred Sands, Realtors® provides boutique-quality service, but with national clout. What is the name of your broker worth to you in your market?

What about actual employee benefits, which are nonexistent or at best, more costly, to the independent contractor - the Realtor? Century 21® Millenium on the East Coast has solved that problem. As of July of this year, the company is offering its agents a full benefits package - salary, health coverage, 401K plan, sick leave, vacation time, and profit-sharing. The caveat? You're no longer self-employed, but you can leave the worries of self-employment behind.

This is also the plan of Soma Living, a San Francisco-based buyer's agency. All of the commissions earned by the group goes into the till to pay everyone. The advantage is no one ever gets desperate enough to tempt the rules.

Are these salaried agents happier? Are they making the kind of money they want to make? If you are on salary, let us know. What do you give up and what do you get back in return?

You may be with a small firm of only a few people, or you may be part of a five digit sales force with associates from around the world. If you have left a company, tell us why, and if you love the company you're with, what makes you stay?

Let us know which companies offer the best benefits, and why you think so. Be sure to include your name, company, and contact information.

What aspect of your company affiliation benefits you the most?

Please enter your answer below:

Submit your opinion to see the results and comments so far.

Published: November 17, 1998

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.

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