Charles: I am a believer that all agents are independent contractors not hanging out around the water cooler. I used to work for a corporation for many years, and that's not what my brokerage is all about. However, I do believe there should be a great relationship between broker and agent. But not like "family", but a good solid professional relationship. Agents helping other agents and mybe forming cliques in the office? Should be set up on an individual basis and needn't be brand oriented. Don't get me started on agents taking time from other agents to "help" them.  IMHO.

Not really.  Though I like it to be friendly and where most get along with each other.

I have worked in offices where you didn't dare leave anything on your desk with any client info on it and I have worked in offices where we worked as a team. I left one of these offices; can you guess which one?

This is a tough question for me.  I feel like my Clients and Agents ARE my family.  I'm sure they feel the same toward me, but not necessarily each other.

No.

YES! That's the one thing I love about Keller Williams. We are a family. I like the fact that we do things together. I have made some great friendships. Can not imagine working for another company.

Not for me. I am really clear that for me work is work...I'm there to get things done!!

Not at all Charles Ross it's business and often the two don't mix well. The office whose broker is the intermediary when conflicts erupt has a much greater chance of survival. 

It is not important, and it can be nice.  A

Like MY family?

Absolutely NOT.

Like the typical American 'family values' family, (kick the kids out at 18)

Absolutely NOT.

Like the families we see modeled by those chasing the American dream, where family includes multiple generations CARING for each other, respecting one another, setting aside self-ambition for the greater good....

"Where do I sign up?"

Mutually aligned interests with a 'more logs create a bigger fire' collective energy and mentality works for me. Family? too hard to FIRE them.

It is nice to work in an office where people are friendly and willing to help each other.

We do protect the culture in our office, and some folks are asked to go.

I think so.

Of course!

Hi Charles. Not for me. If it was a family then there would be drama and I prefer my work to be drama free LOL

That can be a double edge sword.

Not too homey and not to friendly casual

Can't go wrong with business professional.

probably does not matter to those you really know, you can take your socks off and they will probably still hang around..lol

Yes! and here's why: A close knit team will win more deals that a bunch of individuals who show up everyday for themselves. I'm new to the business and have closed 5 deals in 3 months because of my work family/team. Its important to help each other win. Lone rangers can only do so much. A Team can tackle a giant.

Well Charles it looks like the one thing that everyone has said it we all want to be respected and valued.  Now if you have a family who treats it's members that way then why would you not want to be a part of that.  On the other hand if you have a dysfunctional family, then it may be time to spread your wings and fly to a new nest.

I think it's nice, but not essential for business. I do think it will aide in agent retention, though. People always hesitate to leave almost anywhere "where everybody knows your name." A warm working atmosphere, a place that feels like home, friendship, caring - it's all good.

For me personally, not very important. I think of myself as an independent contractor and I work out of my home--rarely go into the office in any event.

I believe there should be a professional relationship. Personally I do not want to have to worry about trusting those in my same brokerage. 

I don't think it has to be like a family, although it's like that where I work. It's a small office and we really care about each other and help each other...even outside of the real estate business. 

I would choose the word "Team" over family. I enjoy being part of a group that shares a common vision and goal.

I have owned a real estate company, and I have been an associate in a few offices over 25 years.

I've been in an office that is like a family, and I've been in an office where the agents didn't know one another.

The key to success in an office that is like a family is synergy.  Synergy and friendly competition is healthy because it pushes us to get more sales and listings.  

I am in an office, Exit Realty Associates, where friendly competition is a motivator that pushes us to work harder.  The owners of the office feed the competition with gifts and goodies for the top lister and top seller each month.

No.

It always help to have an office where agents like each other and want to help each other out.   Broker loves you when you in-house inventory!!!

Good morning Charles. Half of my employees would say yes and the others would say no. I depends on the individual, my answer would be absolutely.

No but mine does and I enjoy  it.

When a collague closes a transaction of any size, large or small,  I'm always happy for that person and never fail to congratulate him or her. I treat my fellow agents as ladies and gentlemen. At the same time, I'm not living that persons life and don't get a piece of their paycheck. I'm very fortunate to work for a firm where I'm treated like a valued member of the family. I've worked in others where I was treated like chattel. Family is better.

Well, no! But our ofice is actually a real family, and I am not sure I am very happy with this arrangement.

I think everyone should work together and respect each other and what they are doing.

Charles Ross - that's one of the best thing to have  - a culture at KW is always the best!

Yes, it is very important to me. I currently work in an office that is full of great agents (well, most of them, anyway), and we all share a collegial relationship. If there is help that anyone could offer another, it is offered. If there is a question to bounce off another seasoned agent, they will objectively offer their response.

I have been in other offices in my second city where I have been a realtor (Durham, NC), and the atmospheres have not been as warm, and that made me feel uncomfortable.

You betcha. 

We support each other and cover for showings, closings, and other tasks when one of can't be there. 

We had a crisis a couple of years ago when our broker suddenly announced he was giving up his franchise and closing his office. We reached out as a a group (family if you will) to corporate headquarters and asked them to find us a broker who would like to start a ready made office with 25 experienced, high producing agents. We opened in a new location with a new name 3 days later and stayed together as a group or a family. 

For me No. I like a pleasant working environment without dissention but I don't have time to gossip and drink coffee in the hall or linger in the front around the receptionist. I am in the office to work and when I am finished I go elsewhere.

However some people need stroking and like all the chumming. They are generally not very busy agents.

They push that concept at my brokerage like no tomorrow but I'm my own person, with my own incredible team, so I ignore it. I might give preference to other agents at my brokerage but not because they are family. I do it because they are properly trained and supervised, plus I have recourse available if trouble brews, LOL.

Depends on what you call a family, but they should all get along and be willing to answer questions from each other to help each other.  We al lbenefit from that.

I have a friendly relationship in our office but strictly business. Otherwise I would give all my money away - Just like family. 

Absolutely not, I'm in agreement with Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®.

Nope, I have a crazy family, don't need anymore.  It's nice to have an agent or two to seek advice from periodically, but I don't need them all up in my business.  And I sure don't want to sit around the office and listen to how bad the market is or what their "no good" buyer did to them.

Charles, it is  difficult for a real estate office to feel like a family. Good question!

Hi Charles -- No, it's not important to me.  It is nice when there is a spirit of cooperation and people are friendly and nice to each other.  But as others have commented, it is business not family for me.