Best is very subjective. But I do pay attention to per agent productivity--that is the true test of a good company. As I'm affiliated with a company that has the highest per agent productivity in terms of gross commissions generated and volume of sales, I use that to my advantage in listing presentations.

I have always placed value in the numbers.... people like to do business with successful people .... and an office is as good as the agents who work there....it doesn't matter what the office name is.... the top franchise name could have an office full of dead weight.... or a "mom and pop" office could have a few top dogs and be soaring with the eagles.... 

I like to know all the production numbers of other agents....and I have access to all of it.... 

"O"

The office is only as good as the broker...and most brokers only care about keeping the seats filled...so they can brag.

Eve

None. i see #1 on the banches for agents I never heard of, it is so subjective...

It is nice to know WHY we are number one, a great place to work.

I find the people, atmosphere and managing broker to be more important than sales stats or bragging rights.

Not nuch. Too easy to manipulate criteria. There isn't a " best" of anything. Many people are capable of perfoming the same tasks.

It does help 'sell us' in listing presentations if we are affiliated with such a company. However, if we're not, surely there is plenty else you can demonstrate to sellers to prove your worth. You just have to know what you excel at and demonstrate it without being boastful. 

Corinne Guest, Managing Broker - worked with big names - so now, I am happy with a small strong local brokerage.

I know the "biggest" company gets some of their business because they do sell the most, have the most agents etc.  But when I am allowed to "compete" for the business it's easy to overcome their numbers with "our agents sell more per agent" "our DOM are shorter" "our sales to list ratio is closer" and then there is always the "and you won't just be a number, we'll treat you like family"

I've been part of two different brokerages and they both had 'numbers' to prove they were The Best Corinne Guest, Managing Broker.  For me, it's the people and not the company though all potential buyers/sellers do not see it that way.  We had done a Listing Presentation and that potential seller wanted us to sell their home - went to have them sign the paperwork (and in the meantime we changed brokerages), told them about our move to another brokerage, and they said, "We can't possibly go with you as our realtors, because one time, years ago, we had a bad experience with that brokerage."  I was shocked, because I hadn't heard that before!  Long story short - they went with another brokerage.  They had their house on the market for 90 days and it never got sold.     

The term "the best" is subjective.  I rmember when I was thinking about changing brokerages about 14 years ago and I spoke with some of my clients who I considered friend. They told me the brokerage really didn't matter to them, it was the Agent who was important..

Results dont lie people do

  No opinion.

I care only in that I don't want my brand (or my local office) doing anything stupid.  I don't care to get into a wiz contest with another brokerage when they claim #1 because it's all in how you want to play the numbers.  Most production?  Most offices?  Most agents?  Locally?  Nationally? Internationally?  It's a game I just don't care to play.  There are good agents and bad agents in every size brokerage.  I like what mine offers, and as long as it makes sense I'll stay put.  But there may come a day when it doesn't make sense, and at that time I'll go to the best fit for my needs.  Bill

Zero point Zero. 

BrokerMetrics is a great tool!

It's a relationship business - sure a good name and numbers can open doors, but ultimately people do business with people, not offices.

I do give value to the numbers, but I also like to know the source of the numbers to actually determine how much value I'm going to give to them. 

I am 100% confident you know where I stand on this.  

There are so many variables that one, two or three metrics cannot tell the real story.

No value. I am responsible for myself and for my business so no company stats at this point is attractive to me. No offense to those comnpanies of course.

It depends on who is looking at the company.  What matter most in our opinion is how the consumer (buyer or seller) sees it.

It matters to some consumers. Some consumers feel the brand of real estate companies matter, and even after promising a listing to a qualified agent, will give to another agent because they feel the company brand is subpar. I have many examples of that with agents and companies we have worked with, I don't think that having a large stable of associates matters to the consumer.

Number 1 has to be real, not just a figure based on acquisition of other companies, or paying a PR company for the right articles, etc.  Most sales depends on what type of sales in which home category.  We have seen all types of self congratulatory adds and news releases that smell of PR bacon!

In an ideal world, we would love to have it be the agent that would do a great job and one could work best with, but that does not happen in the real world.

A 

I put zero value to it because there is always a way to twist it.  For example, I'm the #1 agent in the world (named Ryan Huggins, with my social).  I'm the top producing agent in my company... of 1.

I did have a third party validate that I'm in the top 4% nationwide this last year, which is fun.  I did take that off my signature though.  Eventually decided it was a little pretentious to brag about it, plus I had a cool award I could brag about from the association!

In 1960- 1990 it was YUGE 

Corinne Guest, Managing Broker I worked for a big box company that based their status on market share. Our signs were literally everywhere. It brought in the business.

Very little.

That data needs more refinement.

The largest brokerage, with the overwhelmingly largest number of transaction is also a sanctuary broker. 3000 transactions annually with 5000 agents. When one of 'those' agents are on the other-side, you know you have to double check everything and be prepared to do their side also. Actually, it is easier if you do their side for them.

Statistics do not lie, statisticians do.

It is called vanity metrics.

I 'rely' on some of that info. Does it really help? I'm sure it does as some people want the #1 or the best. That doesn't mean that all the agents are actually the best but that's the problem with advertising isn't it.

Just saw something on Inman about KW vs. RM as far as sales totals. KW said they outdid RM but get this ..... RM wouldn't give them the ending #'s. So how can you claim that without a total number? It's just assinine.

Zero. I put value in the individual agents personal production, sales performance, knowledge and marketing. NOT in the name of the firm or how much market share that office has done. Many, many agents hide behind the name of their firm and never show their personal stats.

I am different. I love to compare my personal marketing, service, depth of local real estate knowledge, results and personal sales to any agent with any firm and let the customer decide who they would rather hire. 

I work for a large family owned, independent office that carries significant local market share but I rarely bring it up. 

Different strokes for different folks as they say. The important factor is the individual agent. 

I pay about as much attention to that as I do to the weather in other cities.

The most means nothing.

Trust but verify.

No idea.

Interesting question and great answers. 

Thank you, Corinne.

As a relatively new agent, I read these posts and replies with interest.

I come from a different world prior to real estate-medical sales and marketing. I have sold medical equipment, supplies, drugs; worked for the largest oncology group in Texas as their Biz Development guy in Fort Worth area.

Being a cancer survivor myself  (plus wife and daughter all of who had stage 4 cancers), I always interested in reading about how others evaluate ANY professional with who they are thinking about "doing business" with.

In medicine, specifically oncology (cancer), I am asked often, "Who is the best doctor for me to go to see?"

My answer is always a question back, "What type of personality are you hoping to find? The doc who holds your hand and reassures you all will be well? The so-called technical genius with no bedside manner?"

In cancer specifically, study after study shows a parity amongst cancer providers--in other words, their training and knowledge is perceived to be equal.

That being said, when it comes to SURGERY for cancer, my criteria changes somewhat.

I want the surgeon who has done at least 100 cases of any given surgery.

But, I also recognize that the surgeon who has been in practice for 20+ years is less up-to-date- than the new Fellow (medical terminology for a specially educated physician) who brings most recent training on the latest and best practices to the table.

(No pun intended.)

All this to say, surgery aside, the BEST doctor to choose, IMHO (as one who has utilized as a patient and promoted as a professional) is the doctor with who I have the best rapport! 

At the end of the day, I need to be comfrotable with the person in whose hands I am placing my life.

It seems to be, albeit naively(?), that the best agent for any client is the one in whom THEY feel most comfortable.

And as a newer agent, that is what I "sell"-comfort; relatability, compassion and a genuine desire to be of service.

Same things I suggest friends and family look for in a doctor.

(I apologize for the seeming rant. Clearly this was personal and I thank hyou for indulging me.)

I chose KW when I got my license in 2007 because of the education offered there. What's funny is that ActiveRain has been the best source of education for me. Learning how to blog was a game-changer for my business. I left KW in 2011 for a smaller local company for a better commission split. Then opened my own brokerage in 2015. Never thought working with the #1 company was that important. I don't think consumers care either way so why should I?

Hmm... been there and done that! In my experience, brokerage position in the world is not important. Buyers and sellers want quality over quantity.

Not sure, have to see what others say.  Good question.

I don't put any value ... I look at the whole picture...most often ones who say these things may have earned them yet it is mostly marketing.... one to one meetings are most important to learn if they are Jimmy or Tom ... up and coming or past tense etc.... 

I do enjoy working at an office that is known for great productivity, but it is not the end all.   

Not much. -Kasey

not much

It takes more than numbers to impress me. I have to know the people and know their integrity and the company culture and vision to see if it is a match with mine.