Anyone here trained by Keller Williams?

[Jennifer Allan]

Carol - That is so true!!!!! I was always intimidated by all the posturing in my real estate offices and then found out little old me was blowing everyone away. There is A LOT of blowharding in this biz!

[dejaniera]

Margo allow me to first start off by saying thanks for clairlfying...I'm with Keller Williams too and I love it.  The training I receive is priceless -- sure the scripts are a little cheesy, but who says you have to use them? 

Everyone in my office is very helpful and I have never had the feeling of having to fend for myself...

Anyway, I think you've said it all so I won't repeat anything!

De'Janiera

[Waynington Q. Boogity]

Good posts on this topic. For a newbie, Keller isn't a bad place, but the effectiveness of the training is completely a function of the person and Market Center doing the training. The content is there, but the trainer must be motivated and encouraging as well. When a newbie gets off to a good start, Keller probably isn't a place to stay very long. They are one of the most expensive places to work. And, once you learn the ropes the most important thing is how much of your money you get to keep. Giving them 21K a year isn't my idea of "keeping" my money. Ask yourself, do you get 21K worth of help, training and support each year you're with Keller or any of the models that charge these unbelievable fees, i.e. Keller, RE/MAX, Coldwell - all very, very expensive?

[tony1911]

I have been with KW for almost two years....in my office i missed by a month mandatory coaching for a certain amount of sales.....no upfront money..but they take 10% of your commissions while you are in....not inclluding the 70/30 split
Even though my office offers the 443 training and 36/12/3  and this new Bold crap that cost 700 for every wed for 7 weeks....we are not required to do any of it...thank god......
  My office is pretty good about just answering questions...and letting me run my business my way.....and when you are in the resource room  you can learn a lot when agents are on computers or copying stuff.....I have learned a great deal from random convos in there........of course I read sell with soul and a bunch of other books....and spent a lot of time on AOL the first year or so
     The  point is ...kw is a family oriented co.......everyone very helpful.....and they have low monthly fees and reasonable splits. ...........the huge remax office here....number one sellling broker in Houston....just switched to KW this week...LOL

Hi everyone--
One of the places I'm considering working at (once I complete school and pass the test, that is--details, details!!) is Keller Williams, and I've talked with one of the agents over there who was just fantastic in answering all of my questions (and many I didn't know to have)...it sounds like they have a great split right off the bat (70/30), very low monthly fees as far as desk fees and the like (but i'm not sure what other sorts of things I'm expected to pay for versus them...for example, in printing out color pictures for CMAs and the like, do offices usually let the agents use their printers there for free??)  I've also heard they have great training and I was told about the 3:4:4 camp and other camps they have....but some of that sounded kind of cheesy to me, and I'm wondering if any of you soulful agents went through Keller Williams training and whether you think it's a good place to start....any help would be greatly appreciated! 
Thanks so much from (still snowy) NC,
Susan

[cbauza]

So I'm really glad I clicked on this topic...I just got my license and have been "playing" at KW for about 3 weeks now going thru the CAMP 4.4.3!
Yes, the scripts are "cheesy"...but I'm assuming that you'll have your own mojo and rhythm and only use them as a "template" for what you would actually say! I won't be full fledged until I pay all of the mandatory fees required by my state (which change daily, I might add), but they are willing to wait and let me network with them....
I think the splits, fees and other assorted goodies vary from each "independantly owned and operated" franchise so other than the basics, you have to make the decision as to what is a good fit for you.  I love the feel of a team in our office, but also see the ones who are on their own. It's all good!  I have loved being a member on SWS and have seen and learned alot. I think you need to develop your own personal style...my KW will let me do that.  I also was in training and development in the corporate America and feel that I can bring my love of educating people to KW and help with training.
I agree with Carol and Margo and the others who have all given feedback about KW...but it's all about YOU...and what YOU invest in your new career!

Thanks to Jennifer for all of her hardwork offering us a place to hang out that has a heart! I treasure SWS and look forward to a long and lucrative Real Estate career....wherever I end up!

Good luck to you, Susan

[josephBoston]

Another new KW agent here.  Thought I'd just chime in that outside of the splits/fees stuff it's going to be how you feel there.  I went chose KW because of our team leader. She struck me as a straight shooter, willing and able to train me, but at the same time there's no obligation to "drink the kool-aid."

I had no idea other agents would be willing to help me as well, and that was just a pleasant surprise. Some of it is just soulful help for the new guy, some of it is not as altruistic. I go to the office. I try to contribute as much as I can, and some of that definitely comes back to me. I may not know everything there is to know about RE, but I have over a decade as a construction supervisor, and I'm pretty good with technology. I go with my gut on who I choose to associate with in the office.

Also the nickel and dime fees thing, at least at my office, is all decided by the Agent Council, made up of producing agent volunteers. It's probably what makes sense, so those who use office supplies pay for them. The rest can possibly stay in agent's pockets as part of the profit sharing.

The rah, rah stuff is definitely optional. Some of the top people in the office are never there.  They get something out of being at KW, I just don't know what it is.  Other top producers, some from other areas, have come to our office to teach.

[Shack Diva]

I would love to give my take on "if I were to do it all over again" for you 

I have been licensed in two states, been with one big franchise and 4 small indies.  I prefer the small indies and competing brokers.  The reasoning is because you get more one on one training for your specific instances AND you pay less. (my humble opinion).

I don't think new people should be afraid of working at a 100% or high split shop and ask the broker when they come on (should have a good amount of agents) for an agent list.

Align yourself with independent agents (not teams or a team leader) for each specific transaction and offer that agent who SPECIALIZES or CLOSES that type of transaction a 50% split for mentoring you throughout the transaction.  So for example if you have a first time buyer, ask the broker who closes the most first time buyer transactions.  If you have a short sale, ask the broker who closes the most short sale transactions (and on and on.)

This way you can get SPECIFIC training from people who actually CLOSE those types of transactions.  I find at the big franchises you are being "trained" by "trainers" and brokered by people who haven't sold in who knows how long.  You can also pay for your training as you need it with those 50/50 splits.  Let's say you close two first time buyer transactions and you feel comfy to go on your own - now you are just subject to your normal split!

Another benefit you may receive is LEADS from your mentors.  For example if I was mentoring someone and I had too many buyers, I may pass that lead on to you if I feel you are somewhat competent and diligent and we could work the transaction together!

As for training with marketing - any brokerage is out of date with training no matter ho w astute they pretend to be.  Hire a coach to take you in a direction that you want to go (such as Jennifer Allen)!

[Jennifer Allan]

Welcome to the Forum, Diva!!!

GREAT advice on getting trained in an office. Absolutely brilliant. While some agents won't be helpful at all, many will be flattered that you ask and even more tickled that you're willing to pay. In today's world of real estate, even experienced agents are feeling the pinch and may be as grateful for the opportunity as you are.

Hmmmmm... watch my blog for more about this - you've inspired me.

[Shack Diva]

Welcome to the Forum, Diva!!!

GREAT advice on getting trained in an office. Absolutely brilliant. While some agents won't be helpful at all, many will be flattered that you ask and even more tickled that you're willing to pay. In today's world of real estate, even experienced agents are feeling the pinch and may be as grateful for the opportunity as you are.

Hmmmmm... watch my blog for more about this - you've inspired me.

Like I said Jennifer - if I had to do it all over again, this is what I would do and what I kind of did when I started in a different state!  I do get the opportunity to mentor from time to time and I am flattered and I do refer out extra business when I can to those mentees in the past!  I will look out for your post!

FYI I googled something and this came up high in the search.  I know the original poster probably has solved their question but I just want others to know (if they google) that this is a very viable alternative if they are go getters, motivated and not shy!

Best ~ Renee

[Jennifer Allan]

Well, shoot, Renee... I shoulda guessed it was you!!!

[Shack Diva]

Well, shoot, Renee... I shoulda guessed it was you!!!

I am new here and forgot to set up my profile :-/  I like how your formums are set up Jennifer, very nice!

[Jennifer Allan]

Well thank you, Diva! It's a phenomenal crowd... if I do say so myself!