Day to day life in a large national firm such as CBRE vs. a regional firm in a tertiary market.
All,

I am a broker working in a busy tertiary market, generally low inventory but with national and global investment interest in property and pricing often times similar if not higher than large cities.  I have been a broker for 5 years now, 3 years in onsite residential development sales, 2 years in commercial full time.  I am mid 30's, have done well in both ventures and two years into my commercial transition I have been on the leader board numerous times even though everyone told me I probably wouldn't be doing any real business for three years.  I am confident I have big things in my future and will continue to grow in this industry for a long time.

My issue and questions stems from a nagging feeling that in my current market and firm I am being greatly held back.  Years ago I had an offer to join a CBRE firm in a large city and go direct to working as a broker either solo or on a team.  I ended up turning it down as I do love the city I am in and have worked hard to create my connections.  This last year I have been working on more and more institutional capital transactions.  I am seeing just how big the potential is there and although my company is nationally affiliated with the commercial department, its owner also has a residential firm that towers over us in production and as a result the commercial department generally feels like the red-headed stepchild.  We have 15 commercial brokers and we have been the market leader for the last 50 years, but the residential side has 500+ agents and their overall production is huge.  We have little support and I am the only one in the office making an effort for these larger investment type transactions. 

I obviously have a bit of regret in the back of my head in passing up that CBRE opportunity now that I feel like I'm being held back and I want to pursue these larger investment type deals more and more.  I am curious for those that have worked in both types of brokerage environments, how does the day to day office life differ?  My firm has little structure, as long as you are producing its pretty much hands off management.  Come to the office or don't, have a focus or do everything.  I am curious if these types of environments become so corporate and strict that it would ruin the enjoyable flexible nature of the brokerage business I am used to or not?
[{"id": "flu7m8z", "text": "Same shit different logo on your business card.", "replies": [{"id": "flukcdr", "text": "\u261d\ufe0f\u261d\ufe0f this. Work at a top two firm.started at M&amp;M. Once you learn the job the firm becomes less relevant because it's all about your relationships. Don't mind the view from the 40th floor but the rest is the same.\nEdit: job is still highly flexible.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "flub40r", "text": "I run a  firm similar to what you have described for over 30 years. We have about 15 full-time commercial brokers on the commercial side and 350 residential brokers spread out over three offices. We do some corporate leasing and sales. It really comes down to controlling a property that that the corporate client is looking for.  That is when you can create a relationship which can turn into more deals down the road. We also Focus on the 350 residential agents. My team is in front of that group of brokers at every opportunity. Any clock hour classes or your office weekly meetings you name it whenever you get an opportunity to be in front of those residential agents do it.  I preach to them that they need to talk to their clients about commercial real estate whenever they can weave it into the conversation.   After doing this for a while you will be shocked at the opportunities they bring to you.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fluwwct", "text": "I worked 4 years at a local firm as a commercial generalist and am in my 4th year working at CW as an industrial broker, in a secondary market. I get way more help in terms of assistants and I see way bigger deals through the network. Asset managers in my city won\u2019t touch you unless you are with a national firm and most of the big tenants are repped nationally by CB, JLL or Cw \n\nIf you want to get into major institutional investment brokerage (at least in industrial and office) you need to go to a bigger city and work on a team at a big firm. You will be in a much more sophisticated environment and be exposed to wayyy bigger deals. However I imagine you could still make a butt load of money starting your own investment real estate firm in your city and widening your market area to cover the whole state or region.", "replies": [{"id": "flv7sbf", "text": "Thanks for this.  I have some guys in the office that have started bringing me clients to work on with them since even though I\u2019m the least experienced in the office, I\u2019ve become the most experienced in the retail and multifamily world for large transactions. One idea I am entertaining is putting together a team to work on these transactions so I\u2019m not shouldering all the load and we can each dedicate a portion of our time into making new clients in this realm.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "flvqpdk", "text": "That sounds like a great idea. Solo brokers are dying out, it\u2019s all about teams now. At your current place you can lead and build a team where as if you move to a major market and join a national you\u2019d be the low man and have to work your way up....there\u2019s and ups and downs to both sides tbh\n\nThe bottom line is as a broker you don\u2019t work for your firm, you work for yourself and are the CEO of your own company, using your firms platform to leverage your company. I always remember to keep that mindset if I get frustrated with my firm or corporate or whatever.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]