Tough Decision on Choosing a Commercial Brokerage to Join: Large vs. Small vs. eXp Commercial
I've been with KW Commercial for several years and learned a lot under a mentor. I started a team earlier this year and we have been successful with a few deals currently under contract, set to close in the next few weeks. I live in a major MSA. 

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I have recently been heavily recruited by eXp Commercial, small/local brokerages, and mid-size brokerages. As I consider these opportunities, I have come to realize that I have to leave KW Commercial as soon as possible because of the lack of market presence (in commercial) and because of the lack of training/resources/platforms provided from them. My thought process is that if I'm leaving my current situation, it should be to go to a much larger brokerage. I applied with and am meeting with the larger brokerages like JLL, CBRE, Cushman &amp; Wakefield in addition to smaller/local brokerages to get a good feel of where I should go. I posted on /r/CommercialRealEstate regarding this before and everyone suggested the larger brokerage, which I am leaning towards. Although someone I met recently told me that I wouldn't be able to dedicate the same amount of time as a new grad because of the flexibility I'll need to spend time with my family. 

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I am starting to seriously consider eXp Commercial because they have been able to get some top producing commercial brokers from the large brokerages to join eXp Commercial and now those brokers are producing higher than they were before. I was also told about a mentorship program where I can be a mentor and have mentees that pay a 50% split to their mentors for helping them close deals. Sounds like a good additional source of income in addition to my own production. I'd also have access to Reonomy which is pretty expensive to get on my own. I'd have office dues of $250 per month with 80/20 splits. I had an eXp Commercial person tell me that within 3-5 years, there will be so much growth at eXp Commercial that they'll be able to go head-to-head with the larger brokerages. I call BS on that but wondering what y'all have to say about that. 

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Thoughts on eXp Commercial vs. others?
[{"id": "illv0x0", "text": "Avoid EXP at all costs.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm2uc2", "text": "This is what everyone outside of eXp tells me. Everyone inside of eXp tells me I have to make the move, and I wouldn't be under their revenue share so they don't have a reason to tell me to make the move. That's why I'm torn between joining or not.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm311x", "text": "They tried heavily recruiting me a few years back. I was on the fence too. I am extremely happy I did not join. I would stay away at all costs, but that\u2019s just my opinion.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm3bk7", "text": "Gotcha, I appreciate your input. Are you with a large/mid-size/small brokerage and which would you recommend?", "replies": [{"id": "ilm3v2u", "text": "Started my own boutique firm. I would pick C&amp;W if I were you most likely. The fact you are meeting with the larger brokerages and still considering eXp is crazy to me, Lol. Those are two completely different worlds. Go find 10 brokers at eXp within your county that do $20M+ in commercial sales. I would be shocked if you could even find 3.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm4yhd", "text": "&gt;The fact you are meeting with the larger brokerages and still considering eXp is crazy to me, Lol.\n\nHaha yes!! That's what's crazy to me also! I am losing my mind trying to decide which direction to go. The splits at a larger brokerage are closer to 50/50 while I could get 80/20 eXp. In addition to that, the mentorship program I was talking about would give me some more income in addition to my production. Each mentee would have to sign up for a minimum 3 deals with their mentor. I have been told that they need more mentors in my market. \n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nBut another big difference between larger and eXp is that I'd basically be an employee at one of the larger ones, while I have more freedom and entrepreneurship at eXp.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm5exw", "text": "Feel free to message me to further discuss. I\u2019m constantly competing with the larger brokerages for business. However, I never once I had to actually compete with someone from eXp. The splits are the way they are for a reason\u2026. remember that.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm676s", "text": "&gt;I never once I had to actually compete with someone from eXp. The splits are the way they are for a reason\u2026. remember that.\n\nExcellent point, another huge reason to go to a larger brokerage. I'm still waiting to hear back on next steps with the larger brokerages. If they give me an offer, it would be hard to say no. I just don't have any offers yet.", "replies": [], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}, {"id": "ilmvr1p", "text": "Exp has zero commercial presence. Far less than even KW I would guess. Exp splits are larger because there is zero support and you won\u2019t win listings. Work your way up and perform at a quality brokerage and you can get super splits after a handful of high producing years.", "replies": [], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}, {"id": "ilnif3y", "text": "How hard is it for you to find reliable lenders to work with given the size difference between starting your own brokerage vs joining a large brokerage?", "replies": [{"id": "ilnktfd", "text": "Honestly, in my opinion, not hard at all. I came from another small brokerage before starting my own and I had 2 pretty solid mortgage brokers already. Now, I constantly have mortgage brokers from the larger firms reaching out asking for deals to be sent to them. If a $20M+ deal came across my desk tomorrow, I do not think it would be difficult at all to ask one of these guys to get it done. I could probably find someone reliable and qualified up to $50M, but after that not sure. However, I rarely ever even discuss deals over $10M.", "replies": [{"id": "ilnoclh", "text": "Ahh I see! I just moved into a lender role, and was trying to strategize on how to connect with more CRE brokers. It sounds like, from the CRE brokerage side of things, you mostly work on getting lenders through mortgage brokers (vs trying to shop around specific lenders), is that right?", "replies": [{"id": "ilnouxj", "text": "Yeah, definitely. When I start looking for my own deals I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll shop around with lenders, but for right now i just care about having a reliable broker I can pass clients off to.", "replies": [], "depth": 9}], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}, {"id": "ilnzect", "text": "Why do you say this? I'm curious", "replies": [{"id": "ils771g", "text": "Because it is basically a fact that they are a joke in the commercial brokerage world. Yes, I work at a boutique small firm, but many investors know that there are thousands of small firms across the country with brokers still pulling in serious GCI. Find me 3 CRE brokers from eXp in your country that consistently sell $10M+ in CRE. I guarantee you cannot find them. In my opinion, they should stay in their lane of high split residential agents since that is what they are good at. Even residential wise, I rarely come across an eXp salesperson I would actually hire on my own. They are the Walmart version of Compass to me, Lol.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "iln4dgo", "text": "They are recruiting you because they get paid when you join up.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "illx8o3", "text": "KY commercial and eXp are both MLM models.  \n\nLarger brokers will require a lot of hours.  You may also want to look at smaller or regional commercial brokers in your market where you will have much more independence and authority to do what you want.  Sink or swim on that.  No one is going to track your dials or office hours though.\n\nFigure out if you want to be in the recruiting a team to do the work business or the doing the work business and work from there.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm317y", "text": "&gt;Figure out if you want to be in the recruiting a team to do the work business or the doing the work business and work from there\n\nThis is exactly why I'm not sold on eXp, and KW is the exact same way. Getting paid on the mentorship side is intriguing though.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm4qel", "text": "everyone gets paid on the mentorship side.  CBRE etc have teams too.  \n\nThe difference is if its based on production or burning people out and collecting fees.  \n\nTo put it more simply, would you rather your next 20 calls be to produce transactions or to produce people under you?  If its to produce transactions that you won't have the time to handle you build a team as an independent broker, a team lead at a major firm, etc.  \n\nIf you are recruiting people for work you don't already have and expect them to find it then you should stick with the MLM firms.\n\nSay its just you right now.  Do you personally have a book of business to earn your own living and are turning down deals?  If yes go to the major firms, regional firms, or start your own.\n\nIf no, then decide if you want to fix that problem or just recruit people under you and hope they find deals and you get a cut.\n\nThats your situation", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilm4p4s", "text": "I\u2019ve never seen an SIOR, top producing broker, or younger broker with any potential leave a bigger shop and go to eXp. I know zero successful brokers who\u2019ve left a reputable firm to join eXp. And I do brokerage in most major cities in North America. SIOR is the highest recognition in the commercial brokerage industry. Ask the eXp office recruiting you how many SIORs are part of their company. The answer will be zero, for a reason.", "replies": [{"id": "ilm5em3", "text": "Thank you for your perspective. I don't know of anyone from CBRE/JLL that have made the move, but I know of several brokers from Colliers and a few from SVN that have moved to eXp and took their whole team with them.", "replies": [{"id": "ilmd1l5", "text": "Maybe that's regional, because ExP where I am is struggling to get out of residential.\n\nUnless you have a specific high production team, it sounds like you're going down instead of up on purpose.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilm8zmg", "text": "I would go with a bigger firm. Hours are long but I have a family an am still able to work my schedule around them. If you want it bad enough, you\u2019ll find a way", "replies": [{"id": "ilmaj5c", "text": "&gt;If you want it bad enough, you\u2019ll find a way\n\nYou are speaking my language right there. I'll make it work wherever I go. I have been doing okay at KW Commercial but I just know if I were to have the right resources around me then I can significantly increase my production.", "replies": [{"id": "ilnmo32", "text": "Get on a good team with solid mentorship at a big firm. You and your family will be set", "replies": [{"id": "ilnpo5h", "text": "Another great input! I don't think one comment in this post has been in favor of eXp lol", "replies": [{"id": "ilnqplt", "text": "Just got to weigh your options and get peoples input. I almost joined M&amp;M because I was desperate to get into CRE but all the senior brokers I spoke with talked me out of it. About 2-3 months later I got on with a big 4 firm. Network and rub some elbows and you\u2019ll get in easy", "replies": [{"id": "iloleq1", "text": "Glad to hear it! I've applied to the four major brokerages and have only had a phone screen with JLL. I've also connected with several HR/Recruiters/Brokers from all of them too and been trying to get my way in for more meetings.", "replies": [{"id": "ilpmyis", "text": "From my experience, it\u2019s almost not even worth applying. This business is all about who you know. Print out a list of principles, CCIMs, and SIORs around your area and call them asking to meet for coffee or something. Meet with people, see what company would be a better fit for you and pursue it", "replies": [], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilmdk8o", "text": "If you are considering Exp you might as well stick with KW, both are a dead end road for a commercial brokerage career.", "replies": [{"id": "ilmncu8", "text": "Lol love this. Definitely leaving KW Commercial soon and glad to get everyone's input on eXp. I just wish one of these larger shops would respond to my application sooner. I've been networking on LinkedIn as well.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilmg8ix", "text": "eXp Reality and eXp Commercial is absolute trash IMHO\n\nI'm a commerical seller, and if I see anything eXp approach I'm not dealing. I will boycott any and all, because there is no accountability, no recourse via the brokerage when things go to /s", "replies": [{"id": "ilmlhj5", "text": "Great to hear from a seller! That's interesting, I was thinking most sellers would care more about the individual broker rather than the company they're with. I have several clients that don't care that I'm with a residential-focused brokerage because they like working with me.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilmudp9", "text": "Ay man, do what your gut feels. I don\u2019t have a bias on either but at the end of the day, your hustle will dictate your success. I think it would be important to understand the fixed expenses needed to run your operation without a bigger platform paying for it.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ilqkrjr", "text": "Avoid any brokerage that started as residential. Shoot for one of the large commercial groups. Settle for M&amp;M", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]