Switching Brokers-- should I go big or small CRE firm?
I'm an agent in Texas that made the "switch" from residential to commercial sometime last year. I am trying to specialize in land sales, specifically land for development, but I'll list a ranch or a house too if needed. Really my "commercial" journey started at the end of 2019 since the majority of my residential deals were for/to investors and I was doing smaller land plot sales for mom and pop builders. I've been with my original brokerage through it all, and though I've enjoyed my broker, he doesn't do CRE at all besides some leasing experience a while back. 

About 6 months ago I landed a large client on my own in CRE land development. They're developers with ties to the big private money funds/Wall St. Along the way I've caught a few other CRE land investment clients as well. In theory, I could close $50M+ a year in volume--if I could get these LOIs accepted and keep up with client demands. I find myself currently struggling to do so. I'm not sure if it is a ME issue or a client issue (although I figure it's a bit of both since my large client can't meet some of the seller demands in this hot DFW market.) My broker is no help. I definitely could use more guidance, so my question is... do I go for the big or small brokerages? Or go solo (broker of record) and join CCIM/CREW/NTCAR in hopes of gathering some outside mentors? I know I can source deals and have a knack for grabbing clients through random referrals and chance meets beyond regular networking. And I don't want to be stuck in a back office pushing paperwork while someone else handles the business I found. Really just frustrated and want to get some of these deals through!
[{"id": "i6bv02g", "text": "If you are doing land in North Texas you should be talking to Davidson Bogel. Unless things have changed drastically of late those guys are THE land brokers in DFW by volume. Other than that, just start interviewing, make it apparent as to what you are looking for (mentor, support and guidance from management and back office, etc.) and DO NOT tell anyone who your client is. Pick the firm with the best split and mentor program. The really big guys will probably want to put you as an underling on a team. Don't do that. Find someone with experience willing to go in as a true partner with you and join them.", "replies": [{"id": "i6bwy3x", "text": "I\u2019ll try them, thanks for the tip.", "replies": [{"id": "i6byoex", "text": "What do you need help with specifically? \n\nI assume your broker doesn\u2019t know the answers to the commercial questions you have for him?\n\nWhat\u2019s your split now?", "replies": [{"id": "i6c6427", "text": "Yup, doesn\u2019t have answers. I\u2019d like someone to guide me when negotiations get stuck. Or let me know if I\u2019m not pushing a client enough. General mentorship I would say and someone to let me know what I don\u2019t know.\n\n90/10 $10k cap, $50/mo E&amp;O. I buy all my software separately. Though he\u2019s offered to do broker of record for me at $220/mo, no splits.\n\nHe is a great residential broker. Office of 100+ agents. I am effectively the only CRE agent here, everyone else is residential.", "replies": [{"id": "i6c7esn", "text": "How many deals do you have under contract with these guys? How many actively being negotiated?", "replies": [{"id": "i6ca61g", "text": "My broker? 1 under contract. 4 listings going up. 5+ under active negotiation. Moving the deal isn\u2019t an issue with the broker.", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6c2jsw", "text": "Yeah I\u2019m in DFW crazy to see how much they\u2019ve grown since 2018!\n\nI\u2019d definitely recommend a smaller shop with focus on land deals.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "i6c5m4l", "text": "Does costar track land sales ? They put out a list of top sales brokers in the area. You can see the brokerages who are doing the majority of the volume. Then go with one who has a good land sale reputation. I'd personally go smaller firm. Do you know any brokers in competing firms ? Networking with other brokers is a good way to figure out the best path to take.", "replies": [{"id": "i6c6y0v", "text": "Not well, they basically suck when it comes to land. Little sales data. Lots of listings missing. Also land still has a lot of smaller players from say, KW individual offices and smaller independent land brokers.\n\nI\u2019ve been networking with other brokers but too slowly! And usually they are at the other end of a deal I am trying to work. Not the most ideal time to discuss career moves.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]