Many productive real estate agents eventually face a tough decision: keep grinding alone or start their own team. The natural assumption is that to do more deals, make more money, and grow professionally, you have to go independent. But what if there was another path?

Ryan Wilkerson, Director of Growth at the Dave Friedman Team (DFT) at Keller Williams Realty in Charleston, South Carolina, explains a better solution for agents ready to break through their career plateau — without sacrificing time, commission, or sanity.

The Traditional Agent Trajectory

Typically, agents start on a team, learn the ropes, give up a portion of their commission, and eventually “graduate” to working solo. They build a referral-based business, taste the benefits of higher splits, but eventually reach another limit: workload. Burnout, administrative tasks, and the constant pressure to stay available make it unsustainable.

At this point, many consider starting their own team. But the reality is, running a team comes with major overhead, hiring, management, and even more stress.

The DFT Alternative for Tenured Agents

At DFT, seasoned agents don’t step backward by joining the team — they step forward by gaining resources that multiply their success. Here’s how:

1. Leverage a Showing Specialist

Instead of spending weekends and evenings showing homes, DFT’s tenured agents can leverage a professional showing specialist. After the agent secures and signs a client, the showing specialist — an experienced, licensed professional — handles the property tours.

When the client is ready to make an offer, the agent simply steps back in to negotiate and close the deal. This system gives agents their time back to meet new clients, grow their database, or recharge.

2. Full-Service Transaction Coordination

Managing contract-to-close tasks can drain a busy agent. DFT provides in-house, licensed transaction coordinators who:

• Manage all deadlines and documents

• Negotiate inspection repairs

• Coordinate contractor quotes and scheduling

• Maintain constant communication with clients (at least every other day)

Rather than feeling “handed off,” clients experience seamless service, while agents stay focused on building relationships and closing deals.

3. Professional Marketing Support

A strong database is only valuable if it’s consistently nurtured. DFT’s marketing department fuels each agent’s database with:

• Email campaigns

• Client events

• Social media content

• Direct mail pieces

Agents no longer have to create campaigns from scratch or worry about staying top-of-mind. The marketing team ensures consistent, professional communication that generates referrals and repeat business.

Scaling Without Starting Over

For high-producing agents who feel stuck, joining a traditional team might seem like a step backward. But aligning with the Dave Friedman Team means keeping your independence, scaling your business, and gaining back your life.

You bring your clients. DFT brings the systems, support, and specialists that free you to do what you do best: build relationships and close more deals.

If you’re ready to stop hitting the glass ceiling and start scaling with less stress, the Dave Friedman Team has the platform to make it happen.