Making a decision on a Maine brokerage. Any Mainers here?

[Charlie MacPherson]

I just passed my Maine Associate Broker's exam yesterday as my wife and I are relocating to Maine later this year.  Not sure where, but most likely somewhere between Freeport and Boothbay.   

As I understand it, east of I-95 is the place to be for a higher volume of sales at higher prices - though the average sale price is half of what it is here in Plymouth County MA.

I've interviewed with KW and Bean Group and am trying to make a decision between them.  

KW has the bigger company nationwide.  Bean has a 5% higher split and no $3,000/year (at 6% per transaction) to corporate like KW, so that's an 11% hit until that $3K cap is reached.  

At 63 years old, I don't see building a "downline" with KW to be a meaningful attraction.  At least not as much as if I were 30 years younger.  I think I'll be working another 10 years or so.  

FWIW, I expect to straddle MA and ME for 6-12 months as an ice cold start in Maine will no doubt be slow.  My entire SOI is fewer than 10 people. 

I'd love to hear from practicing Maine brokers!