I will also add extra emphasis on researching "where" the property is located, especially in KC. 

I'm not putting a huge emphasis on commission split as I'm ok with 'paying' for the training and support that comes with a franchise brokerage, I know I won't have a clue what to do if I just hang my license with a transaction brokerage void of any training.. 

I still have lots of room for improvement - staff appreciation is key and your staff knowing that you as the owner place primary emphasis on resident care as #1 will also be key (and frankly resident care should be the top priority as thats the only reason the business is in existence) and second most important thing is making the staff feel a part of the family and appreciated.Watch your cash flows - it will eat you alive. 

But you can rob yourself of future profits by putting too much emphasis on just this one, albeit important consideration.

And yet I see it is a very common practice, so I assume there must be a logical or historied reason for such radical over-emphasis.

I'm curious it seems Tim puts zero emphasis on customer service in his book.

That should at least tell you - its not enough for some, and it's overwhelming for OTHERS **Emphasis on SOME - everyone is not the same, so the advice in here needs to acknowledge that some people DO need assistance to feel comfortable investing their hard earned money, and others dont.Thats my experience working with normal, regular people who have anywhere from 10k to invest to 100k to invest - it's good, but its not enough for everyone.

Emphasis on simple.5.

Also I would like to have alittle of both but definitely more emphasis on the appreciation side of things that obviously that could change with more time and experience in this business.

Emphasis mine.