Thanks to the folks at First Tuesday for charting the contrasts of employed agents in July 2008 with August 2009 at California’s 30 largest brokerages.

Since July of 2008, employment has dropped dramatically, with Agents and Brokers now scrambling to succeed in the half-priced turmoil of spastic REO and negative equity listings. Those that remain full-time are the ones who have successfully adjusted.

Of note ..Real Estate Ebroker, with a 53% jump in enrollment. This San Diego based VOW brokerage offers California agents 100% commission in exchange for a flat fee of $500 (plus $135 for E&O coverage) per transaction.

Possible conclusion? Agents trending toward controlly their own destinies with VOWs.