Buddy Norman, with nearly two decades of experience, tells GlobeSt.com that the new group initially will have 1,000 brokers, all coming from Keller Williams' existing network of 75,000 agents. "These agents did commercial deals with residential clients, but they were under the radar from a national standpoint," he explains. "We'll provide the tools, branding and training and brand the commercial division separate from the residential."

Norman says he also will recruit commercial brokers from other houses. "We believe that once we roll out this division, we'll be an attractive home for agents at other firms," he says.

Norman says the move to commercial was driven by Keller Williams' clients. He explains that as residential brokers forged relationships with home sellers and homebuyers, they learned their clients also had business, investment properties and other types of real estate. Norman says Keller Williams' management tired of seeing commercial business going to other firms and decided to build an in-house division to address that need.

Norman says KW Commercial, for now, will focus on a broad base of commercial real estate brokerage, relying on referrals from residential clients. "Over time, we'll develop a national team of experts to focus and specialize in various aspects," he adds.