I made the decision a few months ago, that even though I could afford to maintain my current office space through this winter, that I really didn’t want to spend a fortune doing so! I’m paying a pretty pricey rent for about twice as much space as we really need.
After a little discussion with my top agents, my search began for smaller office space. I thought I had found the perfect space, only to find out that the telephone service that I wanted (that reduced my office phones cost from $350 a month to $150 a month) wasn’t available and would not be for quite a while! So, I started really looking at my/our options:
- I already gave notice – I have to move by 7/31/2008
- I hate the affordable space that is available
- I hate to admit it, but I really miss being part of a franchise somedays
I put out a feeler to another franchise broker in town and he jumped all over it: “Come on over, bring your folks, and be part of our team”. Oh h*ll what have I done now races around my mind. After being a managing broker for 7 years of a large franchised company and an owner/broker of a small independent office for 4 years, this feels really weird! Sure enough, in a few days I’m being recruited – I forgot what that feels like – not by 1 but by 2 of the companies in town! I had a gut feeling, but decided to “google” my potential new brokers – one of them is at least on Facebook! Whoo Hoo – I think I’m going to choose my new broker to affiliate with based on his being on Facebook.. some research and my gut. Some of you know how I feel about Facebook, and other social networks, so it may be no surprise that I would never go to work for/with someone who had least didn’t somewhat embrace the same ideas I do.
I was really dreading having this conversation with my agents, but d*rn if the first one I discussed it with didn’t jump all over the idea with the most enthusiam I’ve seen from her in two years! I hope the rest of them go as smoothly next week.
He doesn’t know it yet, and we still have a few details to work out, but it looks like my newest Facebook friend may just pick up an office of highly motivated and excited team members next week – mostly because he was on Facebook and the other broker wasn’t, of course he pushed a few of my other buttons also.
Have I lost my mind?
MARK Z. says:
Michelle,
I don’t blame you for making that choice based on that brokers social networking involvement. I’m a firm believer that within the next 2-5 years a lot of searches for real estate agents will go from the search engines to social networking and more consumers will find their realtors from facebook, myspace, and other social networking sites. I think you made a good choice.
July 20, 2008 — 12:08 am
Teri Lussier says:
I’m a strong believer in my gut. Can’t always articulate things as well as I’d like, but when my gut speaks, I give a listen.
July 20, 2008 — 6:07 am
Stephanie Edwards-Musa says:
Hey Michelle,
I just recently changed brokers and chose one that is quite a few social networks. I did some research, asked some questions, of people that had been in the business for years and years..
But, I didn’t choose this office just because of the social media aspect of it, I chose it because it was clear that he offered various information and tools that was not offered in the office I was in at that point. It’s just that I found out about it through his blog, Ar, twitter, facebook, etc.
Another thing that I liked was that if the office manager/broker is on social networking sites, they are likely to think out of the box already and be looking for tips and tools to offer their agents. It’s not like they are still trying to convince their agents to atleast get a website if that makes sense. It’s raising the bar and offering more ideas to help you stand out with your sellers/buyers and just be a better agent and marketer.
I’m glad that I made a move..it’s a better environment. It’s also important to follow your gut. 🙂 I always regret it when I don’t.
Hope that helps. It does feel kinda weird being ‘sold’ or recruited…and then the whole social networking thing. But weigh your options as far as what they offer. I’m sure you will make the right decision.
July 20, 2008 — 7:48 am
Michelle DeRepentigny says:
“I think you made a good choice” Mark, I really hope so, it feels quite strange to me to be contemplating this move at all and then when I sit back and realize what was the turning point for me it gets really strange. 🙂
July 20, 2008 — 8:06 am
Michelle DeRepentigny says:
Teri, it was weird, I was physically ill the entire night before the scheduled interviews. After the first one, I thought ok I can handle this, but I don’t particulary like it. After the second one with “Mr. Facebook” 🙂 I actually felt like a burden was gone and I got pretty excited. I don’t consider myself an easy sell, so ultimately I’m going with my instinct that this is the right thing.
July 20, 2008 — 8:10 am
Michelle DeRepentigny says:
Stephanie, you may just be my sister in spirit. I like your story so much I’m sticking with it:
“It’s raising the bar and offering more ideas to help you stand out with your sellers/buyers and just be a better agent and marketer.”
I’m glad it is working out well for you, and feel pretty confident that I’ll be able to report back that it did for me also. I really wonder how long it will take the rest of the agent populace to reach the point we are at? I guess the real question is, how long will it take brokers to figure it out or will they ever?
July 20, 2008 — 8:15 am
Stephanie Edwards-Musa says:
Michelle, I think Mark touched on it but personally I think Web 2.0 will separate brokers to an unbelievable point.
Please do report back, I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Shoot me an email if you want.
July 20, 2008 — 8:18 am
Melina Tomson says:
Out here we have independents moving back to franchises and agents going independent. People need to do what makes financial sense for them.
I wouldn’t pick someone just because they were on one social media, but they would have to have a decent web presence (not just a site). If they don’t, then it tells me they aren’t keeping up. It’s hard to keep up with it all, but I would want to work with someone who is at least branching in the right way.
July 21, 2008 — 7:38 am
Michelle DeRepentigny says:
Stephanie, I agree with you & Mark and think that any broker who is not considering their presence is in for a rude awakening soon.
Melina, We are also seeing considerable movement, I know of 5 independents that have merged or consilidated in the past few months and it looks like I will be next. I really enjoy having control over my business, but the economies of scale are jsut not there for me as a broker and moving to more of a team environment is making a lot of sense right now.
I don’t know that he fully understands the value of social media, but at least he is considering it, which no one else in our town does on a brokerage level, yet.
July 21, 2008 — 8:48 am