The groundswell of independent brokers is making noise across America and we’d like to know your thoughts on the topic. Is it just noise or is there really a movement happening before our eyes? Indie brokers are being asked to speak at conferences about their methods and agents across America are calling for “raising the bar” by opening up shop at their own indie brokerage yet at the same time, rebate brokers are several boutique brokers are closing their doors.
It’s an uncertain time and the rise or fall of indie brokerages is up for debate. Please take a moment to take the AG Flash Poll below and we’ll post results soon and discuss your thoughts on the topic.
Cindy Marchant
January 3, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Good thought provoking topic…as I wrote in my comment on the poll…we are ALL looking at our expenses and rethinking how we run our business. It has to be considered, and from that some will move into an independent broker role.
Marty Hunt
January 4, 2011 at 8:08 am
After a couple of “training years” at ERA I wanted to maximize my profits. I went to ReMax for many years (seven years) and then spent eleven years at Realty Executives. Both of those affiliations were like running my own brokerage except I paid them hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Since the great equalizer has reduced the benefits to ME of having a brand or franchise, it was a natural progression to stp paying for expensive office space, institutional advertising, training (I was often the trainer anyway…) and to add to the profits of another business person. Charity begins at home, right? So I’ll keep the hundreds of thousands in my pocket.
I built my business by referral and most of my clients couldn’t care less what it says on the name badge. If I get the job done and provide the tools, services, marketing and skills they want that’s the bottom line. The Realtor Association and MLS in our market provide SO many tools and it doesn’t take a franchise to syndicate to thousands of web sites or advertise to get more leads than I can handle. I believe the independent broker can move faster, be more creative, avoid red tape and adapt to opportunities faster than the franchises. The consumer doesn’t care about the agent or the affiliation as much as they care about the inventory. For the consumer it’s about houses, service and skills and not about the name of your company.
I have many friends at franchises and that might be the best for them. I know MANY other top agents with big name franchises that are now independent and opened small shops or one man/woman shops. For agents, it about costs and benefits. For me I was able to increase profits as well as improve processes by being independent.
Matt Thomson
January 6, 2011 at 1:36 am
Someday agents will learn the difference between cost versus value. Independent brokerages cost less because they provide less value…generally.
The only sustainable model that I see is a full service, big brand, agent-centric model. The only one I’m currently aware of is Keller Williams.
Having the tools, systems, and purchase power of a big brand is vital to providing value. Being agent-centric is vital to retaining agents.
stephanie crawford
February 2, 2011 at 3:30 am
just a random post here to let you know that i got through 78 AG posts in my RSS feed tonight. This was my final one. Man I was backed up!
Lani Rosales
February 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Wow, Stephanie!!! Welcome back to the present, yay! 🙂 😉 Also, thanks for reading, we love having you around!