"What do you mean you won't have any desks!"

I am sitting in my car right now picking up wi-fi. I am between clients and who wants to go inside when the view of a snow covered Pikes Peak stands before me.

Love it! Now they'll have to come up with a better "status symbol" in the office than if you have a desk or where it is located in the row! For most of us, anyway, our cars are more like a desk than our real desk - why waste the real estate?

Raine, tread desks are a great idea!  Just wish they weren't so expensive.  Maybe the cost will come down over time like computers and HD TV?

Darrin, very few of our agents have a desk at my office anymore.  Sign of the times; everyone is cutting back on expenses. 

As for myself, I gave up my desk a couple of months ago after agonizing over it for a long period, and I find that I get a lot more done without all of the distractions in the office.

Good luck to you:)

Hi Darrin,

Rest assured that this is where future real estate offices are headed. I have been selling real esate for 16 years. I have seen the difference from being in the office all the time to now having an almost virtual office. Why do I need a desk at my Re/Max office? I truly don't. Wait & see how great your idea is. Good job!

Jeana Cowie, Broker Associate, Re/Max Real Estate Ltd, Bergen County, NJ

Hi Darrin -- 100% companies like Re/Max that have virtual offices, shared spaces, support home offices, etc., as well as virtual real estate companies have done some form of this for the past 15-20 years, so you are in good company with what you are doing.

Darren, other than doing away with desks, what is the new design?  Workstations and conference rooms would be all that I'd really need.  Having a desk just encourages clutter and we all have our home or virtual workspaces.  Please share the details with us.  We'd all love to know.

Such a TIMELY post for me to read, Darrin!  I am on the verge of making some BIG marketing changes and I am super scared - mostly because it's a lot of money to spend with NO GUARANTEE of return.  But this is what entrepreneurs do (and I consider myself one) - it's good to know that there's another one out there leaping out in faith as well.  And in this economy it is DEFINITELY a leap of FAITH! 

Good luck jumping off the cliff of safety!  I'm right behind you!

I think you need a desk..  I don't think anything is that virtual..   An office is still goood

That's the way to go! Sounds great to me, I'm about to do the same thing. Good location, meeting place for clients and a workplace is good. My desk & office as covered with paperwork so I usually go sit with my clients at a clean uncluttered quiet place.

Well there are some things we must do from someplace.  You know - like blogging.  I used to do it from Starbucks.  Time to renew my Starbucks card - and buy a portable printer & scanner.

Sounds good!  With the advent of electronic signatures on purchase contracts, we will have even less need for desks and conference rooms.  I have met many clients at coffee shops/restaurants and it works great!  Perhaps Starbucks was looking waaaaay ahead when they opened on every corner.  Brick and mortar real estate offices are on the way to extinction.  Good luck!

I have a little secret that I learned a few years ago.  WE DON'T EVEN NEED OFFICES!  I worked for a broker that had no office, so I went mobile.

I had my laptop, internet card, portable printer, an internet cafe that I frequented if I had to use some sit-down-space and BAM!  I was a success!  Opened my eyes up plenty.  Don't sweat, you'll do fine.

I actually dread going into the office to shoot off a few things because a 5 minute stop sucks you into an hour of visit time. That said, I also don't underestimate the power of networking with other agents, especially the ones you work with - they're the ones who accept your offers and put the first bids on your homes, so having a place to suck an hour a week is also good marketing. More than an hour and I'm not doing my job of helping people buy and sell homes.

I'm looking forward to seeing your detailed plans.

We have a large office and many desks. I dont know the last time I used my desk. I work from home and in my car.  I think this is a great idea.

I hate desks because they create a barrier between you and whomever is sitting on the other side.  It's a power thing, and I've never liked it. Give me a conference table any day for signing papers!

Virtual is fine, but we do need a place to store all those pesky legal documents the state says we have to hang onto for six years....

I am very curious to see your next post to explain how the office is going to be set up.  It's frightening sometimes to be on the cutting edge, but it's also a great way to be in front of the crowd.

I'm all about the technology and streamlining...but I've got to have a place to go everyday!! Staying at home is the kiss of death for me!! Way too many distractions!!  ADD is guess!! :)  All the best!!

Great concept and keep us informed as to how it works out for you. We work out of a boutique and it will be that way till we retire. But hey change is coming.