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On Independence

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Realty Arts NC Broker License #235526

I'm on Day 76 of being an Independent Broker/Owner, as I hung my shingle out, at least digitally, on December 1.
What fun!

It was odd leaving KELLER WILLIAMS® in Cary, feeling mixed emotions after 7 years to the day.  I no longer routinely see many fine people with whom I had productive and fun relationships. 

Yet, I was, and still am, quite excited for the change and the direction I am headed.  The pickup in the real estate market helps with the transition.

Why?  Why would one leave a fine company when one had no complaints about that firm?

Friends tell me, "Great.  Now you don't have to give up all that money at closing."
Of course, I did multiple assessments of the value proposition offered by KW Cary.  Money was a minor factor, and surely not a compelling motivation.

They tell me, "Now you can do whatever you want to do!" 
Oh, yeah?  Tell that to my clients, lenders, NC Real Estate Commission, NCAR, Triangle MLS, my domestic accountability partner, "She Who Must Be Obeyed," who also cooks for me, and various other etceteras who may have opinions on my doings.

They say, "Oh?  If not for the money and not for the freedom...  Why?"

A reasonable question.  And not hard to answer.  For me.  A parallel yarn:

When I was 17, I drove my dad's cars.
I wanted a car of my own, so when I was 18, I bought one.

When I was 19, I lived at home with my parents.
When I was 20, I got married and established my own humble start at independence.

Like KW Cary, my parents were kind, generous, caring, welcoming, helpful and supportive.  Both did not drive me away.  I wanted to establish myself and my independence.
So, I did.

What fun!

Posted by

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___________________________________________________________________________________________

Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to Email MeQR CodeMike Jaquish, REALTOR®

919-880-2769 www.RealtyArts.com

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Independent Broker/Owner, Realty Arts

130 Towerview Court,

Cary, NC

Comments(11)

Barbara Tattersall
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (Keene,NH) - Keene, NH
GRI

Best of luck to you.  Remember, people come to YOU because of the service and caring you provide. The tough part is deciding on logo, signs and the myriad details to launch.  But once that's done-you are on your way.  I was a franchise owner for 22 years and after expiration-I turned it over to your former franchise.  I love the culture and opportunity-but we are over an hour away from "the mother ship" and miss out on a lot of the perks.  I've enjoyed this career for 35 years so I can work from my kitchen and actually give business away. The idea of no strings is becoming more and more appealing.  Your analogy of your first car and first home is perfect!  Don't look back!

Feb 13, 2013 09:42 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Thank you, Barbara!

Feb 13, 2013 09:45 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I'm so glad I caught this, albeit, 76 days into your independence.  Much belated best wishes on this move.  Love the humour with "She Who Must Be Obeyed" reference.  I have a sibling that is known as "She Whose Name Can Not Be Mentioned"  ;-)  Yes, there's always going to be the plus / minus elements to any move/decision, All the best Mike!!

Feb 14, 2013 06:56 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Thanks, Carla!

Feb 14, 2013 11:26 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Hi Mike, Congratulations on taking the step. I remember doing the same thing back in 1976.

Are you going to open a physical office or do you plan to work from home?

I highly recommend an actual office and hiring other agents. This creates a kind of synergy that will be very valuable to you.

Good luck.

Bill Roberts

Feb 15, 2013 01:21 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Thanks for the kind words, Bill.

I expect to recruit brokers, and that means, yes, I will have a physical office.  Hopefully, I will commit to one and get in by late spring.

And, to recruit, I will want to offer a safe place for brokers to meet prospective clients.  Isn't "Meet me at the office," one of the fundamentals of Best Practices for Broker Safety?
Sure, brokers can work from home quite well, but most residential zoning limits them from allowing clients to visit them at home.  So, conference rooms and a casual working hub are on my radar.

I have done transactions representing people I have never met, closed transactions without ever printing out the contract and agency agreements, have procured signatures on the hood of the car, but I don't think the physical office is near passé just yet. Informally, I think that 50% or more of consumers still like to meet in an office setting. That is not a small niche, and not one I will choose to ignore.

Feb 15, 2013 01:49 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

BTW Mike, I've "featured" this post on The Ninty-ninth Percentile. More people need to be able to "share" the good news.

Bill Roberts

Feb 15, 2013 02:27 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

"Featured?"

Thanks Bill!

Feb 15, 2013 02:37 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Congrats!  I went out on my own in 2005 and have LOVED it.  When I mean on my own I do mean on my own.  I do not have people under me nor do I want people under me. I work totally out of a home office and love it!  I like making the extra money but LOVE the independence of not being in an office.

Apr 01, 2013 12:13 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Marchel,

Independence is its own reward, isn't it?

Thanks for the Congrats!

Apr 03, 2013 11:34 AM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Mike - Congratulations to you! Being a small independent myself, this is nothing that makes you feel more proud, more satisfaction and more fulfillment!

Jul 24, 2013 06:33 AM