Work From Home? Or, Work From The Office? Times Have Changed.

I believe my jump into the home office is about to start. The RE business has changed, the "split" and fees charged to me suck up much of my commissions. The "brokerage house" was not related to my actually getting my business, I figure the commission the brokerage takes from me on just one deal with get me a nice new desk, support equipment to work mostly from home. Two deals just closed and the over $12,000 paid to the brokerage from my earnings made my decision and conclusion to move to a 100% paperless brokerage this week an easier move. Only wish I did it sooner.

I can't get any work done at "my regular office."  The Internet is slow and there's too much activity and noise.  My home has activity and noise but it's stuff I can deal with and work around.  It is where I'm comfortable, I have all the equipment I need at my fingertips.

If a client insists on meeting at my office or it's just best to write an offer or get signatures in office conference room then I run in there for that specific purpose (and leave when we're finished).  I usually explain to my clients that I work mainly out of my home office and it seems like they all understand.

After 25 years in corporate American and going to an office dressed in business attire, I sometimes don't feel like I'm really working unless I'm dressed and out the door to an office.  I tend to work at home in the mornings, go on tour, do inspections etc in the morning and then head to the office in the afternoon.  Our internet is fast and I'm in love the high speed  Canon scanning capabilities and the beautiful Xerox color copier/printer.  Even though I have my own scanner in the home office, it is slow.  Our office does get walk ins and floor calls and since I'm one of the few agents ever in the office, I do tend to get some good business.  Would never meet clients at my home, but prefer to meet in the office in a nice meeting room.  Being in the office also helps with getting support from the staff so I feel like I have a big team helping me at all times.

Must confess that I'm an office-rat.  I have a private office in our historic building on Main Street in downtown Madison.  I'm productive there, and love being in the thick of things.  People feel free to drop by, and I'm just a short walk away from closing attorneys and banks - plus I have the shops and restaurants of our small but mighty downtown within walking distance.  My cell service reception is much better in my office than on my lakefront farm, which is just 10 minutes away.

In short, when I'm not out showing and listing property, or taking training, or networking - or on the golf course - you'll find me in my Madison office.

I have worked from home for at least 10 years now... no other way to do it and be fully productive! I do go into the office for an occasional meeting, to deliver earnest money checks, and to pick up commission checks. Outside of that... no reason to do so.

Several months after I sold my office I decided to start working from home. I wanted to get away from all the time wasted listening to gossip, complaints, etc. and from the people who stopped by to talk because I was at my desk - so clearly I "Wasn't doing anything."

Working from home was still a new concept in our small town then, so even prospects would stop in rather than call. It didn't take long before I found out that when they came in looking for me the secretary or broker would make every attempt to switch them over to the broker. They'd say "Oh, Marte isn't working much any more, but Ruth can help you..."

SOME of my past clients were loyal enough to report back to me about that attempt.

That whole scene was another deciding factor when I decided to let my license go and concentrate on writing.

Meanwhile ... working from home is wonderful. It has a different set of distractions - like the cat who thinks she needs to be on my lap when I need to work. But I love being able to work the hours I choose, in comfortable clothes, and with my hair looking like a fright. I also love not needing to drive a half hour into the office and back each day.

Of course - my situation is a bit different. I don't need to go meet with clients because all of mine are far away.

With the technology to transact business regardless of our location, having an office only raises the cost of doing business and reduces your profitability and we're all in business to maximize our profits, aren't you?

For a new agent, an apprenticeship in a large and successful agency is probably a better solution to learn and earn and the price is a smaller commission and loss of time while getting trained personally from an experienced and successful mentor.

You must be disciplined to be successful, regardless if you work from an office or from home, so the key is self control. 

I have never worked anywhere but my home office, as the company I have been with since I got my license in 2004 doesn't have a true brick and mortar office so I had no choice.  There are definitely pros and cons to working at home and not having an office, but I wouldn't have it any other way. -Kasey

Lenn- I completely agree!  I am an agent that works from home and I love it!  My clients have never minded coming to my home to put together an offer- in fact I think they like that I am invite them over- I have only had 1 client that I continuously met in other locations- I really didn't want this person to know where I lived!  And with Wifi everywhere - there is not a reason in the world for me to carry more overhead...

I am hooked on my "office" office.  I have one of several private offices that are available and the best part is it has a DOOR, which I keep closed most of the time.  I start there first thing (door closed)taking care of the plan for the day which focuses on lead generating, marketing tasks and administrative "stuff".  We have a high energy office and there's always an interesting seminar, mastermind,  agent discussions going on if I want to participate.  In addition the  support staff is there to help with everything from technology issues, marketing pieces, and general administrative issues, plus an on site lender and available attorney.   I can choose when to open the door and participate.  

Graet post and comes at a time that I myself and wondering if should work from home or the office. To me I agree with your points about working from home so this is most likely the direction I will be taking.

I am a broker owner ... I have a physical address that is 4" by 10" (yup, it is a po box) where packages are signed for and mail is delivered ... I meet with my clients in their comfortable environment ... and I work out of my office at home ... in these days there is no real need for a physical office other than the ego of having it ... in my opinion

Len I have ran my brokerage from my home.  However, we just moved and for space reasons I rented office space.  I am still setting up and have my internet being installed tomorrow.  I am looking forward to the change.  It is just me so it will still be private, but maybe fewer interruptions.

When I started as a real estate secretary almost 50 years ago - our broker seeing agents in the office KNEW they were not making money - being OUT in the community and working with clients was how they made money....technology is making an OFFICE less valuable to exerienced agents!