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All Good Things Come to an End. Then What?

By
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@Properties AB95346

Well, last week the big news was that Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway acquired local real estate giant, Long and Foster.  And yesterday, the big news was that Long and Foster has acquired Evers & Company.  

Donna Evers has been my broker for the past ten years, and while I hoped this would last forever, I'm realizing that Donna is way beyond the age when most people kick back - although she certainly doesn't look it.  She isn't really retiring, but I'm guessing that being the Broker in Charge is a whole lot less taxing that owning the company.  And a marriage to Long and Foster was not the worst option, for Donna or for her agents.  

So there are a lot of questions that some of the agents have about what comes next.  Will this be a good corporate marriage?  Or will it be a funky fit?  Should I stick around or check out options?  

When it comes to these situations, this isn't my first rodeo.  Over my 35-year career, this has happened four times.  And here is my advice to myself, and to anyone else who might find themselves in this situation::

  • Don't let all of the distractions get in the way of your business.
  • Moving to a different company is extremely disruptive when it's a change of location.  Give your new arrangement a chance.
  • When brokers all over town start calling, don't let it go to your head. They learn to take advantage of any sort of chaos at a competitor for their recruiting efforts.  
  • Your decision to stay or go has to be a business decision, and it's likely to be a better one if you wait until the dust settles before you decide.  

And you know what?  As I call my clients, they don't seem to care whose sign is in their front yard, as long as it has my name rider on it.  

Comments (68)

James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

Especially like the let the dust settle advice Patricia. If the new situation is intolerable, there is always the option of moving on. I've done it and looking back it wasn't the hassle I initially thought it was going to be. However, it certainly was inconvenient!

Sep 16, 2017 08:36 PM
Corey Martin
Martin Presence Group - Ruston, LA
Real Estate and Management Solutions

Great advice. I hope that the transition is as painless as possible. And I hope you have a great day. 

Sep 17, 2017 11:52 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You are so right - your clients care about the service you give, not the company you work with.

Sep 17, 2017 04:30 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

The only brand that's important to you and your clients is your service and performance. That's another reason you want to choose your company carefully, so, you won't be moving from company to company. Unfortunately, clients and prospects might question your abilities to make sound decisions when your resume has a history of moving often from company to company regardless of the circumstances. 

Sep 18, 2017 12:09 AM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

After any amount of time in this business, changes of ownership happen.    You share some great wisdom for anyone tempted to get caught up in the drama...

Sep 18, 2017 09:18 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Patricia Kennedy You will be fine whatever the color of the sign. The clients want you and not the company.

You have earned their loyalty not the brokerage.

Sep 18, 2017 04:11 PM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

I have been in several companies in my career.  I don't intend to move anymore unless something completely bizarre happens. Rarely is the grass greener on the other side. 

Sep 19, 2017 11:48 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great points all when it comes to companies.  Clients buy into you, so good for you for calling them to explain and sticking with the gameplan!

Oct 02, 2017 03:30 PM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Pat,

 Congrats on the feature and I hope you will find it is business as usual! 

Oct 06, 2017 02:34 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Thought I would pop over and see how things are going for you at your new diggs, Pat! 

Hugs to you and we SO miss you in the Rain!!

Nov 04, 2017 02:58 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Change is the only constant in life. Good luck with what ever you choose to do. Slow and easy and making those decisions with a clear mind the best idea.

Nov 05, 2017 05:02 AM
Shahar Hillel
Encino, CA
Mortgage Consultant, Loan Officer.

Patricia hello.

Hope the transition will be a smooth one.

Have a great week.

Nov 15, 2017 10:31 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

The public (your clients) really DON'T care whose primary sign is in the yard because they deal with US first then the company, in most cases. Best of luck with your transition. Hope the dust settles quickly.

Nov 25, 2017 08:30 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Best wishes for a smooth transition to a new company, though it sounds like you won't have too many upheavals since you're staying with the same location and boss.

Dec 07, 2017 05:30 PM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Patricia,

Good decision. As your client told you: they want to work with you & do not care, who you are with at the moment. I am sure Ms Donna did not make this decision lightly, but was forced to do so by circumstances & wise planning.

Dec 08, 2017 08:34 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Did this in May of this year, because my first and only real estate brokerage that I've worked for in my career retired. Big decisions, and since I do everything myself, I took care of all of it, with signage, etc. However, being with John L Scott Market Center certainly was a leap in all of the systems that they have in place. And I now have a virtual assistant who keeps track (somewhat) of my paperwork and what a blessing that is! 

Timing is everything and making a transition while juggling your current clients can be dicey. Having to close out current listings and start over with the new company is just one of those taxing moments. Oh, those nasty details! 

Dec 11, 2017 03:51 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

 Patricia Kennedy  , did that last fall when my company was acquired by a larger RI company but I was thrilled with the merger.  Support is great & technology top of the line..plus I get paid much quicker.  Enjoy the years in the career you have a passion for.

Jan 30, 2018 04:23 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

I've never cared what company my listing agent is with, because it's the agent who has a relationship with me that does all the work.  Good luck as you move forward!

Feb 10, 2018 05:39 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Fortunately for me since I am with Long and Foster, nothing has changed!

Feb 11, 2018 07:29 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Usually, things are the same even a logo gets different. What do you think after few months with them?

Apr 23, 2018 02:17 PM