It's been no secret to those that really know me that I've been planning to open my own office for a long time.  I've had my Associate Broker license since 2002.  I have set ideas about how to run a brokerage, and I really want to give other agents the opportunity to learn and appreciate what a career in real estate has to offer. 

For various reasons, it got put off.  While my children were growing up, I was just too busy being a mother.  As they left for college and to live their lives, various causes crept in to take my time and energy.  Eventually, that yearning started really burning me up inside, and I started to explore my options.

Since March, I've read four different franchise offering agreements.  It was a real eye-opener in some ways, but surely dry reading in others.  I began bouncing my ideas around, first within my own head, and then slowly opening my circle to those I trusted.  I got a lot of great feedback over the last several months, and slowly my plan began to take place.

Over time, I started to open up that tight circle, and trust a few more people.  My ideas had refined and grown into solid plans.  Eventually, I eliminated three of the franchise agreements, and settled into one.  I still haven't signed that agreement but I should be within a few weeks.

So, everything was going fine until... someone told my broker.

The last time I switched brokerages it was not a pretty scene.  My broker called me into his office at 9:45 and told me to have my desk cleaned out before the end of the business day.  My keys were confiscated on the spot, and my MLS privileges were suspended immediately.  The broker had contacted my sellers and made appointments, or tried to, to have them sign new listings.

It's much different this time, which makes me wonder... am I doing the right thing?