Banks in real estate? In a blog I read yesterday, the author was discussing that possibility and it got me thinking. Would that be so bad? How would it be different from Merrill Lynch or Prudential owning real estate companies?

Imagine with me.....you now work in real estate sales with Bank Loco. You have......

1. a salary with a bonus structure--no more straight commission. You are also an employee so taxes and Social Security are deducted from your check.

2. real honest-to-goodness benefits. Health insurance, dental, vision, disability, even a matching 401k!

3. loyal Bank Loco customers come to you asking you to sell their home or wanting you to help them find a new home.

4. an office is provided for you and it doesn't cost you anything. Bank Loco also pays for advertising, marketing, etc.

5. hours are flexible because people still have to see houses in the evenings and on weekends.

OK, now does that sound so bad? What would you be giving up? Well, you would no longer be self employed which is a big reason most of us are in this business. You couldn't be part-time and you would have to produce just like on any other job. Imagine that.

If you really don't want to work for the bank, you wouldn't have to. There will still be independents just like there are independents in the mortgage business. I have a hunch though that there are quite a few realtors that would trade a little freedom for the benefits mentioned above. Who knows if this will come about.....we were just imagining remember?

HERE'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY DOES SCARE ME----CAN YOU IMAGINE WORKING FOR WALLYWORLD REALTY? Now that's the day I'll retire.