Since launching SharpBuyers.com in August 2007 I have been trying to juggle being a fulltime traditional broker wile trying to build a successful discount brokerage. While a broker can manage both methods simultaneously, I have decided it makes no sense to continue to do so. I am going %100 discount on the listing side and buyers side. Originally I had planned on working with my base clients as a traditional broker while focusing my marketing efforts on advertising discount techniques to attract new customers. To truly grow my business I decided to inform everyone of the new services that I would be offering through SharpBuyers.com and Mungo List. Most Realtors may feel that I am selling out, but the reality is the discount approach allows me to successfully service more clients in a much more efficient manner. I came to this conclusion while on my way to an appointment yesterday. I looked to my left and saw a traditional brokerage, I looked to my right and saw the exact same thing. For those of you that don’t know, the streets of Boston are filled with brokerage firms. Some areas have one on every corner for several miles. I started thinking that this was the safe fundamental way to build a business, by doing it the way its always been done but then I realized that this would only get me mediocre results. I started to reflect on the some of the marketing mantras written by Seth Godin and the reality that safe and traditional will only produce safe and traditional results. I don’t know about you, but I want more than that. I challenge you to think outside of the box and find a creative way to stand out from the crowd. Discounting may not be the thing for you, but find your niche and pursue it with reckless abandonment.
I hope that you can pull it off. We have looked at the avenue, but we have struggled to see how we can net as much as being a full service brokerage. Perhaps we would have a shot without an office. Here in Austin the discount agents are not doing well in the area that we work. It is interesting to see how different avenues work better in different parts of the country. I would love to have a low overhead operation. Best of luck.....
Good Luck Robert! I commend you for looking at what's happening and trying to adapt the the changes you see. I think those of us that to that best will remain standing when the storm subsides.
Change comes all around us....I applaud you for attempting the feat....keep us posted.
Robert you can only spread yourself so thin. Sometimes we just have to make that decision and concentrate on what works best for us. Thanks, Keith
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