Are You Missing the Boat?

Are You Missing the Boat?  BethAnn Long of Spokane, WA  got me thinking today about those Agents who decide to jump ship and leave their present day real estate offices for another office.  Some Broker/Owners might perhaps interpret this action as a two-timing Realtor whore.  I have different thoughts on the matter.

I have practiced real estate for over 10 years and I have hung my license with two franchises, and now with my own independent real estate office.  One of those franchises was a local Pacific Northwest Franchise and the other was a National Big Box Franchise.  After the first three years in business, I left the Pacific Northwest Franchise for personal reasons.  The Broker hired a "Prima Donna" who behaved badly, and I couldn't stomach the way they catered to this Agent's every whim.  I spent the next 6 years with the National Big Box Franchise and my business flourished.  While there were many things I didn't like about the way this franchise was ran, overall, my experience there was positive.

The reason I left the National Big Box Franchise is I felt I didn't need them anymore.  I had spent the previous 10 years nurturing my website and capturing Internet leads, none of which, came to me from the National Big Box Franchise.  After I analyzed my costs for being with this franchise, I realized I was grossly over-paying for the minimal services I received.  I also analyzed the nature of our business and the direction I felt it was going in the next 10 years.  With the advent of the Internet, our business model has changed, which has forced us to change with it!  If you are unwilling to make the necessary changes to stay relevant in this business, you may become obsolete like these two dinosaurs who missed their boat!

Change is good.  It breathes new life into old ways.  It catches the attention of others.  It makes you stand for something and not continue in complacency.  Out with the old, in with the new.  It's a breath of fresh air!  Whether you work for a national big box franchise, or a independent real estate office, take a chance, make a change!  Don't be caught missing your boat!