Is "Boutique Firm" stigmatized

By
Real Estate Agent with da Vinci Realty in Evergreen, CO

I have a question to the Activerain community.

I am trying to label my brokerage and I want to make sure I use the right term that consumers will, not only, identify with but be attracted to.  I am a small family owned independent company in the mountain community of Evergreen, Colorado.  Including myself, I have 2 Brokers and plan to grow to maybe 5.  My company is not attached to any brand name whether National or State.  I focus 100% of my business on Residential sales....no property management, no development.  I represent individuals, not banks, on both the listing and buy sides. 

I have an office in Downtown Evergreen where I'm the most visible brokerage on Main Street.

I think that just about describes my business.

I hear "Boutique Firm" but I'm concerned that term is somewhat over used or gives the impression to a consumer that the firm has limited resources and lacks a presence...which could result in poor exposure for a Seller.  My online presence matches up against some of the most successful agents in the country so I'm not worried that someone will believe their home will not be seen especially after they see my marketing strategy.  I am concerned, though, that the wrong label will not encourage a phone call by a prospect and give me a chance to present my value-added benefits.

I hear a lot from clients that they chose me because I am an independent owner.  I'd like to maximize that impression and expand upon it.

So I ask you, what's a good descriptive term I can label my brokerage?

Thanks for your opinions.

Chris

Posted by

Chris M. Vinci, Owner, CRS, CLHMS, CMAS

Voted "2013 BEST REALTOR.." by Mountain Connection readers

Awarded 2013 "FIVE STAR REALTOR" in 5280 Magazine

da Vinci Realty in Downtown Evergreen, Colorado

303-679-0360

www.CoMountainLiving.com

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Comments (5)

Margo Marshall
Re/Max Specialists - Jacksonville, FL

Hi Chris-  I really feel that the term boutique does not fit a general real estate office but that is just my opinion. You need to compete with the big boys also and should have a strong name that is branded- I like da vinci and maybe you should utilize 'evergreen' in your branding- I think that would be super-it could be a play on words and have a strong tags for the internet- Margo

Jun 01, 2010 09:55 AM
Chris Vinci
da Vinci Realty in Evergreen, CO - Evergreen, CO
CRS, CLHMS, CMAS 303.679.0360

Hi Margo,

Thanks for your thoughts  So that I ask the right question, I'm not concerned about the name of my company being unrecognizable in the National playing field.  I'm trying to figure out if I simply call myself "family owned", "boutique", "small firm", "mom and pop" etc labels like that.  I'm wondering if someone has a new term I can use that may help to instill confidence in my company.

Jun 01, 2010 10:11 AM
Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

Hi Chris - how about "local"?   Boutique sounds too uptown to me - seems folks who want to live up in the mountains are trying to get away from that - but that's just me.  Local sounds more approachable and more "niche-y" to me.

Jun 01, 2010 10:29 AM
Pam Miller
Realty Associates - Conroe, TX
Broker Associate - Water Crest on Lake Conroe

Hi Chris,

I use "Boutique" to descirbe my brokerage. Maybe you could add something to yours like--

"A Mountain Living Real Estate Boutique"  I think the word "Boutique" gives the impression of a small, but exclusive  real estate brokerage. 

However you go, I wish you the very best!

Jun 01, 2010 11:02 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Chris ~ I too thought of "local" as something to stress - and "independent" too.  I think there's perceived value in that as opposed to remote and big business / corporate.

Liz

Jun 01, 2010 04:05 PM

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