Unfortunately, many consumers do not take the time to research and compare real estate agents. Realtors are not a commodity and even within the exact same office, their services will be greatly varied since they are "Independent Contractors" licensed with a broker at their company. Ultimately, it is up to each individual Realtor as to what tools they invest in and what advertising and marketing they are willing to commit to!
I have worked for many great real estate "franchises" like Coldwell Banker, John L. Scott, and three separate RE/MAX offices prior to opening my own independent real estate brokerage in Boise, Idaho. I realized it really didn't matter to my clients if those other companies had 100,000 Realtors working for them, they just wanted their home sold at the best possible price in the least amount of time, with the least amount of hassle!
Benefits of being an independent company, is that I can target all 1,300,000 Realtors to help, not just have tunnel vision into my "franchises" box with 100,000! I can effectively reach out to Coldwell Banker, RE/MAX, Century 21, Keller Williams, John L. Scott, Windermere, AND all the local independent companies like mine!
In today's internet based world, the National Association of Realtors 2010 Survey of Buyer's and Seller noted that 90 percent of consumers are going online for their real estate needs. The main source of information starts with an agents listing of a home in the MLS. From there, ALL other members of that MLS share the same data! Therefore, it is critical that your Realtor understand the best way to show your home on the MLS (great quality and cropped photos, virtual tours, well selected marketing words in the text fields, appropriate attachments, ability to track hits, etc.).
I admit those big box companies spend a lot more money on their advertising than I do, but ask yourself, when is the last time you saw a generic ad for them that made you pick up the phone and call someone? Consumers like you are generally trying to find specific solutions to their needs, not calling an 800 number at a big box retailer! Most people go to their local source of information. I would like to be your local resource!
For example, do you know of anyone that thinks about buying a computer or a printer who goes to Best Buy or someplace to learn but never end up buying the products there? (I would bet that the former employees of Circuit City, Comp USA and Ultimate Electronics in Boise can relate).
I have mixed the best of what I have learned from my association with these major franchised companies and added the flexibility of being an independent brokerage. This also allows me the flexibility of customizing my services to my clients needs that I could never do working with a franchise! For example, try going to McDonald’s and ordering a Whopper; or to Burger King and ordering a Frosty!
Being an independent real estate broker allows me to take my clients where they want to go and choose off any menu they want. We can even stop at Marie Callendar’s for pie and ice cream on the way home!
I am grateful that my company, Progressive Realty Corporation, is not a big box real estate company! As a matter of fact, mine is so outside the box that I don't even have a bricks and mortar office. If you want to stop by, you will have to go to www.Progressive-Realty.info or if you like, I still make house calls!
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