Solo Practice?
When I was a kid we had a family doctor. He had his office in a small
house. I don't know if he lived there or what.
He "delivered" me and took out my tonsils. We went to him for
everything.
Now, I have a family doctor whose practice is in a large "clinic"
building next to a hospital. When I need a specialist, there is one "right
there" and if I need lab work or imaging, it is all available on-site.
BTW, this is a PPO, not an HMO.
I couldn't imagine going back to a doctor in an office that is off all by
itself. I like the comprehensive approach to medicine. It makes my life
easier, and it makes me "feel" good about my doctor.
What abouit Real Estate?
Now, there are many real estate agents that work out of their homes. I
equate them to my first doctor. If they need (or I need) a specialist, I
need to look elsewhere. What a hassle.
My choice for the real estate office of the future is a one-stop shop
where everything I may need is under one roof.
Convenience for the client is the test, not what the agent wants. The
solo practitioner may "feel" like they are independent and don't "need"
anybody else, but the client doesn't see it that way. They have more
needs. Maybe they want to buy an investment property, maybe they
want to build a vacation home. Maybe they need property
management, maybe they need insurance, maybe they need retirement
advice, maybe they want the escrow office to be close-at-hand, maybe
they need tax services.
All of these "maybes" don't contribute to your idea about what you do,
but they do contribute to your clients needs and comfort level.
Being part of a supermarket of financial services can make your client
very comfortable, just like I am at the clinic where my doctor has his
practice.
Lesson learned?
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