Change... NOOOOOOOOOOO

Stephanie,

Congratulations on your move. I have moved more than once. Most of the moves were caused by that "Poking the Tiger" comment you gave. Each time I have had to move I immersed myself in analyzing the new companies. Who the were in terms of their standing within the real estate community. Who were all of the agents. I have never wanted to associate my self with a company that might have an agent amongst them that had a poor reputation. And of course the other parts like Cost of doing business at the new company and support offered etc. The analysis just seemed to make the move go easier for me.

I went through that ordeal when I was a Realtor... it wasn't that hard to make a change because I felt that I was being totally beaten down by the system at my first company - and paid poorly to take it.  I felt at a competitive disadvantage ... of course I fault myself for certain things as well... I went from too much control to not enough... I wasn't ready for 100% independence!

So when I came to Florida, I felt that I had to find the right fit... it took a while for me to do so and I got sidetracked in a job that was absolutely fantastic for me to learn the area and get my confidence up - but horrible pay and it could have ruined me...

When I finally got back on the market for Mortgages, I had been through a lot of interviews so the first offer that came to me I thought was great... I didn't see through the smokescreen - so when push came to shove and they pushed WAY too hard - we parted ways... the next office promised me independence and with only 2 mortgage brokers it felt like a corporate job with stifling restrictions, not an Independent Contractor role (i.e. quit bugging me if I'm not in the office at YOUR "right" time)...

My current role I have been in for 18 months now and I have the freedom to contribute but the support to help me succeed!  It is a great role... for instance, I am free to find my own business but there are leads too... I am free to pursue commercial (and get all the business from my company) but I don't have to give up residential... the flexibility and support are making my entrepreneurial mind grow so fast.

It is all about finding the right fit...

BUT REMEMBER...You are an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. Your company can Co-Market you...but to really succeed you need to self promote which also means making YOUR name and not just coasting on theirs!  If your name is well known enough - then you can work anywhere for anyone or even for yourself and still succeed

Changing brokerages is emotional for a few reasons - usually we are attached to the folks we work with and feel badly about "leaving them" in addition to our concerns about the upheaval the move causes with our business. Many agents use the broker's contact management and other systems - so moving means a concern about getting that messed up too. And if the agent's business card had just the phone number at the office and the email with the company's addresss (eg MSmith@MyOldBrokerage.com) guess what? You need to be doubly sure that the old clients don't return to the brokerage instead of to YOU.

So fear is not an unreasonable response!!

Most agents only move when they feel that either the old company is going downhill or that there is a significantly better opportunity at the new place. Very few agents would move frivolously because (at least from what I have seen in my own market) whenever we move, there's a small loss of income that first year. I'm not sure if it's from the upheaval, or folks falling between the cracks, or what.

I have moved a few (short number) of times and each time it has not been a fun experience. It always feels like I'm divorcing my old buddies. Managers usually have hurt feelings. Sometimes they're even angry!  It's not pleasant.  I have learned, though, that you can not count on your brokerage always being the same and you should be prepared to move if need be.  Sometimes there are mergers and you won't like either the new policies or the new philosophy or even the new people in charge.  I have seen a mass exodus happen under these circumstances.

So what to do?

First, have your own branding and your own URL where people know to find you (not you@yourbrokerage.com).  You can point your URL to pages within the company site - but advertise YOUR url, not the company's, so that if you move or even if you just get your own separate website, your clients will find you quickly on the web.  Your email address needs to be permanent too, not dependent on who owns your company this week or this year.  An finally, you need to have at least one phone number on your card that doesn't go through your office - either a toll free number or a cell.  Even if you never move, if your company phones go down, people need to be able to reach you.

For 3 1/2 years I have been with my current brokerage, Intero Real Estate Services, and I'm happy beyond all telling.  I don't plan to ever move my license.  But whether there are big issues or little ones, such as the office phones or server going down, my clients can find me apart from the company tools.  I use the company tools but am not dependent on them.  With the way companies get bought out, merge, change names, and so on, I think that's really the way to go.

Stephanie...

Oh! Man! I love this post. Really. 

I say that "I put my man pants" ... Your line is just as good. LOL...

Now about resisting change. I learned a long time ago that resisting it will stagnate you and your business.

I could say more but much of what I'm thinking has already been said.

Except of course... "Poke the Lion" will ya? ...   LOL... Thanks for the good morning world chuckle.

TLW...ROAR!

Changing real estate companies is a serious change. Much doubt and apprehension is involved. Pros and cons need to be considered. Once a decision is made, a huge weight is lifted and now you can focus on making it work, which is where good agents excell. There are many good real estate companies out there, but, as I tell my clients, "It is far more important to have a good real estate agent than a good real estate company." You treated your situation with the seriousness it deserved and then made the right decision.

Stephanie.. what a terrific post..I love your imagery..I'm one of those who hate to change/move.. homes, offices, men.. I think it's because I just don't like packing up stuff.. but every time I do.. I find it was the right thing to do

Great post Stephanie! I identify with you on the Bluetooth headset!  I had mine for well over a year before I actually started using it.  I think the thing about change is the harder that you fight it the more energy you expend for nothing.  Change can be cathartic but it really is what you make of it.