I need help getting out of Indecisionland!!! I have a small brokerage firm fluctuating between 6 -15 agents and wanting to grow. I am struggling on picking the right office space. I want something big enough to grow into but not too big I can't handle the payments. Especially in this economy! I want to know what is important to you in an office space or what you wish you had that you don't now. Did your space factor into your decision to go with your firm?
I am slightly confused because the trends seem to show agents are home officing more than ever. However, they want a nice place to come to work when they do come in. So.... what is important to you? Are the days of sub-leasing an office from your Broker over or is there still a demand for an individual office? I know my wife won't let me office out of my home so that's out! (Whimp!)
We want to start having a greater luxury home market presence and attracting those agents as well. I want a classy and contemporary office that is state of the art but not stuffy. I have considered retail space for walk-in traffic and branding purposes, and I have thought of class A office space without the signage but more flexibility and elbow room. Office space being more the way I am leaning.
Does a showing service help or hurt compared to a live receptionist? What kind of techologies are a must for you that you feel your brokerage should provide.
Agent opinions are really what will bring these thoughts to a quicker reality for me. Pleasing my agents is so important to me, but I know it is not possible to please them all. I just want to hit most of the points and not have to make a double move within 3 years because we outgrew it.
You can't grow an Oak tree in a flower pot, I know. But, how do you take that financial jump into the unknown without certain assurances????
Thanks for your suggestions!
Darren Turnbeaugh, CRS
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