RealTown's RealTalk

I have thought about going out on my own. However, I live 16 miles from the
only somewhat-hot market, which is the location of the company at which I
now hang my license. This is the area I work in the most frequently.
Our geographic area consists of rural properties dotted by small towns
anywhere from 7 to 16 miles apart I cover 5 such towns and the range is 30
miles long. How does one be an independent broker and work these towns
without an office close by in which to take a client. Not everyone has a
computer of their own. I can haul my computer and use a battery to write a
contract somewhere, but what about internet and printer? Our mountainous
area and distances make wireless often useless. Isn't wireless more risky
(hackers)?
Any suggestions, ideas from anyone who has a similar situation? The local
independents all work up valley, closer to their homes AND they all have
really nice places. I don't and I have a retired husband. Adorable, but
underfoot.

Yours to Count On!

Juanita R. Williams REALTOR(r) e-PRO
970-618-4525 cell ph-the easiest way to reach me!
Juanit a@ SoldByJW.com <mailto:Juanita@SoldByJW.com>

have thought about going out on my own. However, I live 16 miles from the
only somewhat-hot market, which is the location of the company at which I
now hang my license. This is the area I work in the most frequently.
Our geographic area consists of rural properties dotted by small towns
anywhere from 7 to 16 miles apart I cover 5 such towns and the range is 30
miles long. How does one be an independent broker and work these towns
without an office close by in which to take a client. Not everyone has a
computer of their own. I can haul my computer and use a battery to write a
contract somewhere, but what about internet and printer? Our mountainous
area and distances make wireless often useless. Isn't wireless more risky
(hackers)?
Any suggestions, ideas from anyone who has a similar situation? The local
independents all work up valley, closer to their homes AND they all have
really nice places. I don't and I have a retired husband. Adorable, but
underfoot.

Yours to Count On!

Juanita R. Williams REALTOR(r) e-PRO

Juanita,

I went out on my own 3 years ago and love it. I have an arrangement with a local company for a "corporate presence" so I have a business adddress and phone (calls are transferred to individual agent's voice mail) and the use of a conference room for client meetings. All of my agents work from home offices and use the conference room when necessary (there is an hourly fee for that). That might not work for you as your towns are far apart and you have to cover a wide area, but try to work out something with an attorney or mortage company in each town where you would have the use of an office or conference room at an hourly rate for the times when you have to meet with a client. If they do not have printers there are portable ones you can buy. Most people will adjust to the fact that you do not have a "walk in" office and will schedule their appointments with you.

Good luck to you!


Margery Stern

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I've been on my own for going on 4 years and in 2008 let my lease expire and opted for a boutique cyberoffice. 3 years of overhead for an office my agents didn't use. I coulda bought a Porsche. :)

Before I went indie, I was a Prudential e-office so the transition was not too tough for me. But now, it's even easier:

You can pick up a portable printer if you need to (I know a loan person who has one and prints up docs from wherever), but electronic signatures eliminate my need for that (I use Docusign). Click here, click here, all parties' copies are waiting in their Inbox.

There are a number of wi-fi hotspots in informal restaurants. And most R Associations are hotspots now. Take advantage of the services those dues pay for!

Another thing that is great about this setup is that you will not miss the tire kickers and time wasters that can no longer walk in without an appointment.

:)

Candice

While the virtual office may work fine in other states, in Virginia, if you are a Virginia resident, you have to have a physical office location. �However, if you're a resident of another state with a Virginia license you don't have to have a physical Virginia location. �Go figure.

--
Pat Hallesy, ABR, GRI, e-PRO
Associate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Fredericksburg, VA
http://www.HallesyHouse.com

Juanita,

You have to count the cost before you leap. I've gone independent and I've worked for the biggest. The difference all boils down to expenses! If you can maintain your expenses without increasing your liability then "independence" is the way to go. But if liability costs you more then remaining with the recognized name brand is your best choice. It's like choosing between Name Brand Drugs and Generic Drugs. If you can get the same relief from Generics as you can with Name Brand then why spend the money for Name Brand? If you can get the same recognition as an independent Broker why split the bounty with a Name Brand Broker? It all boils down to the cost of doing business. If you can afford to compete then go Independent but if it costs you more then what is the real payoff for going independent? I'm not suggesting that you stay where you are, but name recognition has it's benefits.