1,052,211
Real estate is local and regional. In my area, the top companies are independent. Many over the years had initially been name brokerages, who ditched the franchise and reopened as indies.
What do they offer that differentiates them? We all have great tech. The real magic is in what and who we know, reputation and results. Technology is only as good as the person operating it. Most RE technology is beyond the capability of the user or needs of the consumer.
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
5,104,931
I am associated with what you refer to as a "big box" brokerage. I have plenty of personal differentiators while taking advantage of their technology.
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Barbara Todaro
Franklin, MA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
3,345,091
I am the differentiator. I've been associated with the big box. It was not a good fit for me.
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
2,178,553
I never felt at a disadvantage as an independent. The differentiator was ME. I had a better internet presence than the biggies and I blogged tirelessly to showcase my knowledge of real estate and the local area which, of course, gave me great SEO.
The biggest reason I loved being an independent is because I could customize my service to every client. I had to follow the same legal rules and regulations of the real estate industry but I didn't have to fit in their little box of rules and policies. It gave me much more freedom to serve my clients needs.
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Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
3,125,663
All real estate is local and repeat business does it for me!
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
1,725,996
Us. RE is still a business dependant upon the quality of service and reputation of the strong agents.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
4,572,117
The name or size of the brokerage is not as important as the value an individual agent brings to his/her clients. The ways of differentiation vary by person and by market. Accentuating those positive attributes will provide you and your clients the best experience.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,311,397
Both indie brokers and national name brokers seem to do well in our market. Competition is thriving!
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Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
2,390,595
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NYS Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker I'm not in Indie but I stood out here because I seeked out High Quality Builders who share the same faith as I do. In doing so I was the exclusive listing agent for several Builders and 2 developers.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,196,798
Whether a person is affiliated with an indie brokerage or a "big box" brokerage it's still a business of relationships. As far as technology goes there is plenty to go around and the large franchises don't; have a lock on it
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
1,622,432
Carefully crafted customer service.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
5,583,278
I've been with RE/MAX for the past 24 years and I do my own marketing for my team members.... we use a very small RE/MAX balloon on every marketin piece....I promote the team and the team gets the calls...we're top dog in the office and soon in the firm... plus the town....
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
6,393,154
Many independent brokerages find great advantage in merging with a big company like KW, many advantages for the broker and for the team members.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,502,998
I'm an indie and have no trouble competing and making myself unique compared to the big boxes. It's a level playing field out there and most of their expensive tech toys can be had for free with a little bit of smarts and know-how.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
1,712,676
The internet makes us all powerful if we know how to use it.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
1,197,072
After 32 years in the business, I am sure you have answers to the questions you have posted. do what works best for you,
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
2,781,163
What continually comes-up for me literally is how available I am and how well-received that is...Even a polite robo-caller or voice-mail cannot compete
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
2,220,323
Good luck to you Elisa.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
7,836,129
Well know brand names often provide an advantage for the agents.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
4,800,082
There's no reason why a small firm can't use technology and use if better as it is more local.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
5,772,575
Ella,
I think that Michael Jacobs gave you a great answer as did many others . To differentiate yourself is to do research both outward and inward among your company and its agents. It takes time and imagination. Don't let the assumption that it takes big dollars, big technology be the governing reason of why you are not attracting business, How motivated are you and your partners?
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
5,216,387
The only thing the competition can’t duplicate is you. You pick the window dressing of sponsoring broker association
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
921,504
An 'INDIE" Broker. My first thought is you are affiliated with the Escort Services frequently offering to augment a visit to Bangalore.
That would not require a New York State license.
Every agent on AR believe they are truly different, superior, differentiated from those who did not survive the crash of 2008. And they would be correct. Each of these agents demonstrated the differentiation of survival, adaptability, tenacity, hard work and quieting the roar of the devouring lion. These are indeed exceptional agents. They HAD to be.
There is only one differentiator a real estate agent needs. It does not come easily but through very disturbing self-examination and re-invention.
This agent does not chant "Raise the bar," or blather 'We got ethics,' but listens to the void into which they step.
And no one exists without 'technology.'
Understanding human emotion and motivation are not rudimentary skill and to be a 'pro' human technology is required.
Being the very best at all things is of little value if no one can find access to all that bestness. Technology creates many Front Doors.
Never has David and Goliath been on more equal footing. For a brokerage looking to evolve, it would be helpful is someone of vision was at the helm. When one of vision speaks, the birds of the air gather in the branches of that tree of wisdom. If evolution is merely amplifying what all others are doing, the branches will be barren and the people parish because of lack of vision.
However, evolution just could involve actually empowering buyer and sellers and guiding them through the expertise of strategically chauffeured professional who embrace the human technology of understanding emotion ad motivation. The joining together will manifest the transformation that brings the fulfillment all parties sought.
The greatest challenge facing seasoned agents, those who have served years in the trenches is they possess the most expensive words in the English language. By owning these words they are unable to be taught, to see a problem that needs a new tool, to see the new way because the old way served them well.
The most expensive words in the English language to own are: "I KNOW."
Once those words cross the mind, all learning ceases and we hit play for the video we have already seen. "I KNOW what they are going to say so I need not be present...cuase I already know."
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,751,129
Elisa, I spent all of 2011 learning the ropes of Internete marketing. That one year paved the way for our little company (12) to compete with the local big-box neighbors. They have the bucks and the name backing, but we provide exceptional service, are involved in the community in interesting and unique ways and our clients are effusive in their praise for the company. That leads to more business.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
2,182,502
A Real Estate Office only needs to be a good recruiter of local talent . Add the ability to be a great Mentor and no Big Box can touch you !
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
3,986,258
At this point it is my reputation
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
5,229,945
Oh, you don't need a big box at all, Elisa! YOU are who you need to sell - sell your experience, your customer service, testimonials, your knowledge and your own technology.
In this day and time, there is plenty of technology out there for Indie brokers to use that is just as effective as those of the big brokerages.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,868,482
I am techy, and an independent Broker/Owner, and my past clients keep me quite busy.
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Elisa Bruno-Midili, NY...
Mount Kisco, NY
4,434,127