It's been no secret to those that really know me that I've been planning to open my own office for a long time. I've had my Associate Broker license since 2002. I have set ideas about how to run a brokerage, and I really want to give other agents the opportunity to learn and appreciate what a career in real estate has to offer.
For various reasons, it got put off. While my children were growing up, I was just too busy being a mother. As they left for college and to live their lives, various causes crept in to take my time and energy. Eventually, that yearning started really burning me up inside, and I started to explore my options.
Since March, I've read four different franchise offering agreements. It was a real eye-opener in some ways, but surely dry reading in others. I began bouncing my ideas around, first within my own head, and then slowly opening my circle to those I trusted. I got a lot of great feedback over the last several months, and slowly my plan began to take place.
Over time, I started to open up that tight circle, and trust a few more people. My ideas had refined and grown into solid plans. Eventually, I eliminated three of the franchise agreements, and settled into one. I still haven't signed that agreement but I should be within a few weeks.
So, everything was going fine until... someone told my broker.
The last time I switched brokerages it was not a pretty scene. My broker called me into his office at 9:45 and told me to have my desk cleaned out before the end of the business day. My keys were confiscated on the spot, and my MLS privileges were suspended immediately. The broker had contacted my sellers and made appointments, or tried to, to have them sign new listings.
It's much different this time, which makes me wonder... am I doing the right thing?
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Hi Debbie...Only you can answer that question.
Your current broker is evidently an adult. Your former one certainly was not. Even a well raised child should not have acted like that. Why is it that some brokers act like that. They all worked for someone else before starting on their own. This is just part of your growth.
If this is something you have wanted to do for a long time it is wonderful that you may get to do it. Again, only you know the true anwer to your question.
Good luck and much success whatever you do .
Kate
Kate - I'm writing part 2, and you will see that yes, this recent broker was definitely the adult!
Whenever my Clients ask, "Am I doing the right thing?" I always tell them to create a list of 10 reasons why it is the right thing, and a list of 10 reasons why it is not the right thing. Rarely will they be able to create two diametrically opposed lists each with 10 items on it. The list that has the most items wins. For the few times where they could come up with 10 items each, it's on to overtime, going to the next 10. What I always try to do is to get them to the point where one list has at least 66% of the items and the other list has no more than 33% of the items. 66% of the vote would be a supermajority in politics at every level, a landslide, and a very powerful indication that one might want to move in that direction. There's always going to be negative things, or things we just don't like doing, but if 66% of everything is positive, then I believe my Clients have found their career calling instead of just another job.
Russel - Great idea. The only bad thing is not being in the same office with Larry. But he's still a friend!
Debbie - I've been in the business for 26 years. In all that time, I've only worked in 3 offices. I've been blessed with great brokers all along the way! I can't imagine having the experience you describe with your first broker! Totally amazing.
Good luck to you in your future endeavors!
Mryl - Now it feels strange... I'm on my 3rd in less than 10 years. Hopefully this is my last! Well, at least until I join a franchise.
Debbie how is it going? How is your brokerage? I think of you whenever I see Sarah Palin.... or anything about Alaska.