Gary L. White

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Gary White, Broker CRS, GRI, ABR, ePro, AHS FlexIt Realty www.FlexItRealty.com Business models of big buildings, warehousing agents and high overheads are going to be a memory...technology, service and the pressure being exerted on lower commissions is going to force a business model change. I have created transaction centers with a low overhead model designed to meet the needs of clients and agents. The traditional brokerage is having extreme difficulties feeding the elephant they built and it isn't going to take peanuts to make him go away. The economy, foreclosures and short sales will drive many out of business with agents seeking other forms of employment. The local MLS groups will have to make changes too. The Internet has changed many business models...the email and Electronic Information Act has further impacted the ability to communicate and close without having large offices or meeting centers. It will be interesting, those who adapt will flourish and those we seek to maintain their old ways will probably see themselves with less market share or become irrelevant.

Broker's haven't let real estate market changes go unnoticed; the changes have been in multiple areas of the traditional business model. Thus making the ability to react to the changes more costly and difficult to a implement within their business culture. Opening a brokerage now with the state of the real estate market for many is suicide. The hybrid models have now emerged as a more acceptable option for agents and clients. I opened a hybrid model taking advantage of the traditional brokerage limitations. The move from bricks and mortar, warehousing agents to a lean transaction center based brokerage has offered more money to pursue clients with advertising dollars normally reserved for mortgage payments. The fees charged agents has dropped in our model, yet remained high in the traditional brokerages because of higher overheads. Changing the model reduces fees for agents while adding to their selling options and increases services for sellers and buyers. Taking advantage of the available technology for agents and clients will soon become the traditional brokerage and the old brokerage design will be a history lessen of what brokerages used to look like. Gary White, Broker/Owner CRS, GRI, ABR, ePro FlexIt Realty www.FlexItRealty.com

Hi Brad, You story is both savvy and touching at the same time. Many of us have found that we have to do both type of media to market homes. Print and internet are required to meet the demands of this market. One listing and a bunch of blogs won't make up for experience as you decided on your own. Not all Realtors are the same and it shows when you select the right one. Thanks for sharing your story. I hope all is well with you family and they have a few extra laps. Gary White, Broker/Owner CRS, GRI, ABR, ePro FlexIt Realty www.FlexItRealty.com