Life in the real estate business is changing fast, especially in a market that is saturated with bank-owned homes, short sales and a high number of homes on the market in general. How do we thrive as a business?
We frequently have franchise sales reps stopping in our office, boasting they are the biggest, best, and most trusted in the business. I repeatedly ask myself, would signing up with a franchise change the way we do business or would we just be spending a lot of time and money changing our company colors and real estate signs? When I ask reps these questions, they emphasize their “tools and systems,” training, relocation network, nationwide advertising, and most important (they say) – name recognition.
I consider how we currently measure up against our competition. Oak Realty has consistently been at the top of its game, with a listing inventory that meets or exceeds that of the area’s other companies. A couple of our agents had record years in 2007 with some of the highest sales volumes in the area. We’re having fun working as a team, and that philosophy, well… IT WORKS!
But the bottom line is our heart is not in world-wide presence, we don’t need a relocation network we won’t use, and these franchises don’t train in knowledge of this area – that comes from a lifetime of being a part of this wonderful community. Our staff is passionate about the Heart of the Lakes. We know its facts and secrets, inside and out. This is our greatest service to you!
My father purchased this company back in 1974. It is the oldest real estate company operating in Annandale today. Since that time, I took over the family business and now my oldest son recently obtained his real estate license. Someday, maybe he’ll take over and continue the Oak tradition? We’ll have to wait and see. I’m proud to own and operate a successful business in the town I grew up in. And I do my business locally every chance I get.
So, back to the franchises. They can skip our door for now. They haven’t been able to show me how taking their name will offer a better service to our local buyers and sellers. And isn’t that what our job is all about?
Brugge
