Meanwhile, back at the ranch…. (Or Creating a local, independent, powerhouse brokerage)

Bob and I opened our own office, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc. in 2000.  Good friend and friendly competitor Dan Jordinelli had already opened his own office, Jordinelli and Associates,  in 1986.   I like to think that over the years both offices have built up some recognition and respect.

A few weeks ago, Dan approached us with a proposal.  Dan wants to close his office and join us. He wants to get back in the field and do what he loves: Sell real estate. Oh, and some of his agents want to come along.

So, as the global financial markets are collapsing, amidst this ruin of all space, shattered glass and toppling masonry,  I’ve been rather preoccupied with the notion of creating a local, independent, powerhouse brokerage in Northeast Los Angeles, in this new, post-bail-out era of real estate.

I’ve read all Sean Purcell’s posts here, here, here, and here all Mike Farmer’s posts here, here, here, here, here, and here.  But, in the end, while the new models and structures suggested are very intriguing,  I decided on a simple, basic, traditional commission split model.  Agent gets XX%.  Company gets XX%.

Branding? I have no concern over agents designing their own logos, their own business cards with their color schemes, and running their own businesses in a way that works for them.  I want only core concept associated with my company:  Excellence.  I want our people recognized as the most knowledgeable and most competent.

However, there is one area where I do want to impose some structure:  The taking and marketing of listings.  Marketing a listing as Greg demonstrates in http://www.abetterlisting.com is a definable, perfectible praxis.  No matter which agent in the company they list with, I want sellers to know they can expect proper pricing, good preparation and presentation, good photography, a custom web-site, custom signage.

Meanwhile, there are practical and pragmatic issues to address.  I usually identify myself as a “high-functioning hoarder” so the process of making room for several new people in the office has been interesting.   My Ebay/Etsy photo studio, the giant screen TV and Bob’s exercise equipment are now all artfully arranged in one room of our building.  Old files and excess furnishings have been hauled to a Public Storage unit.

I even printed a sign for the office refrigerator door  “Any open package, can, or bottle containing partially consumed food or beverage items remaining in the refrigerator for more than 48 hours will be removed and discarded.”