Big Happy Family.

As an independent agency a common objection we have to navigate is the size of our team versus the alleged might and advantage of the larger franchise networks.

I spend alot of time explaining to people that this so called ‘team’ is far from what's on the box, and the truth is most agents work alone, and the culture in many offices is toxic.

These so called ‘networks’ are individually owned offices that have very little to do with each other. In some instances they ruthlessly compete with each other, rather than work as one.

In addition, the super teams that you see advertised in some offices are not teams at all. Each individual agent is an independent contractor and there is little incentive for these ‘businesses’ within the business to work together.

Last week, I looked at a house that our client had just bought through another agent. That agent then pitched for their property to sell…these people already had an existing relationship with another agent in that office but it was put to them that they then had to choose which one to deal with. These guys aren’t a team, they are competitors that just happen to sit 10 feet away from each other.

Independent contractors get paid commission only, so why would they collaborate to help their client and split their fee, they wouldn’t (and they don’t).

The real estate industry has become its own worst enemy. Now many networks are offering agents huge commission splits which means instead of one big team they become a hot house of greedy mercenaries...the design of these businesses forgets one thing...the consumer.

As a seller if you are looking for a team to work with you, it's likely that you will be much better off with an independent that isn't shackled to franchise obligations and costs.

But of course I would say that...

Until next week,

David