The last time I checked, only half of the real estate agents in America were Realtors®, and only half of those were members of a recognizable national or regional company brand. I suspect that the latter number is substantially less after the decimating recession we've experienced. Witness many independent brokerages emerging and the multiplication of personal or boutique brands. Realtor® teams - functioning like mini-companies - have exploded onto the real estate landscape. Sole proprietors have become common. Something is fueling this decentralization trend. What is it?
The old models are dying, conventional thinking is being challenged, and the handcuffs of large brokerages, be they golden or iron, are not effective anymore.
We have shown that technology has leveled the competitive landscape. Now every Realtor® can access all the knowledge, tools, and sophisticated business methods that were formerly reserved for the big brands only. The individual has been set free.
Admittedly, it is a bit of a mess in our industry right now, as all transitions and paradigm shifts are. Some of this change is ugly, embarrassing, and threatening; some novel ideas will die for good reason. Change is unsettling to most people; it stirs-up insecurities and fears. But much of this will improve life for many brokers and provide finer services for the public. True professionals have opportunities to flourish and entrepreneurs can craft their magic. There are so many new opportunities in the marketplace right now. It is amazing to think about it!