“the future of real estate today”

Are you truly an Independent Contractor?

This is an easy question to answer. Just ask yourself if you can develop your own program and create your own business model that addresses your concerns as well as those of your Clients. If your company dictates what you can and cannot do in regard to those issues it would appear that you are not truly independent and the best interests of the company supersede your and your Client’s needs.

Each year many companies tweak their compensation programs. These tweaks usually work to the benefit of the company. This very issue is why I chose to leave a company and open my own. I had no idea of having anyone else at Harbourtowne. I just sought protection from an increasing number of fees and costs. I wanted to be able to call my own shots and remove myself from a “one size fits all” mentality. I wanted to be able to increase my business by being able to do things that other agents could not do. I wanted to be in control of developing my own business model that worked for me and my Clients. As a 25-year real estate agent I believe that I made the best move for me.

It has long been my belief that agents are the asset as opposed to the company. If every agent walked out of any company today the value of that company in the market place would be zero. If that statement is true, then which is the asset; the company or the agent?

With all that being said if you ever consider changing your current situation I would ask only that you give me an opportunity to speak with you and introduce you to Harbourtowne Real Estate. This company has been in business since 1978 and I acquired it in 1997. I taught the incoming licensees for 14 years and the broker courses for 10 years. I was also on the Grievance Committee for 3 years.

Our company offers an 85%/15% split on all regular sales and there is a 90%/10% split on any property where an agent has an ownership interest with nothing off of the top and no transaction fees. We provide the yard signs for the agents at no cost, cover the E&O and offer the use of all the equipment (copier& copies, printer & printing, fax and computers) at no cost. I also allow the agents to negotiate their commissions with their Clients (the first company in this area to do so) and that ability is going to become more important as time goes on. Sellers are looking hard at listing commissions as the Internet activity explodes. We can also offer rebates to Buyers for using our agents to represent them in their purchase. I also have a means of allowing any agent that has an opportunity for commercial sales to do so.

I encourage them to use the tools available to them in order to have an opportunity to sway a Client in their direction. There is a monthly overhead contribution of $100 billed quarterly that covers the cost of all of the materials that are needed for the office to function and provide the other services listed above. This program has not changed once since 1997 and I see no changes in the future.

I also am committed to our agents. I am available to help with any phase of your real estate business from being involved with drafting and reviewing offers to help with personal marketing issues. My agents can contact me at any time thru the office or on my cell. I must be there for them if I expect them to always act in the best interest of the Client. I would encourage anyone to contact any of HRE’s agents and ask them about my support.

I know that other companies have come along that imitate what Harbourtowne started and I do perceive imitation as the highest form of flattery but we were the original and I could only ask that again, if you are looking to make a change, please allow me the chance to speak with you in confidence.

Whatever happens I wish you all a successful year.

Fudgy Brabham

Owner/Broker-in-Charge

Harbourtowne Real Estate, Inc

843.884.2826 x 22

843.568.1241