The following question and the subject for this blog post was inspired by the blog post "Is Conventional Wisdom Always Right ? Contemplating Freakonomics." The first question asked in that blog post was:
What will happen to the traditional based brokerage model ?
What will and is happening depends entirely on 2 major groups: the Consumer and the Real Estate Industry. It is the consumer 
demands (keeping in mind the social/economic trends that affect the consumer) that will shape the next generation of Realtors. In our city and immediate area we see four Real Estate Brokerage styles that stand out.
•1) Green - Green is good for the environment and green is one of hottest words out there today along side of the word "sustainability". Face it folks, we all need to implement earth friendly life practices. The industrial revolution is so last century! Green Real Estate practices within the workplace, retrofitting old homes, and new green home construction is where it is at.
•2) Discount - We all love to save money ! Next to "Free", "Discount" is one of the top attention grabbing words for a consumer. New discount Brokerage models offer the consumer a choice. Many people love the a la carte menu options such as flat fees, sliding scale options, and a variety of commission percentages that offer different services.
•3) NeoTraditional - This manufactured art history inspired term, Neotraditional is a Brokerage style that puts a fresh new face on the traditional "Old School" Realtor. It is a style that perfectly counter balances the Techie. Neotraditional Realtors embrace the tried and true elements of the client relationship. The best example of this in my opinion is the Brian Buffini approach. For those of you who do not know the Buffini method, it incorporates plenty of face to face meetings, consistent contact, providing a warm and professional flair that is certain to make you their Realtor for life!
•4) Techie - Gamer, IPod, Podcast, Google, Blog, Widgett. If you know and use any of these words, you may be a Techie. If you are still calling Techies "nerds", you are missing the boat. But seriously, grab your lifejacket and look at the explosion of consumers with an enormous familiarity with technology. In order to meed the needs of an inevitable tech generation, Realtors and Brokerages have adopted techniques in their marketing and business to reach the consumer. Tools such as Blogging and email campaigns have taken first position over print media. Texting and email are considered a valid means of negotiating offers. And that is just the tip of the technology iceberg. Technology is growing and changing every day.
All four of these styles are exceptional forms of practicing Real Estate today. They appeal to the modern day Consumer and they allow the Realtor to express their own creative personality. Jut remember, the Consumer largely drives the market. So, in essence, these 4 main styles were invented by the buyers and sellers of the world.
So, exactly what does that say about us right now? It says that Real Estate is not dead, stale, or static but very much alive, fresh, and evolving !!!
As a potential buyer or seller, what style do you gravitate toward ? What real estate style would you like to incorporate? How can you incorporate that new style into your daily practice ?
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