This is a new business model for commercial real estate brokerage however maybe it can be for residential brokers also.

There’s a new commercial real estate brokerage in Southwest Florida — the names and faces will be familiar.

Fort Myers-based Grubb & Ellis | 1st Commercial is no more. In its place is the latest Lee & Associates | Naples-Fort Myers.

Richard Clarke, one of the local brokerage’s owners, said he and his partners jumped from Grubb & Ellis to Newport Beach, Calif.-based Lee & Associates because its decentralized business model makes more sense for them.

More ..... http://www.news-press.com/article/20111205/RE/312050004/New-Naples-Fort-Myers-brokerage-offers-alternative

Hello fellow ACERs. 

I am aware of the requirements to become a Broker. I am looking to speak/email with someone that can go over the costs associated with opening my own company as a broker independent of a franchise.

Any information or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Trent

trent.seidl@yahoo.com

By Jose Perez  

We all know the mantra…you have to change to survive these days. That said, how many people are stuck in the old paradigms and not doing enough of the right things because they are afraid of upsetting the people around them?

Too many, in my opinion! Let me give you some examples:

Inman News wants to hear your perspective on the practice of dual agency and similar forms of representation in which one agent works with a seller and buyer in the same real estate sale.

Express your views:

• Do consumers understand dual agency and similar forms of representation? And if so, do they accept them?
• Is it possible for an agent to serve the interests of a buyer and a seller in the same transaction?
• Is it OK for two agents from the same office to adequately represent a buyer and seller, respectively, in the same transaction?
• When do dual agency and similar forms of representation work best for all parties?
• What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of dual agency and similar forms of representation?

http://www.inman.com/news/2011/09/7/the-dual-agency-debate

http://realtyconsults.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/the-dual-agency-debate/

I have been working on an office procedural process for hourly fee/fee-for-service transactions…  As always, I tend to over think it and wonder how I facilitate transactions once other brokers in our office become ACRES.  Granted we have procedures for processing paperwork for the traditional model, but besides state and local fees, does anyone have a suggestion on how the brokerage itself should charge brokers for facilitating hourly fees/fee-for-service transactions….  I am not asking for a specific number, just a general idea of what other office owners are doing… 

I am a huge fan of Go Daddy and wonder has anyone used them to develop a website which implements an online calculator to compute a client’s fees then offers PayPal or Google Checkout to process these transactions?  ACRE has a great website members can purchase as an individual broker but does ACRE have advice  for online facilitation for hourly fee/fee-for-service models? 

 I will call Go Daddy tomorrow and see what suggestions they have for a storefront application…  I think traditional banks would be too expensive for their storefront applications…  

I feel fairly comfortable with my specific fee schedule but uneasy when it comes to brokerage procedures when processing transactions for our brokers who will soon be ACREs.

I gave IE9 the boot...  Too much trouble!!

Hello!

This question is for Mollie, but if anyone else has input- please share!

I see on one of your marketing packages, you had a link to more information for Keller Williams agents.  The link is no longer active, but I am wondering how much Gary Keller knows about this program and if indeed he is open to it?  I am with a KW branch in Arizona and so far, my brokers are not exactly excited about the idea of me consulting.

I am the broker of a large office which operates on commission fees. I believe that some consumers will opt for consulting fees if given the choice and I am curious to know how brokers are splitting the fees with their sales associate.

In our office there is a minimum cost to open and process a transaction which attracts a file fee to the sales associate, If a sales associate did a small consultation there would often be very little left for them after office fees.

I am hoping to generate some discussion around this topic with brokers or sales associates who are currently using the consulting fee model or anyone else who has information or opinions on this topic.

ACRE wants to help us succeed! Anyone interested in participating in a Virtual Mastermind Group of ACRE Brokers, please chime in and/or contact me directly.

Some topics of discussion include:
Where are you with using the ACRE model?
What have been your successes?
What have been your failures?
What are drivers for your success?
What are the barriers that prevent you from success in using the ACRE model in your brokerage?
How do you structure compensation?
Sharing of best practices....and other topics that the group would like to focus on.

Please let me know if you are interested in participating, some time blocks of when you would be available for conference calls and how frequently you want to hold calls (once a week, 2x/month, once/month,once/quarter).

Once we understand the interest level, Ron Stuart and I will coordinate and post details. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Stacy Erickson (ACRE Broker Liaison)
Broker/Owner
Halcyon Realty Group
Mesa, AZ
Stacy@AZHRG.com

Below is the text of a message sent out earlier today to known ACRE® Brokers. To cover the possibility of missing anyone, as well as to solicit input from others, I reproduce it here:

Dear ACRE® Colleagues:

You are receiving this missive because you are both a Broker and an ACRE®.

As part of the ACRE® Webinar Series we would like to pull together the collective opinions, knowledge, wisdom and experience of the ACRE® Broker Community as it relates to the idea of setting up and operating a “Consulting Only Brokerage.” It will probably take the form of a Moderated Round Table Discussion and your participation will be important.

At this point we need an indication of your interest in the subject, whether or not you might be willing to participate and generally your thoughts on the idea. We look forward to hearing from you this week at seminars@theconsultingtimes.com .

Best regards,

Ron Stuart
ACRE® Teleseminar/Webinar Coordinator

I was trying to discuss with a broker friend of mine the beauty of the ACRE. Her initial and unbendable issue was that the E and O coverage would be more than the worth of the program to her as the broker. Is there alternative waivers or something to protect the brokers against these litigious suits if there is only $150.00 per hour or task to pay for the high cost of the E and O deductible verse the 3% which in the eyes of this broker better cushions the blow. She is the broker owner of 2 large Keller Williams franchises and would be "THE FIT" for our mutual goals. THOUGHTS???