May 2009

About 2 years ago, I made the decision to leave the behind the safety net of the real estate brokerage which  provided me with all of the clients I could want. I knew that the long hours, non-existent days off and bad commission splits would never get better. If I wanted some balance in my life, I would have to find a way to generate enough business on my own. I talked to a lot of people, took a deep breath…and walked away from non-stop guaranteed clients.

I landed at The Kelsey Group, REALTORS, a locally owned independent brokerage. I have to admit that I didn’t do very much research before choosing Kelsey Group. I knew an agent at the office and she had wonderful things to say about the company. Plus, they had an affiliated company, Relocation Realtors, run out of the same office and promised to provide me with a few relocation clients as I built my own business. The compensation plan was so much better than at my old brokerage, and the owner promised to teach me everything I needed to know to get my business up and running.

It was a great decision.

I spent two years working with wonderful people. I learned to treat the housing market like an investment, focusing on housing appreciation rates and the impact of supply & demand on pricing. I decided I needed a website, then became a blogger. Before long, I became the company expert on blogging and social media, leading training sessions for the other agents. As my own business flourished, I shared my knowledge with my colleagues, rolled out an e-newsletter service and convinced the company to upgrade to the best home search software in the St. Louis area (Wolfnet’s IDX home search is the best!).

Last fall, I found out that the owner wanted to sell. I banded together with another agent and the office manager, and we tried to find a way to buy the company ourselves. After countless meeetings and many late night conference calls, I realized that it wasn’t the right move for me. I knew that change would come with new ownership. I started talking to other brokerages…just in case.

I’ve Moved…to Keller Williams:

Two weeks ago, I joined Keller Williams Realty St. Louis.

It was the best decision I’ve made in a long time.

Keller Williams offers the training and services to help me take my business to the next level. With an even better compensation package than at my last company, I’ll have the resources to provide my listing clients with the best available marketing of their homes.

Founded in 1983 in Austin, Keller Williams has grown into an international company that is now the 4th 3rd largest real estate company in America. Though I’ve gravitated in the past to small locally owned businesses, I know that joining KW will give me access to cutting edge training and technology. Before choosing Keller Williams, I met with most of the other big brokerages in St. Louis, and a few independent ones too. I am positive that there isn’t a better brokerage in the St. Louis area for me and my clients.

Keller Williams is giving me a place to create my own small business. A business that is based on integrity, excellence and providing the best possible service to my clients.

The future looks bright.

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