Why Buy a Real Estate Company? I've Doubted the Decision Myself ;)

This post has been a long time coming. The 10 year anniversary of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate seems like an appropriate time to post it.

I’ve questioned why I bought a company, when in truth, it doesn’t make sense on the surface. I made more money with less stress and headache as an agent. I had, after all, been asked to be an owner of one of the biggest brands in the business that was just recognized with an award for their corporate culture and I turned them down.

Being a company owner wasn't on my goals list this year, it was unexpected, but what at first seemed like an insurmountable obstacle before me I soon saw as an opportunity. Albeit an incredibly challenging one... but an opportunity nonetheless. 

In the process of becoming owner and broker over the past few months, my eyes have been forced open to the ugliness, greed, deceit and lies that seemed to come easily to some people around me, one that was a long term friend before I was even licensed. I’ve been called one particular name that I wouldn't repeat, much less call someone else and been the subject of harsh criticism based on gossip, rumor and innuendo. All anyone would have to do is come to me and ask and I would tell them the truth. But I suppose, in a way, it's easier to make assumptions based on bits and pieces of what can be gathered from different sources, put them together to create a story you believe is true and then form judgements that are harsh and, in one particular case, have come at me with unyielding anger over something I do not control. 

When an agent that left the company told me they didn’t bring on any of the turmoil that occurred prior to the buyout, I replied: "I didn’t either. I could have walked away just like others did." That would have been easier. But I didn’t. I chose the much more difficult road because I felt it was the right thing to do and look at where it's gotten me in this particular case...

None of this was my doing or any other agents. I've simply tried to make the best of a truly unfortunate situation. Which I’m convinced anyone else would have walked away from. Instead I paid agents commissions out of my own personal money because there was no company money to pay them. All the while losing more in my own commissions I will never be paid on than most people make in a year.

When I doubt that chosen direction I look to my SC 2011 pink office wall, the picture with Sherry at Fusion, the notes, cards, momentoes and other pics - some from people I know personally, others I haven’t met - and I know that through the tough times I’ve got this, my choices are correct and I am leading in the right direction. If people don’t see it, if they complain about the franchise fees or the splits, then they don't get the vision and they should go elsewhere. 

It's short term vs. long term vision. Short term gain in money or talent acquisition never pays off in a well developed and executed long term business plan. It’s similar to hype vs. substance.

That’s one of my "better moments" when I “got” it. It’s not about money I believe I’m due, that I believe all belongs to me because “I” earn it alone. Nope. It’s about quality, value of services received for what I pay in from my incoming commissions, that I am a part of something greater than myself, a team where we all learn, earn and build to be better from each other with true substance behind it.

So why choose to own now? The answer is paramount: because of the true brand value. Hype dies after a while, new people must be brought into the cattle call, dunked in the water at the revival then go forth to spread the hype to others.

Bigger isn't necessarily better.

I put 100k into the company bank account. It’s gone now. In my opinion it was all well spent. You could say went to a bet, which is true in a way. But it’s a bet I’m willing to take because I believe so wholeheartedly in the brand and the culture of the Success office. Within this office I became the perennial #1 agent in the market, but more importantly I became empowered, coming into my own in a way I never expected. This is why I get out of bed every day and lead with the passion I feel for this business, this brand and the people I hold close to me.

Life is about learning, evolving over time into our best. Being open to this process of learning, especially from leadership that is talented, wise, balanced and strong in more ways than business savvy, makes me BETTER. If it were just about money, I would never see the true value before me - which is worth much more than a cap or 100% split. This allows me to enjoy a better quality of life, work smarter, not harder, grow into my best version of myself and find confidence, strength and empowerment along the way.

I knew when I bought the Success office it likely wouldn’t be profitable for a long time to come - that it would take a lot of my own money to keep it going. And I continue to put money into it and I’m okay with that. Because I believe that much in what this brand and the leadership is doing and what I can do for the people that choose to align themselves with BHGRE. An office agent told me that this process over the past few months has allowed my eyes to be opened, to see people's true colors and hold close to me those that deserve my best, the brands best and the true, substantive culture we create and maintain.

"Culture eats strategy for lunch." - Sherry Chris, President & CEO of BHGRE

It’s been said “you are the company you keep.” I am thankful on the 10 year anniversary of BHGRE that I am surrounded by not just the best in the business, but beyond.