Find your space and plant a flag in the markets you serve

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When I talk with real estate professionals in my capacity as the Director of Growth for eXp California, one of the questions people ask is the physical location or office space where they work. Even though brokerages no longer require desk manning or on-site hours, and many brokerages don’t even offer dedicated desk space to agents, the idea of ​​a virtual brokerage can still be a challenge for some.

In reality, however, your brand is you. This means establishing your own physical office space makes more sense than working in a space with someone else’s name, colors, and logo plastered on it.

Here are just some of the many benefits of maintaining your own office space:

• An office designed just for you can help you create a more professional image. It builds goodwill and trust and assures clients that you are a serious, dedicated, full-time agent.

• Having your own office gives you privacy and a space to focus. You can work when you’re most productive, rather than following someone else’s schedule.

• Maintaining your own office can offer tax benefits and a variety of deductions from costs to depreciation to renovations, depending on whether you buy or lease. (As always, be sure to discuss your specific financial situation with your tax advisor.)

• Building your own office makes you part of a geographical and professional community. Increase your impact through chambers of commerce and small business-focused community events.

• When you make your office a venue for training and client appreciation events, it makes you work harder. Add storage and organization features to increase your efficiency and productivity.

The best part? Even if you change teams or agencies, most will allow you to have affiliates so you can establish yourself in a space and stay there for the long term.

If you’re considering starting your own real estate office, here are some great options.

co-working space

If you’re just getting started and don’t want to rent commercial space yet, a coworking space is a great first step. Your membership is usually billed monthly, so if you’re not satisfied with the first place you try, you can find another one you like.

Many coworking locations include reserved spaces like conference rooms and podcast studios, offering greater flexibility and affordability. Find a place that hosts meetups and professional development events so you can meet other entrepreneurs and business owners in your field.

Historic area cottage or bungalow

Many of the city’s historic districts include mixed-use residential/commercial homes that have been renovated and converted into offices. This gives you the opportunity to create a welcoming atmosphere that allows potential clients to imagine their dream space. You can also rent out your desk space to other entrepreneurs and offset your monthly rent.

One advantage of this option is that you at least have a small lawn. This is a great location for outdoor client events such as picnics or Easter egg hunts.

main street store

Grab a spot downtown near the coolest neighborhood coffee shop, barbershop, salon, or local dentist to take advantage of the visibility and foot traffic it offers. As you become an integral part of the community and residents’ daily lives, you will become a familiar, friendly face and a valuable resource for local real estate market information.

Stylish loft space

Converted mills and factories often have loft-style mixed-use office and residential spaces that you can use to create a cool, youthful vibe. Get to know your neighbors, host a customer appreciation event, and become a part of the lives of the residents, business owners, and employees you encounter every day.

warehouse space

Looking for wide-open space? An industrial style warehouse space may be just what you are looking for. This is a good option if you store a lot of furniture and accessories for home staging, or maintain on-site printing equipment or other large items. You can even park your cool car there as a fun conversation starter.

All of these spaces offer you the opportunity to do something fun and different in a unique setting. Increase your profile and visibility by creating an office that fits the niche, interests, and micromarkets of your ideal clients.