Field Guide to Opening A Real Estate Brokerage
(Updated August 2009)
Thinking about opening your own real estate business? Find out if you are ready to be a boss, tips on writing a business plan and much more. (A. Siudzinski, Senior Information Specialist)
How to Introduce Your Firm to the Neighborhood
Person to person contacts
Direct mail
Newspaper advertising
Publicity
Radio and Television
Office open house
Source: Real estate office management, (Chicago, IL: Real Estate Education Company, 2004 Ed. 4). HF 5438 R22r
Striking Out on Your Own
From agent to brokerage is a huge step, (realestate.about.com, 2009).
My favorite thing about opening my own brokerage, (The Phoenix Real Estate Guy, Mar. 11, 2008).
New office start-up, (Florida REALTOR®, July 2007).
The Fundamentals of Running a Real Estate Brokerage, (www.forbes.com, July 11, 2007).
Agent wonders if it's time to open her own shop, (Realty Times, Oct. 6, 2006).
Online Exclusives: Stepping Out on Your Own, (REALTOR® Magazine Online Exclusives, July 2006).
For brokers: start-ups, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2006).
Opening an Office: A Guidebook for REALTORS® Considering Opening Their Own Office, (Iowa Association of REALTORS®, n.d.).
Starting a firm in a slow housing market, (Realty Times, Nov. 26, 2003).
Creating a Business Plan
Essentials of a business plan, (Florida REALTOR® , Mar. 2008).
A sample business plan outline, (The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, Sept. 1, 2005).
Business planning 101, (REALTOR® Magazine, Jan. 2001).
Business plan preparation, (Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, n.d.).
Business plans, (Business Week Online, n.d.).
U.S. Small Business Administration - This website should be the first stop for anyone wanting to start a business. Topics covered include startup basics, writing a business plan, financing, marketing, employment, and tax topics. This site also has special areas for women business owners, veterans, minorities, Native Americans and young entrepreneurs. You can also find a local SBA office for further assistance.
SCORE Association - As "Counselors to America's Small Business," SCORE provides counseling for would-be entrepreneurs through e-mail and confidential one-to-one meetings. 389 chapter offices provide this free service. SCORE's website offers free e-newsletters, online articles, quizzes, tips and a business toolbox.
CCH Business Owner's Toolkit - CCH brings together information you need to start a business--planning and financing, marketing, staffing, taxes, equipment and much more.
Inc. Magazine - The How-To Guides offer Inc. Magazine articles on such informative topics as writing a business plan, buying a franchise, choosing a form of incorporation, financing, hiring, marketing, e-commerce and much more.
Entrepreneur Magazine - From choosing a business structure to naming your business, this website highlights the nitty-gritty basics of business star-ups. How-to guides, online newsletters and a resource center of articles provide helpful information for your start-up.
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Business plans that work: a guide for small business (Adobe eReader)
The small business startup kit (Adobe eReader)
The Accidental Startup (Adobe eReader)
Start-Up! A beginner's guide to planning a 21st century business (Adobe eReader)
Legal guide for starting and running a small business (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Real estate brokerage essentials: managing legal and business issues, (Chicago: National Association of REALTORS®, 2006). HD 1386 N21
Broker to Broker: Management Lessons, (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley , 2006). HF 5500 F87b
Real estate brokerage: a management guide, (Chicago: Dearborn, 2004).
HF 1375 C99 Ed. 6
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Franchises vs. Independents
Field Guide to Compensation Plans for Real Estate Agents
Field Guide to Real Estate Office Policy Manuals
Field Guide to Appraisal of Real Estate Firms & Selling Your Book of Business
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