Mike Prodehl
Executive Vice President, Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell
Do you think brokerages will grow their agent counts next year, or will most decrease or stay the same? Most companies will see a decline in agent counts due to the license law change that requires all real estate agents to become brokers in 2012. This change comes with additional education in order to qualify, and should cause a certain amount to leave the business. Those companies that will increase agent counts will do it through mergers and acquisitions.
What should brokerages do to gain agents or hold their count even and keep agents from leaving next year? Stay up-to-date with the current trends in technology, products and tools. Retain your current agents by making this commitment and recruit agents with the same philosophy.
Do you think more or less brokerages will choose to expand and open new offices in 2012? Most brokers will sit tight and see what happens in 2012. Those that choose to grow will not do it through start-ups, but again, will grow through mergers and acquisitions.
What are Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell’s plans and goals for 2012? Our plan is to concentrate on the internal strengthening of our company. We want to ensure that our agents are the most informed and best equipped to handle the complexities of our ever-changing market. That said, we will also look at strategic growth opportunities that may present themselves.