Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Since I started this thread, I have started working in a local boutique real estate sales office handling their social media and digital marketing. I'm a little more than halfway through RE school.
Regarding training, does anyone have any knowledge of the training program at Fonville Morisey? The BIC in the office I work for has just decided to join Fonville Morisey instead of continuing on as an independent. From what I can see Fonville appears to be a bit of a dying brand. Their website appears dated, it doesn't come up in a Google search for local real estate offices and you just never hear about them. It is also interesting that no one here has mentioned it as any of the big ones, even though it's obviously a national corporation.
I like the position I am in because, honestly, I love what I am doing with digital marketing. And I also love that it gives me a paycheck that I can use to fund my marketing plan for my own business. So, even though this office isn't a perfect fit, I am very hesitant to leave a position that would allow me such a flexible way to start my business. But now with the new Fonville connection, there is a whole new set of considerations. I would be grateful for any insight or perspective into that company.
My goal eventually is to start my own firm because I have a very specific vision for my own company that doesn't currently exist in the range of firms that are out there. So I would like to spend the next 2-3 years building my business, becoming an expert on the market and the sales process and fleshing out my vision to eventually implement when the time is right. My biggest concern about Fonville is the flavor I have gotten so far is kind of pushy and "sales-ey." Not the type of culture I want to learn from. But it's probably too early to tell because I've only had a couple of interactions so far. Any thoughts or advice?
Since I started this thread, I have started working in a local boutique real estate sales office handling their social media and digital marketing. I'm a little more than halfway through RE school.
Regarding training, does anyone have any knowledge of the training program at Fonville Morisey? The BIC in the office I work for has just decided to join Fonville Morisey instead of continuing on as an independent. From what I can see Fonville appears to be a bit of a dying brand. Their website appears dated, it doesn't come up in a Google search for local real estate offices and you just never hear about them. It is also interesting that no one here has mentioned it as any of the big ones, even though it's obviously a national corporation.
I like the position I am in because, honestly, I love what I am doing with digital marketing. And I also love that it gives me a paycheck that I can use to fund my marketing plan for my own business. So, even though this office isn't a perfect fit, I am very hesitant to leave a position that would allow me such a flexible way to start my business. But now with the new Fonville connection, there is a whole new set of considerations. I would be grateful for any insight or perspective into that company.
My goal eventually is to start my own firm because I have a very specific vision for my own company that doesn't currently exist in the range of firms that are out there. So I would like to spend the next 2-3 years building my business, becoming an expert on the market and the sales process and fleshing out my vision to eventually implement when the time is right. My biggest concern about Fonville is the flavor I have gotten so far is kind of pushy and "sales-ey." Not the type of culture I want to learn from. But it's probably too early to tell because I've only had a couple of interactions so far. Any thoughts or advice?
If I could knock off any website in town, it would be Fonville's.
SEO is over-rated. They offer data that no one else is offering.
The dowdy interface does need an upgrade, but offering some steak with the sizzle is a concept that escapes a great many other firms. Fonville's site is not all sizzle. There is some substance.
(As evidence, similar to Redfin advertisements in violation of CD TOS, FM Realty advertisments are one of the most common violations of the CD TOS in the Raleigh forum. http://www.city-data.com/forum/39818708-post6.html
It is a well-known brand, to the extent that it is routinely posted/advertised.)
To make a website matter in 2-3 years, content and delivery and visitor friendliness will matter more than SEO and trapping hapless sales leads. Anyone who isn't offering a VOW along with IDX and not updating as quickly as TMLS allows (all of which Fonville does) may as well just spend their money at Zillow and just keep telemarketing and delivering tchotchkes.
Are they an "old line" company? Maybe. Bo and Vicki on the Raleigh forum could answer questions about culture and progressiveness better than I could.
I have dealt with great agents and with truly miserable people there. Sort of like a lot of other firms.
Regardless where you land, know clearly what is yours and what is the company's. Moving to become independent is harder if the company owns your leads, your contact base, your signage, your internet presence, your email address, etc.
Last edited by MikeJaquish; 05-30-2015 at 10:55 AM..
If I could knock off any website in town, it would be Fonville's.
SEO is over-rated. They offer data that no one else is offering.
The dowdy interface does need an upgrade, but offering some steak with the sizzle is a concept that escapes a great many other firms. Fonville's site is not all sizzle. There is some substance.
(As evidence, similar to Redfin advertisements in violation of CD TOS, FM Realty advertisments are one of the most common violations of the CD TOS in the Raleigh forum. http://www.city-data.com/forum/39818708-post6.html
It is a well-known brand, to the extent that it is routinely posted/advertised.)
To make a website matter in 2-3 years, content and delivery and visitor friendliness will matter more than SEO and trapping hapless sales leads. Anyone who isn't offering a VOW along with IDX and not updating as quickly as TMLS allows (all of which Fonville does) may as well just spend their money at Zillow and just keep telemarketing and delivering tchotchkes.
Are they an "old line" company? Maybe. Bo and Vicki on the Raleigh forum could answer questions about culture and progressiveness better than I could.
I have dealt with great agents and with truly miserable people there. Sort of like a lot of other firms.
Regardless where you land, know clearly what is yours and what is the company's. Moving to become independent is harder if the company owns your leads, your contact base, your signage, your internet presence, your email address, etc.
I am aware that any deals I have that are currently open would legally belong to the firm if I left. Are you saying that some firms will also put into the contract that any contacts I have (business cards, contacts on my cell phone that I have done business with, an excel spreadsheet I keep on my computer with my previous clients, etc., belong to the firm as well, based on their contract? That would be pretty sneaky, if so.
And I really appreciate all your feedback, Mike. :-)
I am aware that any deals I have that are currently open would legally belong to the firm if I left. Are you saying that some firms will also put into the contract that any contacts I have (business cards, contacts on my cell phone that I have done business with, an excel spreadsheet I keep on my computer with my previous clients, etc., belong to the firm as well, based on their contract? That would be pretty sneaky, if so.
And I really appreciate all your feedback, Mike. :-)
To be binding, any "sneaky" is right up front, and in your contract you sign when you associate. Not just at Fonville, but with any firm.
Some twists:
Two numbers on your listing sign: Yours and the firm's. At some firms, the sales lead belongs to whichever number the customer calls first, and if you close the sale but they called the firm number, you may have to buy back a lead that your listing generated. Even if you generated the listing, and were there at 11:00 on Saturday night to close the listing agreement.
And, you have to buy that lead to help them re-sell the house in a few years, because it is not "your" contact.
And, you need to know if you can take that contact with you when you leave the firm.
But, many agents will trade independence for a flow of leads a firm may deliver, so they don't have to work as hard to build a book of business.
Do you have to input your contacts into the firm database? Does the firm have an expectation of how many contacts you will produce?
You want to hire an assistant. Your hire. Your expense.
How much does the firm charge you to have an assistant, or a buyer's specialist, etc?
Do you have to do floor time, sitting the front desk, hoping for a walk in or call in who doesn't have an agent?
Sure, you can leave a firm at any time. But, minimal surprises should be a goal. And, really, you don't want to jump around like a water bug on a hot plate. It is a pain in the neck moving.
One of the biggest issues I have with real estate brokerage is the treating of every nook and cranny as a revenue-producing opportunity, and taking the eyes off client service. The shameful fear of leaving a penny on the table leads to some really crass, classless behavior among too many brokers.
Regarding training, does anyone have any knowledge of the training program at Fonville Morisey? The BIC in the office I work for has just decided to join Fonville Morisey instead of continuing on as an independent. From what I can see Fonville appears to be a bit of a dying brand. Their website appears dated, it doesn't come up in a Google search for local real estate offices and you just never hear about them. It is also interesting that no one here has mentioned it as any of the big ones, even though it's obviously a national corporation.
Never heard of it. From what I've gleaned, it seems to be strictly North Carolinian.
I LOVE the FM website. I actually use it all the time to search instead of my own or MLS since it's easier to access. I can save properties , reject properties and make notes. I love it. I want to copy it as my own. I even send properties to clients from it. I tell my clients that it's not my website, but it's the best product and I'm going to use the best product. Sort of like the Santa in Miracle of 34th street telling parents where to buy the toys at a better price.
I'm in your area OP and I see FM signs everywhere. I don't know much about their split, but I wouldn't discount them because they are "over".
Speak with as many of them as you can, ignore the numbers and go with the one that feels like home. I spoke with nearly every large firm in the area when I got my license a couple month's ago, and I am glad I did not rush it, because the very last one I scheduled is where I ended up, and I could not be happier.
I LOVE the FM website. I actually use it all the time to search instead of my own or MLS since it's easier to access. I can save properties , reject properties and make notes. I love it. I want to copy it as my own. I even send properties to clients from it. I tell my clients that it's not my website, but it's the best product and I'm going to use the best product. Sort of like the Santa in Miracle of 34th street telling parents where to buy the toys at a better price.
I'm in your area OP and I see FM signs everywhere. I don't know much about their split, but I wouldn't discount them because they are "over".
This is very good to hear. Thanks for the feedback. :-)
Location: Mokelumne Hill, CA & El Pescadero, BCS MX.
6,957 posts, read 22,309,298 times
Reputation: 6471
In 1979 I got my license and went to work for a big regional company in the WA state area. I flopped around and barely made a living. By the time I realized my mistake, interest rates had zoomed up to 18% and higher afterwards. I moved to the largest independent office in the town and did a bit better, but the training I got with either of them was mostly via the office broker(s) who would point out my mistakes after the fact.
While valuable, it would have been nice not to have to learn the "hard knocks" method.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
