Get Big or Get Boutique

Posted on 20. Nov, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

The days of the single-office, generalist, residential brokerage may soon be over.  Those who survive this down market will most likely have done so because they will have made the choice between getting bigger or becoming a specialist firm, a boutique.
This is a common theme within any industry facing the kinds of historic challenges that [...]

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Words From the Past as We Look to the Future

Posted on 05. Nov, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
-The Declaration of Independence (1776)

“A little revolution now and then is a good thing.”
-Thomas Jefferson (1787)

“Values have shrunk to fantastic levels; [...]

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As the Economy Tightens, Don’t Lose Focus on Ethics

Posted on 03. Oct, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

As an industry, we are all suffering right now in large part because too many people over a long period of time checked their ethical compasses at the door.  Whether we like it or not, we are all caught up in this mess and few people are differentiating the players – since we are part [...]

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Market Phases: The Data Speaks

Posted on 23. Sep, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

Posted by Nicolai Kolding
A few days ago I offered the idea that the direction of the residential real estate market is driven first by transaction sides then by price.  The basic theory that the market is cyclical is obviously not unique.  There are several different views on this; my cycle has eight phases (with Phase I being Paradiso [...]

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Market Phases

Posted on 18. Sep, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

Posted by Nicolai Kolding
In trying to decide how to respond to the Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, and AIG debacles, I’ve concluded that the best answer is to remind all of us to focus locally, where real estate really matters.  This isn’t to say that the news isn’t important but (a) this shall pass, and (b) [...]

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What Keeps You Up at Night?

Posted on 09. Sep, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

Photo by JOE M500/Flickr.com
Posted by Nicolai Kolding
I’m an insomniac.  That hardly makes me unique around here – it’s a bit of a running joke in our halls as we see each other in the morning:  “So, how many times did you wake up last night?!”  On many nights there are just too many ideas spinning [...]

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5 Ways to Cut Costs…and Still Profit

Posted on 04. Sep, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

The advantage of implementing these ideas is that they’re relatively easy and provide measurable results. Plus, I would think that positioning your company for the future would include shifting advertising dollars to online sources, eliminating faxes and excessive printing, and limiting your footprint.

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308 Days and Counting?

Posted on 28. Aug, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

I’d look at all of my leases and see if I could get ever leaner and meaner. I would challenge every last square foot of space, not only because it cuts back on a big line-item but because having a 4,000 square-foot cube-farm isn’t how I’d want to position myself for the future. At the same time, I’d be looking around my market to see who was not in a position to survive the winter and look to acquire. My goal wouldn’t be to stretch myself into a new market, but to strengthen my operations with good, productive, reputable agents.

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Financing the New Real Estate Office

Posted on 18. Jul, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

Posted by Nicolai Kolding
On July 3rd, I proposed three floorplans for a residential sales office.  I’ve taken all of the comments that followed into consideration and would like to offer up just one more plan:

Marc Diaz and Marc Davison each had some great suggestions.  “Marc’s House” (boy did I get lucky they each have the same first [...]

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Designing the New Real Estate Office

Posted on 03. Jul, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

I think it’s well past time for the layout of the “traditional” real estate office to change.  As a customer, I see woefully little that is designed around my needs.  As someone with a vested interest in the success of this industry, I see wasted costs galore that make my stomach churn.  As I’ve written [...]

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As Good As It Gets?

Posted on 13. Jun, 2008 by Nicolai Kolding.

Dear brokerage owners and managers:
I know times are awfully tough right now and, believe me, I’m not trying to kick you while you’re down. But I have a nagging question I need to ask: have you considered the possibility that you may never make more money than you are today? I’m not even thinking about [...]

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