MKH Brokerage Models
Written by Mary Kay Hopkins
A couple of years ago, I re-entered the brokerage world after satisfying a 5 year non-compete clause, a condition I agreed to when I essentially sold my real estate business. Creating the brokerage model for my new company, Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC, has been as rewarding as building my original firm. Frankly, it is still evolving!
The two primary models for sellers are considerably different than the traditional real estate firm I owned for 25 years.
- A Partnership Model was my first effort. This approach means that homes, land, or commercial property is listed through Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC with me partnering with other agents/firms who place signs, advertise, and show and deal with buyers, leaving me as the sole broker/agent for the seller. The agents and firms I team with are selected based on a variety of factors, including their familiarity with the area and type of property. The seller is provided a clear explanation that the agent working with the buyer, represents that buyer and not the seller.
- The more recent innovation involves my directly listing the property with the major difference being that the listing fee is based on a negotiated hourly rate with the fee for the buyer's broker based on the more typical, market rate. Like the Partnership Model, I serve as the sole broker/agent for the seller. Unlike the Partnership Model, my signage is utilized, typically reading, "Ask your REALTOR about MLS XXXXXX". The seller absorbs direct, pre-approved expenses. On higher priced properties, owners saves a great deal of money on the listing side. In the case of absentee owners, other administrative, management type services are also provided. While I respond to sales calls and am happy to provide information on my listings, propsects must seek their own agent should they want to submit an offer.
Neither model allows disclosed dual agency. This means that I do not represent buyers on my listings. Regardless of the model, pricing, reporting, creation of the marketing plan, implementation of internet marketing-including domains specific to the listing, and negotiations are my primary roles.
An example of listings placed with Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC can be found at BarbeProperty.com.
Because of my current work load dealing with two major estates, I am not currently working with buyers other than as explained above.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding my model, please give me a call at 337-439-1079 or e-mail me at
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