Change is everywhere, of course, and no industry/job description is immune from this. The shift appears to be societal, and affects the entire world, and every aspect of life.
In the real estate industry, there have been significant changes over time. Initially, the real estate companies were in control of the process of real estate sales, and this was termed the company centric model. In such a format, the realtors probably were all on a 50/50 "split", with the company paying many of their expenses, for that "half" of every commission "split".
Then, in the mid-70s, Dave Liniger and his wife began the Re/Max company, and, over time, this format changed the industry completely. It then became an agent centric model, and agents would be on a 60/40 "split", with their companies, often getting to a 90/10 "split" by year's end, based on their commission sales benchmarks. Each year returned them to the base 60/40. The Re/Max idea was that an upfront fee would be paid to the office, monthly, plus all expenses to be borne by the realtor, and then the commission would be the realtors (usually, though, it was a blend of an upfront fee and anywhere from 5 to 10% off the commission, going to the company as well).
The agent centric model ended with the Internet, although it wasn't immediately visible to most companies/realtors. Change takes time to work itself out!
Now, it's a consumer centric model that is fully in play, and the customer is in control of the processes of a sale, and not the agent or the company. Buyers can discover a great deal, on their own, through internet searches, and so the role of the agent/company has dramatically changed. The mls system, which is a strong feature in North America, is also having to change its methodology, based on the demands of the computer saavy consumer.
It may be, then, that one will see "big box" companies and boutique real estate ventures side by side, and the virtual world of real estate will take precedence over older models. As Heraclitus noted, long ago, in Ancient Greece, one never steps in the same water twice, when wading in a river. Change is the only constant, thus.
In real estate marketing, it's essential to be in the moment, and the moment is now in favour of the consumer.
More big changes coming up, to mirror this profound difference in the industry.
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