There are several reasons why you should choose to do business with a small independent real estate brokerage instead of a large national or regional big brand name.

1. Less potential for conflict of interest. Why? Imagine you are a Manager of a brokerage that has 60 or more agents, 10,000 sq ft of prime office/retail space and suddenly business has just dropped off. Also, there are several hundred more agents with your big brand name supporting another 50,000 sq ft of prime office/retail space located within the region. And you still have to pay your share of the Super Bowl Commercials and the 2 page spread in the local newspaper... Do you think that there might be some pressure to make sure that your agents buyers buy your listings and your listings get sold to your buyers? I'm certain that your real estate broker would never ever be motivated by such urgency and always keep your best interests at heart - but still I think you can see how a conflict of interest might arise - these brokers are human (really!). Independent brokers typically have fewer agents and lower overhead which puts them in the position to truly represent you and the chances for a potential conflict of interest are much much smaller.

2. The Internet. Recent federal anti-trust rulings and local rules for most multiple listing services say that a company web site may either list only their listed properties (which hardly anyone does because you would not visit their web site) OR they have to list them all. When you visit Big X realty web site you will pull search results from all the listings, even the one man shop. Conversely, the small shops have all the regions inventory on their website as well and are not over-encumbered by the slogans and marketing requirements of corporate headquarters. One great example would be this website right here (www.trustmadison.com). Please note: the author is the owner of this website. Finally, the access to online marketing tools has become simple and cost effective - anyone can use all the tools out there. Most of the big box store online gadgets are subcontracted to a company that offers the same services under a different name to the public at large. There is no longer any advantage!

3. Independents are Exposed. National franchise brokerages and regional multi-office brokerages all have large defense funds and attorneys on retainer. That might sound good but that money is mostly there to protect them from you the client - not to portect the client. Small brokerages just dont have that kind of capital and a well run small brokerage will take its job of overseeing its agents VERY seriously - because if they dont, they will be out of business. Our exposure is greater... The real estate world is very letigious.

4. Stimulate the Local Economy. Commissions earned pay for a lot of things. Typically, when you do business with a small independant brokerage, nearly all the commissions earned stay in the community. No national magazine / television commercials here!

5. More Personalized Service. I call it small dog syndrome without the bark. Independents have always struggled to compete with the TV advertising. This has caused may of us to become overachievers. We want to show you that we are better than them and that benefits you!