Big Box Agency or Boutique Firm? How do you choose your real estate agent?

The real estate market, especially in Fairfield County, CT, is exceptionally competitive.  With so many traditional "big box" companies, it's hard for the smaller independent firms to stand out in the crowd.  So how do you know if you should choose a big box agency or small real estate firm to help you buy or sell your home?

The majority of the time, a real estate union happens like this...

• You make the decision to buy a home.  
• You start scouring the real estate section of the paper or spend hours scrolling through countless real estate websites.  
• You finally find your dream home and dial up the agent who's representing it, only to find that the home you spent hours searching for is now pending a sale.  
• However, by making that connection, you now have a real estate agency who has found a potential buyer. 
• A relationship is formed and a contract is signed.

Let's face it, most of the time, the first home you see online is not the one you end up buying. So the most important thing to do before venturing out in the real estate market is to select the right agency.

Call me partial, but I've seen what goes on behind the scenes of a smaller agency, and I know many of our clients enjoy the individual experience they get from working with a boutique firm.  

Our agents are natives of the area; they know the ins and outs of each neighborhood and have connections galore.  They know that word of mouth and reputation count, so they're conscientious to give each person the attention they require, which is why the majority of our business comes from referrals of satisfied clients.

But to be fair, I've listed the pros and cons of both Big Box and Small Firms (c/o Colin Ryan for the Placester Real Estate Marketing Academy)...

"Independent real estate firms come in all shapes and sizes. Some have only a couple agents, while others have multiple offices. Nevertheless, because they don’t have to answer to tyrannical corporate policy, independent brokers are often more adaptable and give agents more direct input on policies and programs. Since they’re founded locally, independent companies also have a local authority, with a reputation for offering a more personal touch and deep knowledge of the area."

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

354 Pequot Avenue

Southport, CT  06890

(203) 255-7410

www.compass-reg.com

Article by Kim Fromentin