Andy - I too am in the same position - it's just me (have a hard time being able to "trust" bringing on agents. I read our r.e.board's posting of violations on their website and it can be just downright scary trusting some agents).

I work 95% from home, except when I have a buyer client.

I would seriously love to drop the expense of an official office - just the expense, not the office itself. The rent is only $300/mo. plus $55 for internet connection, but I've got office liability insurance also. It doesn't cost that much, but it's doubled in just four years. I reckon it doesn't help with all the natural disasters the world is experiencing.

I've often thought of approaching several other lone brokers and asking if they'd like to share the expense of the office but I haven't figured out how to divvy up the costs of printer ink and paper - as that'd get used very quickly I'm sure. Then you have to deal with the one broker who uses up all the ink and paper and then next one comes in an hour later and it's all gone and their clients are showing up in 15 minutes. I could have a locked file drawer with supplies, but you can't give all of them a key b/c one is probably bound to still use all the supplies up.

Any suggestions?

Ever consider something like ServCorp? It's the only brand I know, but I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives as well... if the only reason you need an office is for the client meetings, then it may be a great cost efficient alternative.

It also may project your business to be bigger/better than it actually is... which could be good or bad (but if you're in the DMV area, I would imagine that being good).