I started my business out of my home, and I am considering getting an office space. I’m not sure my home workspace conveys a professional image to my clients. For those that work from home, or have in the past… How do you manage working from home, receiving clients and such, or has any one moved into an office space?

Clients don't need to know you work at home. I am not clear if you are a Realtor or not, but if so, your broker likely has a conference room to meet clients in. I meet my clients in any number of places - hotel lobbies, coffee shops, builders/developers conference rooms, title company closing rooms.

It usually is easier to find alternate locations, because even if you had an office it may not be convenient to your client or the area you are showing homes in. Having many options and showing flexibility and a strong network will make you seem "in the know" and professional to your clients.

I just gave up my office space after paying an extra $200/mo for the last two years and working in it twice. Yes, twice.

My recommendation is to develop a network of people/spaces you can utilize, and invest in technology that makes a mobile office more efficient - broadband card for your laptop, mobile/wireless printer, etc. Clients will love it when they can enjoy a cup of coffee while you print up an offer, instead of having to schlep back to your office on the other side of town.

TB is right. I’d hold off on an office as long as you can. Right now is not a god time to be taking on additional costs, especially if you’ve made do from home. I work remotely from the company office, as do other agents. We’re tied together by a virtual phone system called Gotvmail and we also use Twitter to communicate internally. So even though we’re remote, we’re connected to our office through a single number. That's all the office I need or want.

I also think bringing a customer into your home sends a great message that you too are a homemaker. If you keep your domicile clean and cozy, I think it develops an affinity with your client.

I work from home and couldn't imagine it really any other way. I stop by our office occasionally and it seems half the people are just jib jabbing about how bad the market is, etc. If you can remain self motivated and avoid the easy distractions of home...TV, refrigerator, Wii, etc then keep the home office. Meet your clients at a coffee shop. Get your self a blackberry and e-fax and you can work from anywhere.

What brand has worked for you?

Canon. But I can't remember what model I have. I am sure other brands are good too.

I would find one on craigslist and try it out before paying full price for one if you aren't sure.

Hi,

You can have a virtual office. It will save you a lot and at the same time you would look professional.

Advantage of having a virtual office:

1. No need to Rent
2. You will have your own virtual staff for less than half the price of a regular employee and much more...

Virtual Office is the new trend in starting a business now a days.

If you are interested, I would to explain it to you furthermore.

Mark

There are also tax advantages (Canada) in having your business in your home.

I find it great to wake up and be at work. I do miss some of the social aspects of going into an office though...

There are many advantage of working from home but in my opinion once you need to start having clients come in to meet you and/or full time employees you should start to consider some affordable office space.

Compete Realty Team
Compete Realty - Real estate agents compete for your listing
http://www.CompeteRealty.com/

We started our company in July 06 and work out of our house. We meet clients where it is convenient for them. Turns out consumers like this style of business as it takes the pressure off of them. It has never been questioned and it has never gotten in the way.

With the majority of buyers utilizing the internet prior to talking to an agent I see the days of floor time gradually going away.

I don't ever see working out of an office again and the 40k my wife and I don't have to pay to remax anymore is icing on the cake.

I work from home,but once a while i run into clients who want to meet and talk about it and that is why it is good to have some kind of shared office space somewhere.
Also, realtors ,a lot of times want to drop off contracts and stuff like that and I do not want them to visit my home.
They kind of give you that look like LOL!

I don't have an Office in my Home . . . . I just live in the Office:



My Office occupies about 600SF towards the North End of the Dwelling with its own small WashRoom; pretty well isolated from the rest of the House. A Licensee is here 168 Hours per Week. I'm on a Numbered Highway and can easily be found. I'm out in the Boonies, and after 14 years doing this here, would never consider going somewhere else to work.

I think Henry Ford said "To Sell a Ford, you have to Drive a Ford". I Sell the Boonies; so I feel I have to look/live like I know what I'm Selling !

I chopped a New Door into this Old (1834) House to make sure people could enter the Office without feeling they were entering thru someone's Living Quarters; and there's plenty of Parking near the Office Entry. And the Office Windows provide ample views of the Valley, WildLife and Mountains beyond.

Our Marquee along the Road changes twice a week, and there's always a different Property rotating from the North and South faces. Those are 4" Letters (legible at 100' @50MPH). It works at advertising 24/7 . . . . For Free !

Having a Home Office also demands that you eliminate any other distractions in the Environment like . . . . Pets; Children; Noises; Cooking Odors (or other less appealing smells); or any evidence of Hobbies or other activities un-related to Real Estate.

If you create an Office now; you must also comply with the ADA. Also, being so Public, I just hate it when people stop by and pretend to be Real Estate Customers . . . . but They really just wanted to use the WashRoom !

But, that comes with the Territory; they're only Human Beans!

brrrr the icicles on your adorable office make me chilly (says she who just got back from showing 4 parcels that were 30 + Acres each wearing a knitted babushka, two scarves, fur lined boots, and a fleece lined parka.

my nose still hurts.

make some space for professional outlook in personal space.change the environment according to your possibility and you can choose any one of them.

I had a home office for many years while still also working out of my sponsoring broker's offices. Now that I am on my own the office in my home is my only one and I won't even consider ever going back to working out of someone elses office. Without any other agents working for me there is no issue of invading personal privacy, most of my meetings with clients and/or customers are located at their convenience (which my office isn't due to location). Once in a great while another agent will stop to drop off an offer in person or a buyer will stop by to initial the final contract changes but other than that it is still our home.

I am set up out of the main stream of household activities and have a 2nd 'phone line (which I can also pick up at another 'phone if I'm here but not actually in the office). Just a small sign outside, enough to comply with the state requirements.