There’s a fascinating blog post up at The Notorious R.O.B. that you’ve just gotta read. It talks about a movement he’s dubbed the “Kristians,” named after Kris Berg, that basically goes a little something like this: “The Swarm,” made up of boutique firms, small independents and high-quality agents, is empowered by technology and social media that’s supplied by third-party providers.

“The Swarm” is thought to be where the future of real estate lies. Not with huge corporate brokerage firms and franchises, since they don’t provide any kind of meaningful support to the high-quality agents. This group of people does not think social media and technology is a big deal when it comes to real estate — they’re holding onto the idea that the real estate industry and how it works will always stay the same.

So the “Kristians” believe that these big brokerage firms will eventually see the light and wake up to the idea that the industry is changing and they must change with it will be the future of real estate. Once these big firms invest in the future, they’ll have a huge advantage over competitors, including “The Swarm,” both in profit and brand — and that will lead to them changing the real estate industry.

Now comes a question posed by Kris Berg herself: Up until recently, real estate professionals needed credibility and resources, and they got that by having a company brand. Working at a large firm came with desks, assistants, fax machines, phone lines, etc. But now, thanks to technology, real estate professionals can work from pretty much anywhere and can brand themselves. As people realize all of these overhead costs that come along with working in a big office aren’t needs, there will be a resistance to paying for things that aren’t necessary to stay in business. If lead generation, as Berg sees it, turns into a situation where competitors are trying to get the most leads for the largest number of agents, and more agents equals more money, where did the customer go in this equation?

It’s a great question — one that doesn’t seem to a have a simple answer and brings about some interesting debate. But one point Berg mentioned particularly caught our eye: the idea of a low-overhead brokerage model.

Realzi fits in flawlessly with the idea of a low-overhead brokerage model. With Realzi, you get lead generation at your own website, where you’re able to create a brand for yourself. You’re cutting out the unneccesary costs typically found at a big firm — secretaries, assistants, phone lines, fax machines, the list goes on — and getting right down to what will ultimately make you a successful real estate professional: a place where you create a brand, get leads and connect with customers.

The real estate industry is evolving, and you need to evolve with it. A good website with Realzi means you can attract clients who haven’t heard of you — you won’t need to rely on word-of-mouth. You’ll beat the pants off of your competition by getting your listings at the top of Google search results when someone searches for an MLS number or address, or even the phrase “buy an Austin home.” Perhaps most importantly: 87% of home buyers search for a home using the internet. Realzi helps you get found by these people. Feel free to talk to our real estate website experts for more information.