MANILA, Philippines - While technology has allowed people to work virtually anywhere and anytime, having an office base is still a necessity one should not take for granted, especially for real estate brokers.
Real estate brokers engage their clients mostly in outdoor locations, so most of them choose not to have offices at all.
But for Salvador Mirandilla, president of Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines Quezon City (REBAB-QC), service in the real estate brokerage business is a commodity wherein value is directly proportional to image.
Thus, having one’s own office is an advantage. But setting up shop could be costly, especially to brokers who are just starting out.
Seeing the need for office spaces, and the growing trend of shared office business, Mirandilla founded RealtySurf Corp., a real estate company which offers professional office space for lease exclusively to real estate brokers.
RealtySurf started officially in October 2014 with an initial investment of P2 million, he said.
“There are other companies already offering the same service and it doesn’t bother us. We look at it as a healthy competition. Besides, I personally look at it as an easy step for merger or partnership to get a better deal with different developers,” the veteran broker told The STAR.
He said shared offices are a good option because they offer the best of both worlds – having your own office at a very minimal cost.
“We just want to help fellow real estate brokers succeed in this cut-throat industry of real estate selling. Real estate brokerage is an image-dependent profession, and having your own office secures the perception that you’re a broker who will provide professional and diligent service to your clients giving you an edge above the competition,” Mirandilla said.
The company’s initial office space is located in West Avenue at the heart of Quezon City.
“We chose the location because of its accessibility and ideal location for both brokers and salespersons. We considered the rental price also,” Mirandilla said.
With a 92-square meter floor area, it houses a seminar room, and small office space for rental purposes for 10 brokers and office for administration.
RealtySurf offers a reasonably-priced office space in the market, at an average rental of P6,000 per month. This includes all the utilities like electricity, water, Internet and phone connection and use of its meeting room.
For more information on RealtySurf, contact 0917-819-7417 and ask for Malu Mirandilla. You may also make an appointment and visit RealtySurf’s office at Unit 3A, West Wing Building, 107 West Ave., Quezon City.