Corcoran agent Krae Van Sickle. (Van Sickle)

Southampton - The "team" approach to doing business that has gained popularity with real estate agents is due, in part, to the demands on their time resulting from market conditions and public expectations. Technology has contributed to these demands. The public is better prepared for the selling and buying process as a result of the internet. More information is available on-line. Brokers provide virtual tours among other opportunities for learning about properties. Sellers are concerned about correct pricing and marketing of their homes, and buyers are more cautious before making offers.

In any market, but more so in this one, sellers do not want to lose a chance for a sale and buyers do not want to lose an opportunity for a good buy because an agent is not available to show the property; but real estate agents also have lives to lead and can't be in two places at the same time.

Corcoran agents Lylla Carter and Krae Van Sickle have found that working as a team has enabled them to provide greater benefits to clients and customers. Unlike some real estate agent "partnership" arrangements, they are not based in the same office.

Lylla: "I'm located in Southampton and Krae is in Amagansett. Krae and I know the market and land-use issues in our respective areas, and we can match sellers and buyers across geographical lines. Another benefit is that we have each developed our own client and customer networks which also works to the advantage of sellers and buyers."

Corcoran agent Lylla Carter. (Carter)

Krae: "Lylla and I each have skills that compliment each other, so clients and customers get the benefits of both. I was into development and construction; Lylla has a great eye for inventory. She also has a social network in the arts while mine is in sports."

Unlike some teams where the earnings are divided equally, Lylla and Krae base their shares on time spent and activities performed. They also have two other members of their team, Vanessa Mothes and Francesca Channing-Secco, relatively new agents to the business who assist them and are compensated in the same manner.

Lylla: "It gives Vanessa and Francesca an opportunity to 'earn and learn' while broadening the services we provide to our clients and customers."

Krae: "I have done quite a bit of mentoring of new agents, and we think that the skills and contacts that Vanessa and Francesca bring to the team will provide a very positive benefit to our clients and customers."

The real estate industry is evolving from a part-time job of showing properties to prospective buyers to a full-time profession. The regulatory licensing agencies, government agencies involved in real estate, the courts and the public have higher requirements and expectations of real estate professionals than ever before.

The realities of today's market would seem to make a strong case for the team approach to conducting the business of real estate.

Of course, any team can only be as good as its members.

Editor's Note: John will be teaching a 22.5 hours Real Estate Continuing Education class at Long Island University in Riverhead on March 21, March 23, and March 25. For information and registration contact Rosemary Malone at 631-287-8334 or by email at rosemary.malone@liu.edu.