I meet sellers at their homes. I meet buyers at the properties. I don't take anyone to the office to sign paperwork BUT I like knowing I have an office because clients expect you to.

I have done both and prefer a traditional brick and mortar setup for many reasons. While I frequently meet a client in a public place, it is usually after having the initial meeting in the office. Most of my clients are either over a certain age or from out of town/state and they like the sense of permanence that an office environment provides. I currently work from home and it has it pluses and minuses. I think it all comes down to what works for you and what your clients are comfortable with.

There was a time when you had to have a "real" office, as it was considered unprofessional not to have one.

Today it is no longer required...

Look at all the people that work from home for a company or the large amount of  RE franchise offices that look like they are closed because no one is there.

Times have changed.  I meet most of my clients at their hotel or a coffee shop...to me it is not embarassing, it is just conducting business.

Eve

There are no shortages of business models.  Finding the right fit for YOU is important. 

I've worked in broker-provided office space and in my own home. Much prefer my own home. I can meet clients at coffee shops - there are plenty in the area. In broker provided space there are way too many distractions - at least in my opinion!

Do what works best for you.  I've done both and either was fine for me.

I live in rural America.  My town doesn't have a coffee shop.  We mostly work from offices although a few work from home and meet people at the first house they showing.  I don't feel that's safe so my agents don't do that.

If you broker doesn't offer you a desk they usually have a free conference room at least.

Actually it's a good idea to pick a place that is quiet enough for you to meet clients & have them feel comfortable.

I do not have a desk per se, but I have 4 rooms available for clients at my office. I don't know how many years it is now but it doesn't bother me at all. If you get distracted at home, you'll have to figure something out.

There is no right or wrong answer here.  You need to do what works best for you.  While I rarely see clients in the office anymore... I like the idea of having one... and being able to share time, and swap stories with colleagues.

But that may not be the best choice for you.

To each his own - different strokes for different folks. 

What is your preference?

Whenever possible I like to meet at one of our offices, more professional and nice to be able to project my monitor up on the big screen for the client to see.

Me in 1999-2015: A REALTOR working in traditional Brokerage supplied office space VS

Me in 2020 and loving it!!!

A REALTOR affiliated w/Broker not providing office space and meeting customers at coffee shops. No one wants to or expects to meet in "my office" in 2020-San Diego, CA. 

I haven't had bricks and mortar since 2007.

Working for a large brokerage and being vulnerable to both consumers I would not choose to deal with, and other agents in the mix, LOL . . . and after having my own bricks and mortar with the only walk ins solicitors and tire kickers . . . our clients always dealt with us electronically and remotely. . .  

I do not miss those days and can much more effectively use my time without distractions I didn't anticipate or welcome. Boutique office, appointment only, I work in cyberspace/anywhere/your place if need be.

I prefer an office over a public space.  You are talking about potentially personal and confidential information that you don't need other people to hear.  I'm fortunate to have an office but switching to a firm that doesn't offer that would be a hardship for me.

Agents are mobile and can make appointments work at a variety of locations. Just keep safety procedures in mind.

That would NOT work for me. I'm a traditionalist.

You find what works and then you refine what works...its subjective

It depends,

Whatever works for you is the best model. A

It depends on the real estate agent and the brokerage.

Virtual is better for Experienced Agents than newbie

Alan May has this one covered. Different strokes for different folks!

Been virtual for 13 years and never met anyone in a public place. We meet sellers at their homes, buyers at their homes or pick them up at their hotel if they are from out of town. We were skeptical at first but iurns out they all appreciate not having to drive out of their way to get to an office for no reason other than to stroke an agents ego. Clients come first.

Another benefit is not having to pay $42k a year for office space.

What's an office and why is it deemed of any importance?  

I've never had a client meet me in any office.  I meet sellers at the property they are selling and buyers at a property they want to see. If more than one property buyers usually load into my car for the tour of remaining properties and I return them to their car when the tour is completed.  I've even picked up buyers at their residence and started the tour from their home. 

I've done both. I always had a home office and never spent much time in the "real" office when I was affiliated. I have worked while traveling across the U.S. and other countries. It can be done from anywhere these days. It's a matter of setting up your business to work with your model.

I've been with my Brokerage for more than 6 years and I have never once stepped foot in it (it is 3.5 hours away from me!)  I attend my Sellers homes and when I rarely meet with Buyers, it is at the properties we're viewing.  Not once has this been questioned.  We have 1 coffee shop in my town and the one time I met clients there, the entire shop attempted to listen to the "stranger" in town, trying to place them and figure out why they were there, lol.  No thank you! 

Entire comment removed due to poster's protest of all things Anonymous.
A.R.M.S.

I prefer a professional office setting. 

However, I have always maintained a home office as well.

To early to to tell because it has only been a week...

How often do you bring buyers and sellers to the office anyhow? Most people prefer to meet at their home and many of them even sign closing docs at home now.

I recently joined EXP Realty and my team has an office, plus EXP provides free access to Regus offices around the country. That being said, I have not brought anyone to the office yet as I meet my sellers at their home typically. If it is a buyer who I have not met personally, I would meet them at my office, but if they wanted to do something casual like a coffee shop, I would not mind.