If you’re taking the plunge and setting up as an independent real estate agent, you’ll know too well that there are significant costs involved. Not just financial costs, but also endless amounts of energy required to get established and build on your ideas and brand.

One question that often comes up is whether or not you should open a bricks-and-mortar ‘shopfront’ – and invest all the time, energy and money (rent, phone line, electricity, equipment, renovation) that entails?