I haven't had bricks and mortar for 14 years . . . when I did I got tire kickers, solicitors and agents not worth 2 shits plopping their fat butts down unsolicited bragging about how I should hand them moon and stars to sign up. (ALL no longer licensed LOL)

I am DELIGHTED that my competitors have that instead of me! LOL

And I know they do as they bring those unserious buyers to my listings!

I don't really use the office much anymore.  I have yet to have a client that needs to meet me in an office this year.  Working from home is working for me.

I would say zero.  Even back in the 90s my parents worked from their home and it's only gotten more remote since then.  I can see the need for one if you have a traditional Brokerage and need to manage agents, have in person meetings and trainings and supervision.  If you're experienced or on your own, I don't see the need for one.  There are several 100% virtual companies out there now.  I meet people at houses, I meet them at coffee shops.  Contracts are electronic and physical offers are written either remotely, at the house (if vacant) or at a coffee shop.

Not important at all anymore.  Used to be, but it's been years since we gave up the big office overlooking a park and pond.  Albeit it was great for big network events, we can easily accomodate those at our home and people love coming to our home.

Since I mostly work from home these days, an office is not really a necessity.

As you may be aware, there is a major national real estate company whose business model is based on not having a specific office location.

Where I hang my license and where I work are not connected. I've been into the "office" less than five times in the almost 6 years I've been practicing real estate. Recently, the "office" was moved to a Regus shared space to minimize costs while also providing a physical location, if needed.  Before COVID, if I needed to meet someone in town, I'd use one of the local coffee shops, which offer WiFi and space to meet. 

Not. At. All. 

I have always worked from my home office. 

When I started my brokerage 10 years ago, we could have gone the brick and mortar route, but elected instead to be more of a hybrid.  Since Covid, the desks we have in the office stay relatively empty, but the production is far higher. With the internet, the need for a physical location to work has become relatively unimportant. Some agents want an office for the prestiege, but really rarely use it.  It becomes one of those things a brokerage needs to weigh - the price of added rent for office space agents don't use versus having those agents as part of the company. Is the added cost justified when you consider the production level of the agent and income received from the agent. 

In our area, a professional image is still important. However, office space has been reduced and most have spent much less time in the office.

Not.

No.

I work out of my home office. In my area, a fancy office is not needed at all. But I'm sure in others, it is.

I hear Sotheby's Canada has a pretty snazzy office in downtown Toronto but I've never seen it nor stepped foot in it.  I've always worked from home 3.5 hours away and wouldn't dream of changing it. 

Anything under a million why do you need an office? The proerties become the stage & focus 90% of the time. For multi-millions, it is optional but preferred for signings, showing (off) & lunch meet place. In the end, Customer Service exceeds all gimmicks, fancies, tricks & games. 

I liked it way back when. Many things were important back then that are not now. Gave up my office years ago & sometimes I miss the privacy that I had. You get used to being more flexible being at home.

I been working from home in the last 5 years and it works for me.

One thing I miss about KW, I had access to several fancy offices that are far fancier than my office.

I did meet with many RE and Forestry clients in the KW offices and I think that it did add to the professionalism of our transactions.

However with Covid we have been fine with meeting on zoom, yet I am wondering whether to go back to KW after we get back to normal, or fix up my office to make it more client meeting centric.

I actually have not had an office with a common area for 3 years, and an actual office for me since 2007.  

I have a small & cute (not fancy) office on the highway in my small town. I love separating my home & office life. I like being able to meet with my non tech clients at my office. Yes I do get the unwanted walkin occassionally but it's worth it to me.

Brokers are required to have a physical location here in Florida but that can be in their home if they meet the requirements.

There are some brokers who have their office in their home but the majority have a separate physical location. The big box franchises seem to have fancy offices while the independent brokers not so much.

When I was with CB, clients liked the fancy office and professional atmosphere that it conveyed but most agents were only in the office to meet clients or for office meetings. 

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question, it all comes down to personal preference and depends on your location, the type of image you want to project, the type of clients you work with and, of course, your budget,

No need unless required by your state licensing law. Have not had one in years.

It depends on the stage you are in with your career.  I would have a private office at a top franchise company if this were my first ten years in the business.