RE/MAX Prepares for New Housing Market

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At its annual Conference of Broker/Owners and Office Managers, RE/MAX unveiled initiatives in three key areas to make them leaders in the nation's recovering housing market.  Newly developed resources for recruiting new agents, advertising and education were presented to nearly 1,000 Broker/Owners, who are excited about the significant turn-around in home sales in their local markets.

At this morning's Opening General Session, RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly announced that the global real estate franchisor is providing its affiliates and offices with powerful new resources to ensure they continue as leaders of the real estate industry.

"The economy is getting better and the housing market is recovering and we are ready to lead the way," said Kelly. "Our goal is to put some serious distance between you and your competition."

The audience watched a videotaped message from RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger, who's recovering in Denver from a serious illness.  Liniger told the crowd that their main focus should be to prepare themselves and their clients for the improving market.

While other national real estate franchises are still experiencing agent losses, RE/MAX has seen an increase of nearly 1,500 agents year-to-date.  In the first half of the year, three new countries added to the growth of the RE/MAX network's international presence.

Additionally, RE/MAX has experienced significant success in the sales of new franchises.  In the first half of 2012, nearly 300 sales have been recorded.  In the United States, Florida led all regions with franchise sales 30% higher than the first half of 2011.  Internationally, South Africa saw an increase in sales of 75%, Canada was up by 21% and Europe was 13% higher.

RE/MAX agents continue to outperform the competition. RE/MAX offices took 44 of the top 50 spots in the 2012 REAL Trends 500 survey when ranked by agent productivity.  RE/MAX agents also had an average of 15.6 transaction sides in the RIS Media Power Broker survey.   

During her presentation, Kelly announced the winner of the RE/MAX "What Moves You?" social media contest.  More than 1,200 people submitted their stories, and more than 70,000 visitors voted for the story that moved them most.

The winner, "Sweet Sophie May," was submitted by Monica May of St. Louis, about her 21-month-old granddaughter, Sophie, who's battling cancer. May received the $10,000 grand prize, which will go to Sophie's parents, to help them through treatments at Children's Medical Center of Dallas. 

The RE/MAX Broker/Owner Conference will continue through Wednesday. Next February, RE/MAX Affiliates from around the world will gather at the MGM Grand Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, NV, to celebrate the organization's 40th anniversary.

About the RE/MAX Network:
RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, real estate industry visionaries who still lead the Denver-based global franchisor today. RE/MAX is recognized as one of the leading real estate franchise companies with the most productive sales force in the industry and a global reach of more than 85 countries.

With a passion for the communities in which its agents live and work, RE/MAX is proud to have raised more than $120 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and other charities. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX. Please visit www.remax.com or www.joinremax.com.    

SOURCE RE/MAX