When Realty Executives International’s regional developers and senior management gather together, it isn’t without purpose and direction. Recently, the company’s leadership group spent several days together planning for 2014. Coming off one of the company’s best years in recent history, the entire organization is alive with energy and ready to accomplish even more in 2014.
Growing with Purpose
With nearly 100 franchise sales in 2013, including adding the master franchise for the country of Malaysia, Realty Executives offices are springing up in a variety of markets worldwide. What makes these new franchises unique in their markets is that they are productive and goal-oriented with the intent to grow.
“Over the last several years, we have seen an increase in the productivity of our new franchise owners. The people who are joining the Realty Executives brand are committed to growth, excellence and providing an environment for their agents to thrive in real estate,” says Realty Executives International Owner and President Rich Rector.
The company credits simplified franchise fee plans, new marketing initiatives and some of the best marketing technology and tools in the industry for recent growth. According to MLS data, Realty Executives agents were the second most-productive agents on average in the United States in 2013. Despite that, Rector and his team have their eye on a very specific goal that would put Realty Executives’ agents in the lead for per-agent productivity.
“We find time and again that brokers and agents who join our Realty Executives franchises see drastic increases in their productivity within the first year,” says Tony Greazel, chief financial officer of the Realty Executives Wisconsin Region (and winner of the 2013 Realty Executives International Regional Developer of the Year award).
Finding a Niche with Veterans
In addition to a focus on franchise sales and marketing, over the course of the last year, Realty Executives International also launched other programs, including its newest—the Realty Executives Veterans Program, designed to meet the career goals of United States military veterans. As part of this program, which has both broker/owner and agent tracks, honorably discharged United States military veterans are able to purchase a franchise and Realty Executives International and the Regional Developer will reinvest 50 percent of the initial franchise fee back into the new franchisee. Likewise, honorably discharged military veterans are able to join existing brokerages in the company, with incentives ranging from discounted monthly fees to new-agent training programs to help veterans just entering the real estate business.
Since the program launch in late November 2013, Realty Executives International and its franchisees have seen an influx of leads. But interested franchise and agent prospects aren’t the only ones taking notice of the Realty Executives Veterans Program. Organizations like Entrepreneur Magazine and the Franchise Business Review also ranked Realty Executives International on each of their respective “Top Franchises for Veterans” lists in 2013.
“As a veteran of the United States Navy, the launch of this program was extremely important to me personally. I wanted to find a way to tap into the expertise and discipline of our U.S. military veterans while also doing something to help out these fine people who have served our country,” explains Realty Executives International Senior Vice President of Franchise Development Bryan Brooks.
Information about the Realty Executives Veterans Program and bios of existing Realty Executives franchisees who are veterans can be found online at www.realtyexecutives.com/vets.
Changing of the Guard
When you look at the list of top award winners in the Realty Executives organization, one thing is sure to jump out to those familiar with the company—a whole lot of award winners (both agents and franchisees) in top categories are new to the list. Whether you walk into an office in London, Ontario, Canada or Madison, Wis., or Astoria, N.Y., you’ll receive a breath of fresh air and a clear vision of what Realty Executives is all about Realty Executives has long been recognized in the industry as a company that not only attracted top-producing agents and brokers, but only allowed experienced real estate professionals to join the fold for its first several years.
