The integrated system frees the broker up to do what they do best—invest in agent success and grow the brokerage business.
Centralized Services to Reinvent the Brokerage Business
The brand recently launched what it is referring to as its “Centralized Services.” The Centralized Services offering allows broker/owners to select à la carte support and services they want HomeSmart International to provide for them, lowering individual broker overhead and increasing profit margins all while providing higher-touch support to agents and consumers.
“Other companies franchise based on the concept of teaching a broker how to do something and then sending them on their way to do it on their own,” says Bowers. “Our integrated technology and centralized services give brokers the opportunity to capitalize on a proven system and get their lives back. Our franchising approach is different in that we will not only educate the broker about how to do something, but we’ll take it a step further and actually do it for them.”
“Rather than sending every broker/owner out into the abyss to duplicate what we already know to work, we are providing centralization so we can collectively dominate in each of our existing and future markets,” says Widdows. “Regardless of where a brokerage is at and who owns it, we can guarantee a high level of quality and service in each transaction because of our integrated technology software and centralization.”
Centralized Services Unpacked
Agent Services: Serves as front-line support for brokers and their agents and handles anything from technology troubleshooting and submitting files/paperwork to board questions, license renewals and day-to-day customer care. Agent services will essentially handle any agent interaction outside of contract questions.
Transaction Services: Is broken into two segments: paperwork and closing. The paperwork team will review files to prepare them for broker review and communicate with agents on missing documents and status of files. The closing aspect will process orders to pay commissions and distributions of funds to agents on behalf of the brokerage once the file has been closed.
Career Services: The HomeSmart International career team can handle every aspect of a broker’s recruiting activities, including marketing, prospecting, setting appointments and on-boarding new agents.
Smart Reception: Offers virtual reception capabilities for the brokerage office. A virtual receptionist (a live person located at the HomeSmart International headquarters) greets clients and assists agents through live interaction over the Internet. This serves as a back-up receptionist for the brokerage.
A Franchising Concept and Brokerage Model Unlike Any Other All of this translates into a value proposition HomeSmart is confident franchisees can’t find anywhere else—driving recruiting forward and creating an environment where brokers are able to break through growth barriers they previously experienced in their businesses.
What Franchisees Say about HomeSmart
“After meeting Matt and hearing his vision about the changing industry and how HomeSmart is ahead of the curve, it was a no-brainer for me to join the HomeSmart brand. To me, the operational efficiency and integrated technology platform is a driving force behind the successful growth of my company.” – Randy Rector, broker/owner of HomeSmart Evergreen Realty (Brea, Calif./Los Angeles Area)
“Over the course of my 30 years in the real estate brokerage business, I have worked with multiple brands. Most franchisors sell you a brand and then take a ‘hands-off’ approach, but at HomeSmart, I know the company is vested in my success by helping me manage the day-to-day operations of my business and working to consistently make the real estate transaction and brokerage business simple. I feel like I have a true partner in my business and not just a franchisor.” – Bill Flemming, broker/owner of HomeSmart Connect (Arlington Heights, Ill./Chicago Area)
“Bringing innovation, support and a responsive real estate network to my agents is always my professional goal, and aligning my brokerage with HomeSmart International created synergy and an environment for me to do just that. The HomeSmart brand and leadership are perpetually moving forward for future growth and helping brokers and agents achieve success. HomeSmart makes sense in every way, and I want to continue to grow the brand in Texas in a BIG way.” – Dendea Balli, broker/owner of McAllen HomeSmart RGV (McAllen, Texas/Austin Area)
Poised for Exponential Growth
What HomeSmart is doing by combining centralized services and an integrated system for franchisees and agents in a low-cost model is unlike what any other franchisor in the industry is offering today. And, it’s intentional.
“As a company, we’ve never really worried about what the competition is doing because we’d rather focus on what it is the broker of today and agent of tomorrow need to support their businesses and grow,” says Ashley Bowers, HomeSmart International chief operating officer.
HomeSmart International has certainly poised itself for significant growth in the coming years by creating a structure that can expand with the brand, implementing new and innovative marketing strategies and leveraging the company’s strength and expertise in technology and systems.
For more information on HomeSmart International, visit www.HomeSmartInternational.com or www.Facebook.com/HomeSmartFranchise.
