Over the past two years, Realty ONE Group has flourished. Since 2013, the company has grown from three states to eight, with strategic plans to be in all 50 states by the end of 2015. So how does a company find such robust rhythm at a time when many others are floundering? By staying positive, giving back, and creating the best environment in the industry for agents to thrive.
“2014 has been a pivotal year for us,” says Realty ONE Group Founder and CEO Kuba Jewgieniew, who notes that within the past year, the company has launched a charitable foundation, an online and print magazine, new websites, more tech tools for agents, live ONE-on-ONE coaching, and more, all adding to the “wow” experience. More than just a housing platform, the company considers itself a lifestyle brand.
“We touch more than just a home transaction,” says Realty One Group’s COO Matt Emerson. “It’s not just buying a house; it’s personal, it’s emotional, and that’s where we really set ourselves apart from the competition.”
“Our mission is to flip the industry on its head, and we lead it with culture,” says Jewgieniew.
Rather than waiting for the industry to change, the company has succeeded by looking for ways to do things differently, starting from the ground up.
“We believe the agent is the brand, so we focus on providing a more productive environment for them,” explains Emerson.
“We are very positive people,” says Jewgieniew. “We celebrate each other. A sense of belonging is important; people want to be a part of something where they matter.”
“We’re all stronger as one unit,” echoes Emerson.
The company not only celebrates one another, but the community as well. This past year, they hooked up with GiveBack Homes, an organization backed by Habitat for Humanity, that not only fundraises to provide housing for those in need, but allows agents to help build donated homes.
“We’re not only a lifestyle brand, but a hyper-local business,” says Jewgieniew. “We’re interested in not only being successful, but in giving back to our local communities where we live, work and serve.”
Clearly, this compassionate business model is working. Over the past 18 months, Realty ONE Group has attracted 30 franchisees, an impressive feat.
“Our growth really comes from our agents,” says Vice President of Business Coaching Jan O’Brien. “We attract business-minded agents who want to learn how to continually best service their clients,” continues O’Brien, who works to show agents that they’re not only an agent, but also an entrepreneur and a small business owner. “We believe in coaching our real estate professionals through a creative approach.
In order to streamline their message and continue their dynamic, collaborative culture, Realty ONE Group holds their semi-annual Realty ONE Group Summit, a forum that brings the entire corporate and affiliate team together to share ideas and visions.
“The Summit helps fortify our unique culture,” says Emerson. “As our franchise grows, we are trying the best we can to make sure our culture is pushed out to all offices.”
In addition to the implementation of ONE Summit, the company’s marketing team has been in hyperdrive, launching new technology tools to help agents grow their business, all of which are offered at no cost. Some of these tools include Videolicious, an easy-to-use video tool; Curb Call, a revolutionary home-search app with real-time home and agent connection; and Smarter Agent, a home-search app that combines three powerful GPS real estate searches in one easy-to-use platform.
“We’re really having a lot of fun right now,” says O’Brien, in regard to yet another of the company’s innovative initiatives: ONE Talks. Similar to the well-known inspirational technology forum TED Talks, ONE Talks offers a new way of presenting innovative, fast-paced, high-level motivational speakers in 15-minute sessions.
“We’re aiming to reach more people in a fast-paced world,” O’Brien notes.
The company also offers several educational programs for agents who want to stay on top of their game. “You have to work on your business while working in the business,” says O’Brien. The company’s creative coaching platform, ONE University, launching in early 2015, includes programs like Rev Up for new agents and Level Up for seasoned agents who want to implement new business systems.
With several outstanding platforms and major growth spurts behind them, will Realty ONE Group be slowing down anytime soon? I wouldn’t count on it. The company plans to go from 5,500 agents to 25,000 within the next three years.
“We’re action people,” says Jewgieniew. “We’re clear on the vision, excited about national growth, and 2015 will be pivotal.”
For more information, please visit www.RealtyONEGroup.com.
