RE/MAX Myth Buster

A Colorado top producer discovers that rumors don’t match the reality of RE/MAX

By Keith Miller

Nicki Thompson sums up her decision to join RE/MAX with one word: harmony. “I’ve found harmony in my life at RE/MAX,” says the top-producing agent with RE/MAX Alliance in Arvada, Colo., near Denver.

“I’m in a very good place. I’m content, but never complacent.”

A former Coldwell Banker agent, Thompson says her career has blossomed since joining RE/MAX in 2008. Last year, she reached Platinum Club status after two years in the 100 Percent Club.

At the same time, she has more time to spend with her family and get involved in the community. Thompson is an active member of her local chamber of commerce and has chaired the Arvada Young Professionals group. She’s even found more time for her favorite activities: swimming, competing in triathlons and having fun with her three children.

It wasn’t always this way. At Coldwell Banker for six years, Thompson began feeling like she had reached her peak. She worked long hours, and although she was a top producer in her office, she felt constrained.

“I was a big fish in a little pond,” Thompson says. “I reached a place in my career where I wanted to be challenged.”

Thompson often sat across from RE/MAX agents at the closing table. They appeared happy and very productive. She began considering RE/MAX herself. Then the voices of doubt would come, as she recalled the cautionary tales she heard around the office: “RE/MAX doesn’t offer any support,” “You’re on your own at RE/MAX,” and “So long to education.”

So what ultimately tipped the scales? How did Thompson know RE/MAX was the right choice?

She researched and ultimately debunked the RE/MAX myths.

There’s no education.

After she made the switch, Thompson discovered a world of education. She regularly takes advantage of RE/MAX University programming and earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation right after joining the network.

“The reality turned out to be much different than what I had thought,” she says. “The amount of available education was one of the biggest surprises for me.”

You’ll be on your own.

“My concern that I was leaving a family atmosphere and would be by myself ended up being completely unwarranted,” she says. “Once I joined RE/MAX, I was amazed at the support and culture of teamwork and mentorship.”

Now, as a more experienced agent, Thompson thoroughly enjoys sharing her own wisdom with others.

“It’s not just a receiving relationship; you have to give as well,” she says. “I know numbers and analytics, and enjoy sharing that expertise. It creates a very collaborative and empowering work environment for everyone.”

The fees are prohibitive.

This myth was crushed with a spreadsheet. As a numbers and statistics enthusiast, Thompson tallied her potential income with RE/MAX and saw the stark difference for herself.

“This one was easy,” she says. “The numbers made sense from the get-go. It was overcoming the other concerns that initially made me more hesitant to change.”

There will be no time for yourself.

When Thompson worked with RE/MAX agents at closings, she got the sense this was far from true. Her RE/MAX Broker/Manager, Phil Shell, made a statement that ultimately tipped the scales for her to join.

He told her, “Don’t let your business run you; you run your business.”

With RE/MAX, Thompson found the work-life balance she was looking for.

“When I walk in the house, my phone is off and my attention is on my family,” she says. “I’m able to leave my business at the office.”

MORE GOOD MOVES

These experienced Associates can definitely relate to Nicki Thompson’s journey. Here’s why they recently joined RE/MAX.

I wanted to be part of a highly recognizable, global brand with a local presence. The office I joined is centrally located in an up-and-coming resort town, and the brand presence of RE/MAX provides a huge advantage. My Broker/Owners and the office staff provide everything I need to be more effective.

– MARY BETH BUCKLES, RE/MAX SIGNATURE SERVICES, DANA POINT, CALIF. (JOINED 2013)

The RE/MAX brand is powerful. There’s a sense of pride and name recognition that was absent when I worked for smaller companies. After 20 years in real estate, I was very confident in my knowledge, but I’ve been blown away by all that I’ve learned through RE/MAX courses and education – and particularly how much is offered through RE/MAX University.

– DARLIN GUTTERIDGE, RE/MAX MOSAIC PROPERTIES, GILBERT, ARIZ. (JOINED 2012)

I’ve been very impressed with the strategic, administrative and transactional support. I’ve also been surprised by the corporate support. In one instance, I called asking for materials for The RE/MAX Collection. They delivered a package the next day, and I was able to use everything in a presentation. I ended up getting the listing. I should have joined RE/MAX sooner!

– NATALIE VIZIR, RE/MAX SIGNATURE SERVICES, DANA POINT, CALIF. (JOINED 2013)

My Broker/Owner’s marketing expertise and real estate knowledge are incredible assets. I love that I can truly be an independent contractor in charge of my own destiny and success. I can achieve this with the support and opportunities for growth through REMAX University and Mainstreet. The RE/MAX Design Center gives me countless ways to make my listings stand out and wow clients. There’s no other real estate company that offers anything close.

– NANCY BENARD, RE/MAX ULTIMATE PROFESSIONALS, SHOREWOOD, ILL. (JOINED 2012)

We wanted to take full advantage of the recovering market and evaluated several companies. By joining RE/MAX, we affiliated with the strongest horse in the race. RE/MAX has proven to be the most powerful and easily recognizable brand in real estate – and the most dominant in our local market. When we told our clients about our move to RE/MAX, they were very pleased, and liked knowing how much more exposure their listings would receive.

– GERRY FRASER AND GEORGE PATRIDGE, RE/MAX KELOWNA, KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA (JOINED 2013)