What is happening?
On July 7, 2022, RE/MAX, LLC announced the latest step in the evolution of RE/MAX technology strategy – unveiling a new enterprise relationship with Inside Real Estate, the developers of kvCORE. Through a phased rollout beginning later in 2022 and continuing into next year, RE/MAX affiliates in company-owned regions across the U.S. and Canada will get no-cost access to the state-of-the-art kvCORE platform along with several add-ons – including a module specifically for teams – and eventual RE/MAX tech integrations.
Why is RE/MAX making this move?
RE/MAX, LLC is doing this in large part to help RE/MAX agents and teams stay ahead in the fast-moving world of technology. By combining the best of current RE/MAX technology with the platform of a proven industry leader in a branded, integrated tech suite, RE/MAX, LLC is helping position affiliates for the future. In the increasingly competitive industry, agents who are connected with constantly updated tools, cultivated leads and transaction-ready buyers and sellers will have a clear edge. The alignment of kvCORE and the best existing RE/MAX tools will give affiliates a premier technology solution along with the No. 1 brand and most productive global network – an unbeatable combination.
What functionality will be included?
The package includes:
• kvCORE Platform: the industry’s top-rated technology platform, including IDX websites, built-in Lead Engine Smart CRM, Marketing Autopilot, transaction integration, business analytics, marketplace add-ons and more
• CORE Listing Machine & Design Center: fully automated listing marketing suite, including single property websites, property tours, automated social posting, along with a complete print & digital design center
• CORE Present: an award-winning CMA & presentation builder with interactive pricing analysis, persona driven designs and client engagement tracking.
• CORE Team Add-On: independent team accounts with team lead generation and lead routing, pond accounts, team accountability rules and more
• Marketplace: a built-in and fully integrated Marketplace for premium add-on solutions and integrations like PropertyBoost, Done For You lead generation, and more
Who is Inside Real Estate?
Inside Real Estate, based in Salt Lake City and founded in 2008, has grown into one of the industry’s top technology providers. Spurred by a history of acquisitions and integrations, the company has more than 250,000 real estate agents, teams and brokerages using its products. It has a widespread, sterling reputation for quality, innovation and high product adoption rates.
Why kvCORE?
The kvCORE solution was chosen because RE/MAX affiliates deserve the industry’s best, most complete technology solution. With a RE/MAX-branded version of the kvCORE platform, agents will have a seamless new way to automate virtually every aspect of their business – from contact management to digital marketing to data analysis and more. They’ll have high-quality, customizable IDX websites that attract traffic and drive transaction-ready leads. And they’ll have eventual integrations with key RE/MAX technology offerings built into the system. Bottom line: RE/MAX affiliates are getting a significant technology upgrade that will help them increase their productivity and compete in the years ahead.
Were other platforms considered?
Yes, more than a dozen. Two key criteria were (1) finding the best fit for a network of high-producing agents and teams, and (2) finding the most comprehensive platform with the ability to integrate proprietary RE/MAX technology into it. Affiliates will be getting a proven system with the size, scale, and capacity to move fast and help them stay ahead of changes in the marketplace.
What will the kvCORE platform cost affiliates?
The kvCORE platform is being offered to RE/MAX affiliates at no additional cost. Agents and teams will get the platform and multiple add-ons – including CORE Present, CORE Listing Machine & Design Center, and the CORE Teams module – as a benefit of affiliation. If affiliates are interested in additional kvCORE offerings beyond the tools provided, they’ll be able to purchase them directly.
Is kvCORE new to the RE/MAX network?
No. This is a proven platform for many RE/MAX affiliates already using kvCORE products in the U.S. and Canada. What is new: (1) The coming solution will eventually include integrations of proprietary RE/MAX technology and (2) RE/MAX affiliates currently paying for the platform will be getting an upgraded version at no cost.
When will this start rolling out? What’s the timeline?
Work has already begun, and the rollout is set to begin in certain regions this fall. It will continue into 2023 in phases, eventually covering all company-owned regions in the U.S. and Canada.
What happens with current tech products?
This evolutionary step will advance the best elements of RE/MAX technology – including many developed via acquisitions in the past several years. Current offerings such as the First app, RE/MAX Hustle, aspects of Megaphone, Photofy (a third-party product with RE/MAX flourishes) and others will continue in their current form and eventually be integrated into or aligned with the kvCORE platform. MAX/Center remains the hub of RE/MAX resources and the best source of information as the process continues.
What happens with the booj-developed CRM and websites?
Because the kvCORE platform includes an AI-powered smart CRM and customizable agent/team/office IDX websites, the booj products developed in-house the past few years are expected to sunset in mid-2023. Affiliates using those products should continue to do so until the rollout is complete in their region – and they should visit MAX/Center for emerging details as the kvCORE rollout progresses.
Why kvCORE over booj-developed tools?
Speed. Because Inside Real Estate is focused 100% on real estate technology, it is able to deliver solutions incredibly fast. The kvCORE platform is already fully developed – and constantly updated, as are its add-ons. Enhancements, upgrades and expansions are part of the kvCORE value proposition – and the team at Inside Real Estate has the scale and capacity to move as quickly as anyone in the business. For RE/MAX affiliates, that means having technology that is always current and capable of addressing any emerging challenges or opportunities.
Will RE/MAX and G73 continue to power remax.com and the mobile property search app?
Yes. The website and app will be supported by the RE/MAX, LLC team. Both the website and app will continue to generate leads – which, after the rollout, will go directly into an agent’s or team’s kvCORE system.
Will RE/MAX Headquarters continue to have a technology focus?
Absolutely. Technology remains a priority at RE/MAX. Affiliates will get many benefits from the new approach of partnering with a premier industry leader. Moving forward, the RE/MAX technology team – leveraging the best elements of past acquisitions (e.g., booj, First, Gadberry Group) – will focus on the in-house resources and systems most impactful to RE/MAX agents, teams and offices. Some will complement kvCORE while others will be integrated into the platform.
When the time comes, what will the transition be like?
The Inside Real Estate team is renowned for its customer support, especially in the onboarding stage. Affiliates at every level of tech expertise will be guided and supported throughout the transition. They’ll have access to resources, education and even concierge services to ensure a positive experience.
For RE/MAX affiliates who already use kvCORE, what will happen?
Affiliates currently using kvCORE will simply sign up when the rollout reaches their region. During launch, they’ll be able to upgrade to the branded-for-RE/MAX platform at no cost. If they have additional add-ons they wish to keep, they’ll continue to pay for those separately.
Will there still be a focus on driving leads to RE/MAX affiliates?
Yes, but in an even smarter way. In the past decade, the number of online leads industry wide has exploded exponentially while the number of home sales hasn’t. Rather than focusing simply on the volume of leads, the new kvCORE system for RE/MAX will be designed to cultivate leads, manage lead flow, automate tasks and turn leads into transaction-ready buyers and sellers.
Is the Product Support system changing?
Affiliates should continue to seek assistance through the Product Support tile on MAX/Center. As the kvCORE rollout accelerates, some support services will shift to kvCORE staff. Even then, RE/MAX, LLC will continue to maintain a skilled support team to assist with tech-related issues.
Do affiliates need to do anything prior to rollout?
They should visit MAX/Center for updates and watch for communications on details and next steps. Inside Real Estate will offer demos and other opportunities to learn more about the platform in the coming weeks and months, and will provide communications when scheduling. Demos are not offered on demand or per request.
Written by RE/MAX News
