Growing Through Acquisition: RE/MAX Office Starts the New Year by Adding 125 Agents

How a business operates during the good times can set it up to thrive when uncertainty hits.

Perhaps no one knows this better than Molly Butler, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Leading Edge in St. Augustine, Florida. Long before the COVID-19 pandemic began, the agents in Butler’s brokerage had already been leveraging the tools and technology offered by RE/MAX to successfully run their businesses – often on the go. The brokerage’s existing emphasis on technology enabled the agents to continue growing their business, even in a mostly virtual environment.

“We didn’t really see a downturn in business, and I attribute a lot of that to the tools and technology RE/MAX offers,” Butler says. “I know a lot of independent brokerages were struggling without the same tools.”

Butler saw this as an opportunity to help. With a new focus on growth through acquisitions, she began looking to add to her existing office. She sought a brokerage that would benefit from the RE/MAX brand and with agents who would thrive in the RE/MAX Leading Edge culture.

With the help of Mitch Roher from the dedicated RE/MAX Mergers & Acquisitions team at RE/MAX HQ, she found the perfect match with Magnolia Properties, a well-known local brokerage. After more than 20 years in real estate, the previous owner Eileen Blocker, was ready to return to her first passion of selling real estate. RE/MAX Leading Edge acquired Magnolia Properties in mid-February, adding 125 agents to its roster.

“Eileen and I worked hand in hand to make sure it was a smooth transition,” Butler says. “I’ve learned so much from her during this process. She has a wealth of knowledge from all of her years in the industry, and I’m thrilled she’ll be continuing her career as a listing agent with RE/MAX Leading Edge.”

With the acquisition of Magnolia Properties, RE/MAX Leading Edge adds a second office location and expands their services throughout Northeast Florida.

Coaching, technology and support to help agents thrive

The agents new to RE/MAX Leading Edge will be able to take advantage of the comprehensive support and services Butler has offered real estate professionals since opening the brokerage in 2017.

The office provides a full suite of marketing and contract-to-close services for which Butler says many agents would typically have to outsource or hire an assistant. This helps agents streamline business and allows them more time to focus on clients.

According to Butler, RE/MAX technology – particularly the booj CRM and digital marketing platform – is another powerful advantage agents find at her office.

“Booj is just phenomenal,” she says. “It’s huge for my agents to have their CRM, website manager, marketing and more housed in one place, and for the technology to work seamlessly together. Before they join our office, many agents have a simple website, but they find booj and other RE/MAX marketing tools offer so much more to help them build their businesses.”

Butler also ensures her agents have the right training they need to reach the next level in their career. RE/MAX Leading Edge offers Momentum, a complete agent development program exclusive to RE/MAX.

“Our training for brand-new agents teaches them the business and helps them get into production quickly,” Butler says. “Many didn’t have the right technology or structure before joining our office. Seasoned agents find options for continued growth through various training and coaching platforms as well. We want to empower all agents with the best tools and knowledge to build a successful business.”  

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