We started First with a simple goal that’s now our mission: to help agents win more business by focusing their effort on the right people.
This has been our guiding north star for creating and perfecting the intelligent coaching platform, which provides data-driven solutions to help real estate agents prioritize conversations and invest in business-growing relationships. It has motivated us to go deep on data to understand what actually helps agents grow their business, not just generate another lead. It has led us to solve hard problems like alerting agents to homeowners in their database who are most likely to sell, as well as automating the cleanup of messy contact databases and figuring out how to match property addresses to phone and email contacts.
Most importantly, our mission has always been focused on agents. We believe agents are and will always be a crucial part of the home-buying and selling process. This focus has helped First consistently improve agents’ ability to win more deals in their network – not just by providing the best data and predictive intelligence, but also by understanding agents’ workflow and building a simple product that fits into their day. First’s technology takes work off agents’ plates so they can focus on what they do best: delivering incredible customer experiences.
Early this year, we looked for ways to build on our core offering and explored integrating with brokerages and brands that shared our mission. The companies we met with quickly saw the potential of our platform, and many recognized how building a tight integration with the First platform would offer a significant competitive advantage in the market. Several approached us about acquiring First outright, and while we initially dismissed this option, we eventually decided to explore it further.
Of all the companies, RE/MAX stood out for several reasons. First of all, our cultures are very aligned. From my first meeting with RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos, I realized how strongly we both agreed on the importance of building solid teams and taking care of our people. The quality of the leadership and the cultural foundations set by RE/MAX Co-Founders Dave and Gail Liniger are compelling. I love betting on great leaders who live out great values.
It was refreshing to find a brand committed to developing products that truly improve productivity and success, and not just looking to build hype with headlines.
Mike Schneider, First CEO & Co-Founder
It also became apparent that RE/MAX is playing the long game when it comes to diversification and investment in technology. For example, RE/MAX shares First’s commitment to leading the industry in data privacy and security, despite the additional costs. RE/MAX is working on more than just providing agents with in-house tools – RE/MAX is innovating and expanding opportunities for agents. It was refreshing to find a brand committed to developing products that truly improve productivity and success, and not just looking to build hype with headlines.
Lastly, we were impressed by the RE/MAX vision for technology to help increase productivity among the industry’s best agents. RE/MAX agents already average more sales than other real estate agents, and meaningful technology investments will provide more tools to help agents extend that lead. Having the best agents will provide a superior customer experience, especially when backed by world-class technology.
That’s why First chose RE/MAX. I am honored and excited to bring our team, platform and innovation to the RE/MAX network.
Written by Mike Schneider, First CEO & Co-Founder
