Collaboration, Support and Brand: Why a Team Leader Returned to RE/MAX

As a real estate team leader of more than two decades, Rick Brandt is always looking for ways to embrace innovation and enhance his team’s performance.

In 2022, when a local competitor brand in his market – historic Yorktown, Virginia, near the Chesapeake Bay – reached out, Brandt got a spark of curiosity and wanted to follow it. He and his team’s co-leader, Johnny Francum, moved their enterprise, Team Titan, away from a RE/MAX brokerage and over to eXp.

It was a short-lived detour. After just five months away, Team Titan returned to RE/MAX – this time aligning with RE/MAX Capital, a brokerage known for its local prominence and trustworthy professionals.

The experience confirmed to Brandt that RE/MAX is the place for his business to call home.

“[Moving] seemed like a very enticing opportunity. But we quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for us,” Brandt says of his time away.

“We missed the culture we had with the RE/MAX network – something always apparent at things like the conventions. Everyone in the network is focused on the heart of the profession: Helping people buy or sell homes. Because of this, we’ve meshed well with the RE/MAX brand over 20 years.”

The RE/MAX brand’s collaborative environment – where affiliates are invested in helping each other grow business – was hard to replicate elsewhere. Brandt says RE/MAX roundtable discussions and virtual brainstorms have been extremely helpful to his business growth.

“We mastermind with other likeminded RE/MAX agents and have built a referral network around the country because of it,” he explains. “I didn’t realize how much I missed these things until I came back and got involved again.”

Support from office leadership is a valuable asset to Brandt.

“We were used to having a broker we could call when we needed to. We’ve been in the business a good while, and we don’t need help that often, but when we do it’s great to know your broker is there for you,” he shares. “We didn’t have that opportunity with our broker when we were away from RE/MAX.”

Brandt continues, “You don’t realize how much relationships like these mean to you until you don’t have them. Our brokers now are great – they have a helpful, hands-on approach.”

RE/MAX Capital is owned and operated by Robert “Bobby” Jankovic, Theresa Wackowski and Alizon Mazzuca. Brandt and Francum appreciate how much the leaders are involved with the office – and how they’re always just a phone call or in-person meeting away.

Brandt and Francum are determined to help their team achieve success – and are constantly finding ways to further that mission.

“I’ve always thrived in leadership roles, and I enjoy helping people grow. After all, helping others helps me too,” Brandt says. “The team is amazing at synergizing ideas and working together toward common goals. Our core values are integrity and teamwork, as well as family and fun.”

He notes how participating in the Buffini & Company team coaching program has been helpful for the members of Team Titan. Through RE/MAX University, the brand’s digital learning hub, RE/MAX affiliates can take education courses and participate in real estate coaching programs. Multiple offerings from Buffini & Company are available through the platform.

“We foster a growth culture for our team, and coaching is especially helpful. We read books together. We have team meetings every week where we review the books we’re reading. We have regular business planning sessions. These are just a few things we do that create a productive environment,” Brandt shares.

With sharp skills and a passion for the profession, Team Titan is leaning into the power of the RE/MAX network for business growth, helping as many customers as possible, and continuing to be a leading choice for real estate services in the community.

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