Franchise Owner Touts RE/MAX Tools That Give Agents an Edge

There are a variety of reasons real estate brokers decide to open their own office, according to Jemila Winsey. For her, it was her passion to help other entrepreneurs build a business – and life – that they loved.

“I know that my agents’ lives are changing,” Winsey said. “That is really what gets me to work every day, knowing that I get to be a part of that journey.”

The Co-Broker/Owner of REMAX Legacy Living and RE/MAX 1st Class, both in the Houston metro area, shared her advice for building a successful business model as part of a panel during the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Mid-Winter Conference. RE/MAX recently announced a new strategic alliance with NAREB, expanding education and training to agents and helping them continue to deliver a premiere real estate experience.

During the panel, Winsey said a turning point in her brokerage came when she and her husband, Patrick, who co-owns the offices, decided to convert from an independent brokerage to a larger brand.

“We wanted to find a [brand] that would offer support and partnership, and give us the tools, systems and support to help our agents,” Winsey said. “That’s why we decided to partner with RE/MAX, they share the same values of entrepreneurship that we do.”

The turnkey resources offered by RE/MAX provide Winsey more time to focus on helping her agents reach new heights. Training is only part of the equation – technology is the other half, especially in today’s competitive market.

“The way we run our brokerage is very tech-centric,” Winsey said. “We have to continue to pivot to what’s going on in today’s industry – and right now technology is at the forefront. Now is the time to leverage the technology tools your franchise offers.”

From a CRM to websites, Winsey said RE/MAX offers an “arsenal” of tools to help her agents grow their business and generate leads. Her favorite is the First app, which uses artificial intelligence to alert agents when a current contact is likely to buy or sell a home in the next three to six months.

“First gives our agents the chance to be intentional about when they follow up with clients. One of my agents has found transactions and been very successful using the First app,” Winsey revealed.  

In a real estate market where inventory is dropping, home prices are rising and competition is increasing, Winsey said agents need to use every tool available to them. And that’s where her passion for coaching comes in. Winsey helps her agents build successful systems to plan their future income, leverage technology tools and be creative.

“My job is to teach agents systems that help them think strategically about their business, but also help them think outside of the box as well,” Winsey said. “I ask, ‘How can you do something creatively to catch a seller’s attention?'”

Innovative thinking, technology and the RE/MAX brand make a powerful combination, Winsey said. She opened her brokerages with eight agents that closed just under $15 million in production each year. Three years later, her offices collectively have 60 agents closing $165 million in production.

“What do I see in the future of our brokerage? I mean, it’s growth,” she said. “We’ve grown very fast in the last few years and will continue to grow.”

Get RE/MAX News delivered to your inbox! Sign up for News Alerts in the footer below.