RE/MAX Broker Spotlight: Q&A with Broker/Owner of Expanding Ohio Brokerage

Name: Jill Marks Lorentz
Preferred Title: Broker/Owner and REALTOR®
Company Name: RE/MAX Local Experts
3 Locations: Mount Orab, Ohio; Georgetown, Ohio; Hillsboro, Ohio
Years in Real Estate: 20

Q: How did you get into real estate?  

I’m a fourth generation REALTOR® and grew up watching family members run their real estate offices and build businesses. I developed a passion for the industry, earned a degree in industrial design and business management, and dabbled in rehabbing before getting serious about it in 2002. I began working for Ohio’s largest home builder and developer, and in 2005, I became a licensed REALTOR®. By 2008, I was a broker and opened my first RE/MAX franchise in 2017. In 2019, I purchased the RE/MAX Local Experts location in the heart of Mount Orab and completely rehabbed the 100 plus year-old Brown County National Bank building. Then in mid-2022 I opened a second RE/MAX franchise in Georgetown, Ohio and in November of 2022, I purchased a third location, which will be opening in Hillsboro, Ohio this year.

Q: What originally attracted you to the RE/MAX brand?

I had owned and operated an unaffiliated brokerage for a few years prior to joining another local RE/MAX brokerage. Being an unaffiliated brokerage was extremely difficult and I struggled with the lack of brand recognition, education, and technology resources. I still wanted to be “independent” and as I talked with various agents and brokers, I came to realize aligning with RE/MAX meant you are truly in business for yourself, just not by yourself. I could get everything I needed, and more, by joining RE/MAX.

At that time, we were using Design Center and other tools and technology. I embraced it all! The offerings in both education and technology have grown so much in such a short time. RE/MAX is also home of the utmost professionals in the business. As a builder rep previously, RE/MAX agents were always my go to and trusted partners for referrals because they were the agents that hustled and got the work done.

Q: What were some of the feelings you had around your move to RE/MAX?

I couldn’t believe I was trying to do it all on my own before. While I was nervous about paying fees monthly, in time it was worth it for the time and stress I saved. I wish I had joined RE/MAX so much sooner.

Q: How would you describe the support you experienced when opening your RE/MAX office?

It’s readily available. Attending Broker 101 was great, and ongoing accessible help is there whenever I need it. It’s nice to get random calls too, often with helpful tips. My reps have time to chat with me, and give me references or other Broker/Owners to talk with. Everyone in the organization offers help – and proactive help. We have a great network of people.

Q: How did the market respond to your move to RE/MAX?

Definitely no introduction is ever needed to the RE/MAX brand – it’s instant credibility. This is something I often discuss with my agents and recruits. RE/MAX agents are the professionals leading our industry.

Q: How much has your brokerage grown since aligning with RE/MAX?

As an unaffiliated broker, it was just me. I couldn’t grow without a respected name and packaged services. I purchased my first RE/MAX franchise in 2017 with no committed agents and now, five years later, I have a thriving brokerage and interested recruits.

Q: What do you think contributed to this growth? Why?

Two big reasons:

1. I identified an area where the community was being underserved for their real estate needs. The majority of real estate sales were being handled by agents who were brokered by larger brokerages close to an hour away. This was an opportunity! I wanted to provide those agents the best brokerage services closer to the communities they serve.

2. My family is well known in the community and have built many valuable relationships. Being associated with hard working, respected, community-serving, charitable, kind, and helpful people goes a long way in real estate. I sincerely say “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” I take pride in my work and my RE/MAX community I have built. So why are we successful? Because my personal goal was to help people help other people – and we do. RE/MAX helps me, I help our agents, our agents help our community, and our communities get stronger.

Q: What are some of your professional goals and how is RE/MAX helping you achieve them?

My first big goal was to help people financially and show people how to invest in themselves and realize the financial freedom that can come from owning a home and or investing in real estate. The education of RE/MAX University® (RU) is invaluable, and the access to industry coaches and leaders, as well as the network of amazing people who share their wealth of knowledge, all gives us the confidence to help any client in any market.

My second goal was to help agents make and keep the most they could. The reputation of RE/MAX gives them the respect, tech tools, education and marketing they need. And we have the confidence to do our job better than anyone else. My agents are my priority day in and day out – they all know I am here for them. I am proactive as well, just like RE/MAX support is with me. We’re all a big team.

My third goal is that I want to build a long-term business – something with great value for the next generation. RE/MAX tools help me do that and MAX/TechSM powered by kvCORE will even more. How exciting!

Q: What tools and resources provided by RE/MAX do you and your agents find to be the most valuable?

The network of professionals. The way everyone shares Ideas, solutions, and encouragement in Facebook groups. Then, of course, MAX/Center – the tech tools, marketing tools and RU education – all in one spot. MAX/Tech powered by kvCORE will help take this all to the next level.

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