Transformation, Kindness, Productivity on Display at 2020 R4 Opener

Again. Again and again and again.

At the 2020 R4 Convention in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos released 2019 sales data and reinforced the longtime assertion that nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.

Contos, speaking to nearly 7,000 R4 attendees from 67 countries at the convention’s Opening General Session, declared that RE/MAX agents closed nearly 1.6 million residential transaction sides last year, a figure unsurpassed by any other brand. It was one of many highlights from the kickoff event of R4, the annual RE/MAX convention that brings together agents, owners and affiliates from across the world. Contos also shared the company has grown to more than 130,000 agents worldwide, the most in company history.

“The bottom line is, between RE/MAX and Motto Mortage [the second company under RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.], we have a lot of people transforming lives,” Contos said. “And the focus of this week is getting even better. When you get better, you can help others be better. That’s why we’re in this business.”

Transformation was a theme throughout the opening event, which underscored the RE/MAX vision of growth and its modern business approach – one that takes risks and delivers more.

Contos outlined how ongoing “bold moves” are equipping already productive agents to be even more successful, do even more business and, in turn, help even more people.

The session came almost two years to the day after RE/MAX acquired booj, an award-winning real estate tech company. The acquisition began a technology transformation at RE/MAX. Although it hasn’t always been easy, Contos said the heavy investment in technology was essential in today’s changing market.

To highlight that transformation, Contos introduced a second tech acquisition. In December, RE/MAX purchased First, a North Carolina technology company that uses data science, machine learning and human interaction to help real estate professionals unlock the value of their personal network. 

Essentially, the First app identifies an agent’s contacts who are most likely to buy or sell a home in the next several months.

First is now exclusively available to RE/MAX agents, although existing users can remain until their contracts end. The app, available at a heavily discounted price,  will be available to the entire U.S. RE/MAX network on March 16. R4 attendees are able to download the app now.

While Contos highlighted the many recently released tools ­- including a new remax.com and consumer search app ­- he said that what really helps RE/MAX agents excel is their ability to form genuine relationships.

It’s a notion RE/MAX Co-Founder Dave Liniger, who joined Contos on stage, emphasized as well.

“You can’t replace the relationship of the agent and the customer,” Linger said. “We don’t sell books or airplane tickets or rentals cars. This is a long-term relationship.

“There are things that are never going to change. And that is the customer wants somebody who will help them with a very difficult transaction. They want somebody they trust. They don’t want somebody who’s only after a commission. Real estate is totally, 100% about trusting the agent, and if you establish that, the referrals will come in, no matter what changes happen in the industry.”

Contos ended by telling RE/MAX affiliates: “Get rid of all the noise in our world. Be kind. Be grateful. Be proud to be with the No. 1 brand in real estate.”

Other highlights from the Opening General Session. 

·      Contos announced several additions to RE/MAX University. In addition to a partnership with Buffini & Company, a new commercial learning track and coaching videos from some of the company’s top agents, it will add three additional languages: Turkish, Arabic and Italian. The company offers its trainings in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Korean.

·      Contos welcomed five CMN Hospitals Miracle Children on stage to share their stories. RE/MAX agents have donated millions of dollars to support CMN Hospitals and kids for the past 28 years.

·      The real estate industry was rocked in November when Newsday published a detailed report of unfair practices and discrimination in Long Island. Contos reminded those in attendance that RE/MAX is an inclusive organization that does the right thing. “We help people through kindness,” he said.

·      Speaker Les Brown encouraged the audience to celebrate their victories but to also “stay hungry” and avoid the mistake of slowing down or becoming complacent. He noted that he didn’t really think it would be a problem, considering the quality, drive and confidence of RE/MAX professionals around the world.

·      Things keep going on Wednesday, when Chief Customer Officer Nick Bailey hosts Good Morning RE/MAX. Bailey’s event will highlight new marketing initiatives, the consumer experience, and the agent’s role as the most important part of a real estate transaction.