The History of RE/MAX

the most often  question asked at RE/MAX is pretty straightforward: what does the word "RE/MAX" mean?

The answer is self-explanatory and elegant in its simplicity: RE/MAX is an acronym for Real Estate Maximums.

It means that an agent working for RE/MAX will garner the maximum amount of commissions and in the process provide top-notch service.

Incredible as it may sound, this concept was a kernel in the mind of Dave and Gail Liniger, founders of RE/MAX, who in 1973, thought that the traditional split between brokers and agents was far from being a fair deal for agents. And they wanted to change the status quo.

At the time, most real estates offices operated on the commission-split model requiring agents to forfeit fifty-percent of their earnings in exchange for an office and services.

This system was, of course, skewed since those contributing to any office were the top earners subsidizing the bottom earners and perpetuating the notion that real estate professionals were amateur part-timers.

The Linigers believed that to attract the top professionals, an office would have to allow them to earn all of their commissions and in return, they would have to share in overhead expenses and pay for management services.

The concept was not only innovative but revolutionary at its core and it encountered plenty of detractors and nay-sayers who did not believe that it would work.

It would, however, fundamentally shift the relationship between brokers and agents and in the process impact the industry in an irreversible manner.

And, to the disappointment of the opposition, it worked.

Since, RE/MAX has grown exponentially becoming a force to be reckoned with and in the process changed public perception of agents.

Along the way, it garnered accolades for having the most educated and professional sales force, for having a well-compensated one and for being a front-runner providing support, education and tools to those with entrepreneurial hunger and stamina.

Additionally, RE/MAX Satellite Network (RSN) was introduced to help the membership become even more professional by offering continuous education and advanced training courses in addition to constant updates on the state of the real estate industry. It continues to be the only satellite television network dedicated solely to the real estate industry.

Other services that were offered to its members were relocation and asset management, commercial investment, an international referral network, intranet and Internet Web sites and introductions to the latest technological tools.

With its red, white, and blue colors and its ever-present balloon as part of large advertising and media campaigns, RE/MAX is globally recognized by the public as a trustworthy leading force in the industry.

Its unprecedented growth has also come from outside the United States expanding to Canada where it is the largest real estate organization, and to Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand and South America.

Its sales force has now surpassed the 116,000 mark closing nearly 2 million transactions and making it the largest real estate franchise sales organization in the world.

RE/MAX International is divided into regions and RE/MAX of Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Southern Ohio franchise rights are owned by Howard McPherson, President and Owner, who purchased the rights in 1978 and went on to expand the RE/MAX brand throughout the four states.

Since 1992, RE/MAX has been the official real estate sponsor of The Children's Miracle Network raising more than $67 million for Children's Hospitals in addition to supporting Little League, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and many more events in the Region.