The History Story

Upset with the bad name that poorly trained novices and casual part-timers were giving the real estate profession, Dave Liniger in 1973 started a real estate company in Denver that would limit itself to hiring only full-time, experienced professionals. He wanted a company where homebuyers and sellers could walk into any office in any market, confident they would receive the level of professional service that a transaction of such magnitude demands.

Continuous Growth

Although RE/MAX growth in the early years wasn't exactly stellar, the company has grown every month since its founding. The concept that seemed so logical and powerful to Dave Liniger, was extremely threatening to the industry status quo.

Concerted efforts were made to impede the company's growth. At the close of 1973, there were just 21 agents and eight offices. By 1976 there were 100 agents and by 1977, with 480 agents in the system, RE/MAX gained No. 1 market share in its headquarters city of Denver. That same year, the company expanded into Canada. In 1978, RE/MAX added its 100th office and 1,000th agent - and the hot air balloon became the company's official corporate logo. By 1980, the organization had 3,000 agents.

By 1984, there were 5,000 agents. In the following year, nearly 3,000 agents joined the system. By 1986, RE/MAX was at 1,000 offices and 10,000 agents. By 1987, there was just one larger real estate company in the United States. In 1988, RE/MAX became the largest real estate company in Canada and there were 20,000 RE/MAX agents across North America. In 1990, RE/MAX agents closed 636,366 transactions, representing $63.96 billion in sales. The following year, RE/MAX expanded into the Caribbean where today it's the region's largest real estate operation. In 1992, RE/MAX expanded into Mexico. In 1994, the RE/MAX Satellite Network was launched, broadcasting continuing education programming six hours a day to RE/MAX offices across North America. No other real estate company operates an equivalent system of advanced training. Continuous Growth Internationally In 1995, RE/MAX has expanded into Southern Africa, Europe and Israel.

This Web site was established, with a link to RE/MAX property listings and agent profiles from across North America. In 1996, RE/MAX International was recipient of Income Opportunities magazine's first Franchise Relations Award, based on superior support, training, and communications services provided to franchisees. Expansion continued with offices opening in Central America and Australia - and by the end of the year RE/MAX had offices in 20 countries and spanned five continents.

Today, with over 119,400 agents, more then 6,740 offices in 63 countries, the milestone has been passed. The Most Productive Agents That basic concept enabled RE/MAX (Real Estate Maximums) to grow into the most productive organization the industry has seen.

RE/MAX agents on average have more experience and sell more homes than other agents in the industry. A former top agent himself, Liniger set up RE/MAX offices so that agents would equally share expenses of the operation. That meant each agent had to be skilled enough to generate the income needed to pay a set fee every month. Traditionally, Office Owners required agents to pay the office half their earnings to cover operating expenses.

The traditional structure was a great deal for beginners, part-timers and marginal producers. They could go months without selling a house and not be out any of their own dollars. For these agents, the thought of facing a monthly bill for office expenses was terrifying. Only the most experienced, competent and successful agents saw benefits to the RE/MAX system. Success Breeds Success And interestingly enough, once true professionals started working together in the same office, their skills improved even more. It was a classic case of improving your golf game by playing with better golfers.

The RE/MAX approach had a profound impact on the industry, and today there are many imitators. But none has yet been able to match the level of professionalism held by RE/MAX agents. Indeed, both consumers and others in the industry continue to perceive RE/MAX as the ultimate organization with which top real estate professional affiliates. RE/MAX agents average 12 years of experience, far exceeding the industry average. They also surpass their peers in professional designations - a sign of advanced education in real estate sales and marketing. Change We know how important it is to keep pace with change - to anticipate new trends in the market and integrate new technologies.

At RE/MAX, we recognize that to stay ahead we must provide the most comprehensive service and deliver the best results. Education and Training We encourage our Sales Associates to refresh their skills and update their knowledge - to be in tune with their customers changing needs. Education and training is key as only the most qualified Sales Associates are capable of delivering the level of service that RE/MAX customers have come to expect.

High Customer Satisfaction

RE/MAX receives some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in virtually any service category, providing a wide range of support including: customized marketing plans designed to attract the greatest number of "qualified buyers" in the shortest period of time top performer networking to help buy or sell your home professional relocation and commercial real estate services A Worldwide Referral Network A referral network around the world provides customers with assistance in finding the best! From the RE/MAX agent selling your home, to mortgage financing, moving and storage facilities, as well as a wide range of associated services related to buying or selling a home.

Above all, RE/MAX Sales Associates are independent business people with a direct stake in selling your home. Hot air balloons The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloons are one of the most recognized corporate logos in North America. Although the balloons are independently owned and operated, the corporate "fleet" is approaching 100, the largest in the world.

Children’s Miracle Network

While individual RE/MAX offices and regions have distinguished themselves in various community projects and charities, the official charity of the RE/MAX organization is the Children's Miracle Network (CMN). RE/MAX Sales Associates have raised millions of dollars for CMN hospitals worldwide.

The RE/MAX Balloon

RE/MAX Balloon Fleet

A company image seven stories tall. Multiply that by more than 90 and you have the largest fleet of hot air balloons in the world. Across North America and now increasingly around the globe, the red, white, and blue balloons emblazoned with the RE/MAX logo participate in balloon meets, highlight charitable and business promotions, and drift above athletic events.

And as the size of the actual fleet continues to grow, images of the tricolor RE/MAX Balloon logo multiply through every visual form of advertising and promotion. The RE/MAX Balloon, its logo form, and the accompanying "Above the Crowd"® slogan are all increasingly equated in the public mind with the RE/MAX organization itself.

Order the > Special-Shape Balloon. Each side represents the red, white and blue RE/MAX yard sign that has symbolized new beginnings for millions of people around the world.

More than 27 times taller than a standard RE/MAX yard sign, an estimated 100,000 people will see Sale Away every time it flies. Sale Away appears at sporting events and balloon festivals across North America.

The First RE/MAX Balloon

Just five years old at the time, RE/MAX already held more market share in Denver, the network's birthplace, than any competitor. Word of mouth was spreading fast about the network of highly experienced real estate agents who were proving to be more experienced, productive and knowledgeable than anyone else on the scene.

But market studies showed that among consumers in general, name recognition of RE/MAX ranked well below many lesser competitors.

Meanwhile, in New Mexico, a few RE/MAX agents and their regional leaders dreamed up the idea of entering a red-over-white-over blue RE/MAX Balloon in the 1978 Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. The RE/MAX ground crew wore jackets with patches that read, "Above the Crowd"®, a phrase devised by an Affiliate. And as often is the case with hot-air balloons, the RE/MAX Balloon really grabbed some attention. Plus, the imagery meshed perfectly with the RE/MAX network's emphasis on innovation, freedom and leadership.

RE/MAX International executives in Denver enthusiastically adopted the balloon image as the corporate logo. Within a year, Colorado had its own RE/MAX Balloon, and featured it prominently in a local television campaign. Within four months, RE/MAX held top name recognition in the Denver market.

Growth of the Fleet

The first gathering of RE/MAX Balloons was at the 1982 RE/MAX Great Balloon Race in Toronto. Six balloons participated.

Only six years later, 18 RE/MAX Hot Air Balloons were brought together outside Fenton, Mich. Spectacular helicopter footage of their morning flight over misty Midwestern countryside provided the basis of the RE/MAX "Take a Step Above the Crowd"® advertising campaign.

The third and thus far the largest mass ascension of RE/MAX Balloons took place in the foothills outside Denver in 1989, when 54 RE/MAX Balloons launched and were filmed in flight for yet another RE/MAX commercial. The grand RE/MAX ascension took place a day before the opening of the RE/MAX Balloon Festival, the largest charity balloon event ever held. Attracting 223 hot-air balloons from across North America, the festival was a fun-flying meet designed on a grand scale. Proceeds from the sale of tickets were shared between children's charities.

Promotion and Advertising

The average RE/MAX Balloon makes 65 appearances a year, each event averaging more than an hour, for a fleet total of about 6,400 hours of advertising - equal to nearly nine months of 24-hour flying. RE/MAX expects to pass the 100-balloon fleet milestone in the near future.

The network's major graphic symbol, the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon image appears on "for sale" signs, bus benches, billboards, in print advertising and television commercials. It is one of the most widespread and recognizable images in business marketing.