Realty Executives signs deal to open first franchise in Turkey

Realty Executives International, a real estate franchise company based in Phoenix, has added Turkey to its list of international offices. The franchise agreement was signed late last month with co-owners Temal Sefkatli and Tolga Bozdag of Istanbul.

Despite the economic doldrums that have settled upon the real estate market during the past year, Realty Execs has been expanding rapidly — both in the U.S. and abroad.

Since the first of the year, Realty Execs has awarded franchising rights to 48 new entities, including affiliates in the Dominican Republic and Honduras. It now has franchisees in 17 countries. Within the U.S., Realty Execs has added affiliates in Michigan, New Jersey, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia this year.

Scott Hurlock, vice president of franchise development, is on the road nearly nonstop — and when he isn’t, he’s researching new countries and potential franchisees.

Phoenix Business Journal - by Jan Buchholz

Realty Executives International Franchise Growth Booming

RISMEDIA, November 17, 2009—Realty Executives International, Inc. has awarded franchising rights to 48 franchisees year-to-date, welcoming 2,429 new Executives (real estate agents). Around the world, new regions have been added to the company’s portfolio including the Dominican Republic, Honduras (Roatan) and Turkey. In the United States, New Jersey and Grand Rapids, Michigan are the newest regions, and California and the Southern Region (Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) experienced the most franchise sales.

“Brokers and top producers are choosing Realty Executives because of the value in aligning with our highly reputable brand and because of the tools we provide our Executives so they can leverage every opportunity in today’s dynamic real estate landscape,” says Rich Rector, owner and Executive Chairman of Realty Executives International, Inc.

“We have been focused on understanding the changing economic realities, cultural norms and politics to best equip our real estate professionals to stand out in today’s ‘New Normal,” states Glenn Melton, chief executive officer of Realty Executives International.

Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-11-16/realty-executives-international-franchise-growth-booming/#ixzz0X8HCP8T3

Franchise Growth Escalates for Realty Executives

Franchise Growth Escalates for Top Real Estate Company in Challenging Real Estate Climate

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Realty Executives International, Inc. announces record breaking attendance at the company’s quarterly Franchise Training event with 54 new and renewal Realty Executives franchise owners from North and Central America. Notably, double the attendance the company has historically hosted for over 20 years.

“I attribute the influx of new franchises to today’s dynamic real estate market which truly highlights the value for real estate professionals to be aligned with a strong parent company that supports them with relevant tools and training,” says Rich Rector, owner and Executive Chairman of Realty Executives International, Inc. “There is a new reality in real estate. We have a sound business model and clear perspectives on the industry and the consumer, in local markets and around the world, which positions us well now and for the future.”

Forty-four of the franchise owners in attendance are new franchisees located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize and Honduras. The franchise training event was scheduled from Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9 at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Ariz.

The training curriculum included the following topics: Realty Executives International’s history and vision, budgeting, technology, proformas, business planning, accounting, CRM, communications and public relations, marketing and advertising and recruiting to name a few. Rector adds that perhaps the most significant value of the franchise training event is the opportunity for franchisees to expand their network of real estate professionals globally.

from EVliving.com

Realty Executives International Announces Promotion of Owner Rich Rector to Executive Chairman and Glenn Melton to CEO

RISMEDIA, November 2, 2009—Realty Executives International, Inc., announced Owner Rich Rector’s new position as Executive Chairman, formerly the chief executive officer (CEO), in which he will maintain oversight and a key decision-making role in the operations of the organization. Realty Executives International’s new CEO is Glenn Melton.

Formerly the chief operating officer, Melton will continue to supervise all internal corporate activities including finance, technology, marketing and human resources for the privately-held Phoenix-based, international organization which has nearly 700 franchises in 17 countries. Additionally, both Melton and Rector will assume these roles within the Realty Executives Phoenix brokerage and the Realty Executives Relocation companies.

“Glenn has been a catalyst in reinvigorating the Realty Executives brand worldwide as an authority in real estate,” says Rector. “His franchise expertise coupled with his in-depth real estate knowledge enables Glenn to manage the company with strong foresight and continued long term growth. Glenn’s promotion enables me to maintain a high-level of involvement throughout the organization to actively engage our core values and goals.”

“This is a great time for consumers to leverage the pricing and opportunities available in this market,” says Melton. “Our core responsibility as a parent company is to identify and stay abreast of information, government programs and micro and macro trends that are credible and relevant so our Executives can offer superior real estate guidance.”

Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-11-01/realty-executives-international-announces-promotion-of-owner-rich-rector-to-executive-chairman-and-glenn-melton-to-ceo/#ixzz0ViEclTau

Realty Executives International Awards Franchising Rights to RE/MAX Select

RISMEDIA, September 30, 2009—Realty Executives International, Inc. announced the office conversion of real estate brokerage, RE/MAX Select, to form the franchise Realty Executives Select. This newest Realty Executives franchise brings 60 experienced sales associates, including a real estate professional recognized as the state of California’s number one agent by the former association, with residential listings throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.

“We have fared well since the height of the housing boom because our agents are business savvy and stay educated on today’s emerging real estate market,” says Gary Howard, founder and president of newly formed Realty Executives Select. “We moved to a strong and reputable brand which offers our agents the tools and professionalism required to further leverage opportunities in this dynamic environment.”

Richard Lopez, vice president of Realty Executive Select, adds that today’s real estate market has become very competitive with a myriad of opportunities from short sales to first-time homebuyers entering the market. “We are consistently seeing multiple offers and an increase in transactions. To best position our team now and for the future, we have an aggressive growth plan which includes our partnership with Realty Executives to increase our value proposition to our current and prospective agents.”

For more information, visit www.RealtyExecutives-Select.com.

Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-09-29/realty-executives-international-awards-franchising-rights-to-remax-select/#ixzz0SbEXApUI

Lacie Maynard of Realty Executives Gulf Coast receives 2009 Baldwin County REALTOR® of the Year

Gulf Shores, AL ( – Lacie Maynard of Realty Executives Gulf Coast in Gulf Shores was recently presented with the 2009 Baldwin County REALTOR® of the Year Award. Lacie has been actively involved in real estate for nearly twenty years and has long since been active with the local Habitat for Humanity.

“Our office is extremely proud of Lacie,” said Randy McKinney, Broker/Owner. “Not only is she a leader in our industry, she is a consistent contributor to our community. Her contributions make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Lacie has not only been an active REALTOR® since 1990, but she has also held her Broker’s license for eighteen years. She is a lifetime member of the Best of Baldwin, currently serves on the Board of Directors for Baldwin County Association of Realtors® (BCAR) and is a State Director for BCAR and the Alabama Association of Realtors® (AAR). Lacie is a member of Realty Executives 100% Club and Realty Executives Executive Club. She holds Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and e-Pro (Certification for Internet Professionalism) designations. Lacie is also a past Southern Region Vice President for BCAR.

“I was surprised and extremely moved to have been chosen as the 2009 REALTOR® of the Year,” said Maynard. “I am proud of my profession and even though the real estate market has been a difficult one for the past few years, I am glad I had the support of my family and friends and was able to stay on track. I love being a REALTOR® and it has been my pleasure to work with so many amazing customers and clients over the years. We are seeing gradual improvements in the market and I am very encouraged by this. Even though we may have a few more years of recovery, I still believe that Baldwin County is the best place in the world!”

In addition to her extensive real estate industry achievements, Lacie continues to be tremendously involved in her community and church as well. Maynard was named as Habitat for Humanity’s 2004 Volunteer of the year for the State of Alabama. As for Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County, she has served on the Board of Directors, as Vice President and as Chairman for various relations and fundraising committees. Maynard is actively involved in the life of First Presbyterian Church in Foley and teaches bible study and Sunday school. She is also an active Stephen Minister for her church.

For more information about Lacie Maynard or Realty Executives, please call 251-968-4300 or visit RealtyExecutivesGulfCoast.com.

REALTY EXECUTIVES is one of the fastest-growing real estate franchises in the United States, with nearly 11,000 sales associates and more than 600 franchisees. The Phoenix-based, privately held company has offices in 15 countries including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Panama, Nicaragua, Australia, Israel and Greece. Publications like Entrepreneur, Success and Inc. magazines have regularly ranked Realty Executives International as a leader in the real estate industry based on franchise growth, management stability and financial soundness. For more information, please call 800.252.3366 or visit http://www.realtyexecutives.com/.

Tapping into Short Sales with the Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS) Certification

Larry Orr, of Realty Executives Gulf Coast, has recently completed advanced Short Sale education to provide the highest level of service and expertise to his clients. The intense training program was offered by America’s Home Rescue through Realty Executives International in Phoenix, Arizona.

America’s Home Rescue offers the Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS) Certification Program, which provides all of the tools, resources, and support to leverage the knowledge and skill gained by going through the CDRS training program. The CDRS designation allows those who have really embraced education and taken the initiative to become skilled in Short Sales to be recognized in the industry by homeowners, lenders and other real estate professionals.

"As a Certified Default Resolution Specialist, I am well equipped with the most advanced and extensive pre-foreclosure training and support system in today's challenging real estate market. I can help people explore different pre-foreclosure options in order to find the solution that works best for the homeowner and their lender," Orr said. "It was an incredible experience to participate in this concentrated learning program."

For more information about Realty Executives Gulf Coast, or to contact Larry, please call 251-968-4300 or visit our website RealtyExecutivesGulfCoast.com.

2008 Realty Executives International Top Awards

Rich Rector, President and CEO of Realty Executives International recently announced the winners of the 2008 Top Awards. Click here to launch a video announcement about those top notch Executives, Broker/Owners and Regional Developers who defied the market and continued their climb to the top.


In Addition, from our MidSouth Region, Sherry Dinges, Dell Palmer and Mark Graham also placed in the Top 100. Sherry Dinges, Broker/Owner of Realty Executives Dinges Real Estate in Huntsville, Alabama, placed #49 by Commission Dollars and #87 for Units Sold. Dell Palmer, Broker/Owner of Realty Executives, The Dell Group in Madison, MS placed #42 by Commission Dollars. Mark Graham, from Realty Executives, The Executive Team in Hattiesburg, Mississippi placed #91 in Units Sold. Congratulations Sherry, Dell and Mark!

Realty Executives International Launches First-of-its-Kind National Online Lead Generation Program to Drive Home Buyers to Local Brokerages

Backed by Industry’s Top Lead Management Technology, Unique Program is Designed to Drive Leads Directly to Individual Offices Rather Than Company’s National Site

PHOENIX, Ariz. – April 27, 2009 – Realty Executives International (http://www.RealtyExecutives.com) today announced an innovative online lead generation program, pay-per-click advertising strategy and bold new technology initiative.

Unlike other international real estate franchisors whose advertising campaigns solely drive consumers to their own corporate sites, Realty Executives is taking a 180-degree turn from that approach as it launches a comprehensive local lead generation strategy to drive buyers directly to local brokers’ websites.

To support this initiative, Realty Executives is providing its franchisees with co-marketing funds to help them promote their own company and generate leads online. In addition, Realty Executives is also offering its franchisees advanced lead generation and lead management technology to help cultivate consumer relationships and convert those leads into closed sales.

As part of this initiative, the company announced that it has entered into a strategic relationship with Market Leader (http://www.MarketLeader.com)—an innovator in online marketing technology and services for real estate professionals—to offer the company’s RealtyGenerator technology platform to Realty Executives’ network of offices. RealtyGenerator is a proven lead generation and lead management system that helps real estate brokers grow and manage their business. RealtyGenerator’s powerful lead generation and client management system has been continually enhanced over the past five years and now powers more than 200 leading brokerage companies throughout the nation.

“Our number one goal is to help our brokers and sales associates generate more business, and there’s no better place to do that than online where the overwhelming majority of buyers are now looking first for properties and sales associates,” Realty Executives International President Rich Rector said. “The Internet is transforming our business, and with this new program, we are helping Realty Executives brokerage companies grow their market share and build a new profit center for their business and their sales associates.”

With Realty Generator, we’re no longer experiencing the “slow market” that everyone else is talking about,” said James Watson, a Realty Executives broker in Missouri. “Instead, we’ve increased market share and increased sales by 200%. Our sales associates love it – and some say it delivers more leads than they can handle.”

Rector said some Realty Executives offices are already using RealtyGenerator as part of a recent pilot phase to the program, and these companies are benefiting from the leads the program has generated and the tools that have been provided to help convert those leads into clients.

RealtyGenerator's powerful lead generation and client management system has been continually enhanced over the past five years and currently powers more than 200 innovative brokerage companies throughout the nation.

REALTY EXECUTIVES INTERNATIONAL RANKS ON ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE’S 2009 FRANCHISE 500® LIST

By Marissa Leon

PHOENIX, Ariz. – January 14 – Realty Executives International announced today that it has once again been named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® list for 2009. The company ranked at number 179 worldwide for 2009, making it only the fourth real estate franchisor to appear on this year’s list.

The list is compiled annually by Entrepreneur Magazine and lists franchises in a variety of industries based on specific criteria including company objectives, financial stability, growth rate, size, number of years in the business and length of time franchising. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores are then ranked in order on the general listing.

“We are thrilled to be included in this prestigious report for 2009 and look forward to continuing to drastically improve our rankings in the coming years,” said Rich Rector, president and CEO of Realty Executives International. “A renewed focus and growth strategy for the next several years will, no doubt, continue to keep Realty Executives in the forefront of both the real estate and franchising industries.”

Since the firm started its franchising operation in 1988, Realty Executives International has been named as a top franchise on 19 Entrepreneur Magazine lists, as well as in many other notable national rankings. In fact, in the last several years, the company has repeatedly improved its ranking on the Franchise 500® list.

Realty Executives International, Inc. is one of the fastest-growing real estate franchises in the United States, with nearly 15,000 sales associates and more than 750 franchises. The Phoenix-based, privately held company has offices in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, Israel, Australia, Poland and Spain. Publications like Entrepreneur, Success and Inc. magazines have recently ranked Realty Executives International as a leader in the real estate industry based on franchise growth, management stability and financial soundness. For additional company information visit www.RealtyExecutives.com.

Realty Executives Makes Cover of Real Estate Magazine!

REFINING A BRAND

Realty Executives and the Art of Supporting Professionals

By Maria Patterson

Forty-four years ago, the idea of forming a real estate company based on a 100% commission model was a radical concept-certainly nothing the industry had ever seen before. Today, decades after company Founder Dale Rector revolutionized the industry and put Realty Executives on the map, company President & CEO Rich Rector is keeping that spirit alive by reinventing the company with a fresh approach and a compelling value proposition.

When you’re fundamentally different right out of the gate, it’s hard to settle for anything else. As many companies adopted the 100% commission concept over the years, Rich Rector knew that the founding principles on which Realty Executives was created were something much deeper and more profound than a commission plan. “Our mission is to provide the best possible leadership, environment, support and tools for the Realtor who strives to be a productive professional in their career,” says Rector.

“It should not be news to anyone,” he explains, “that there has been an ongoing revolution in our industry in the areas of information technology, communication and delivery of services. However, one core theme endures, which is that easy access to helpful and relevant information, and guidance from knowledgeable professionals has compelling value to the consumer of real estate services. In 2005, we set about a process of reinventing our core support and communication services to do just that.”

Luckily, being a longtime part of the established company prepared Rector for the task with the gift of perspective. “We revolutionized the industry once before and we needed to make sure we continued to differentiate ourselves in a relevant and compelling way to do it again,” says Rector. “While we experienced significant growth during the last 15 years, I was keenly aware of the dangers of losing our differentiation in the industry as a result of the easy growth we all experienced.” In 2004, Rector challenged his leadership team to refocus and renew the brand.

According to Realty Executives Chief Operating Officer Glenn Melton, who joined the firm in 2005, “When Dale started the company, he built a company that catered to entrepreneurs who were capable of building a business and didn’t need a large bureaucratic burden. At the same time, those people sought low fees and an environment that offered real freedom to operate as they saw fit-and to do so in the company of other professionals.”

As various real estate business models emerged over the years, along with a growing skepticism regarding the role of the Realtor in general, home buyers and sellers, real estate professionals, and the industry as a whole were clearly looking for better solutions.

“We held a meeting with key thought leaders in the franchise community, our regional developers and our broker/owners to ask their perspective on the industry and determine if they were getting what they needed from our franchise,” says Melton. “This is a brand that always made sense from day one and instead of completely rebirthing the brand, we wanted to understand how we could use our founding principles and concepts in a more effective way for today’s business environment.”

For the complete article, CLICK HERE.

Realty Executives Int'l Ranks in Franchise 500

Entrepreneur Magazine recently published their Franchise 500 which ranks the top 500 franchises overall as well as other categories such as Low-Cost Franchises & America's Top Global Franchises. Below are our rankings.

Franchise 500® rank:#179 (2009); #63 (2006); #73 (2005);Fastest-Growing Franchises:#37 (2006); #44 (2005);Low-Cost Franchises:#36 (2009); #16 (2006); #17 (2005);America's Top Global Franchises:#140 (2009); #58 (2006); #64 (2005);

For the complete online posting, please CLICK HERE.

Realty Executives Grows Into the New Year

RISMEDIA, January 6, 2009-Realty Executives Gulf Coast has announced that four more experienced real estate agents have decided to join its team. Betty Bronnenberg, Paula LeBlanc, Ba Porterfield and Larry Orr will be practicing as real estate sales professionals out of the company’s office located at 3479-B Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores.

“I am excited about the growth and experience level here at Realty Executives,” said Broker/Owner, Randy McKinney. “While other companies are closing and contracting, we are determined to attack a challenging market head on with a well-equipped team of professionals ready to serve the buyers and sellers in our community.”

Larry Orr is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and relocated to Orange Beach five years ago. He has been active in real estate for over three years. “I am looking forward to a new year with a great company with dynamic leadership. Tough times require new ways of doing business, and Realty Executives provides the platform from which to reach for greater successes,” said Orr.

Ba Porterfield has lived on the Gulf Coast for over five and a half years. She has been a licensed real estate professional for 15 years now. Prior to real estate she spent many years in Mortgage Banking Loan Administration servicing real estate loans in all 50 states. This profession led to her living all over the United States. “I am excited and optimistic about my future with Realty Executives Gulf Coast. I look forward to serving my clients with the outstanding resources and guidance offered by our office & the franchise,” said Porterfield.

Paula LeBlanc moved to the Gulf Coast area in 2004 from New Iberia, LA and began her career in real estate about a year ago. Prior to working in the real estate industry she practiced nursing at Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley and was in sales a number of years prior to that. “It has been a learning and rewarding experience. I’ve not only had customers, but have created new friendships. My decision to join Realty Executives was based on the exciting marketing tools and plans that Realty Executives offers and the way I was made to feel at home immediately. I look at this as a great opportunity to work with our community to fulfill their housing needs,” said LeBlanc.

Betty Bronnenberg is originally from Meridian, Mississippi and has lived on the Gulf Coast for more than six years. She has been actively involved in the real estate industry for over five years. “I look forward to starting the New Year with Realty Executives, a company that provides positive, solid leadership and offers the latest in technological tools and support that is crucial in today’s market,” said Bronnenberg.

Each of these real estate executives may be reached at (251) 968-4300. For more information, visit www.RealtyExecutivesGulfCoast.com.