By Deborah Ball Kearns, RE/MAX Times Online Associate Editor

Despite turbulent times in the global economy, the RE/MAX network experienced unprecedented growth internationally in 2009. RE/MAX expanded into countries such as Brazil, Colombia, India, Morocco and Peru last year, further strengthening the brand's presence throughout the world.

RE/MAX now has a presence in more than 75 countries, nearly a dozen of which were added since November 2008. The RE/MAX International Development team receives a growing number of inquiries from prospects looking to start a RE/MAX region in their countries. But the team doesn't sign up just anyone for a new region; only a select few are considered to ensure that the right people join the system.

"We look for franchisees who are invested in the RE/MAX culture and business model," says William Soteroff, RE/MAX International Senior Vice President of International Development. "We're very selective about who we partner with; we want people who have a passion, vision and a fire in their bellies like Dave [Liniger] has for this business and the network. It takes a special person to start an international region and make it grow into a successful operation."

New Region Owners in several countries, such as India and Singapore, are focusing on conversions and acquisitions of existing real estate offices in order to recruit established, seasoned real estate professionals. So far, it's working, says Gustavo Caricote, Senior Franchise Development Consultant for RE/MAX Caribbean and Central America. As the network grows, so does its diversity – and the tools it provides to such a diverse membership, Caricote adds.

The addition of several new Latin American countries has increased the number of Spanish-language training manuals and videos available through RE/MAX University. And with Brazil added to the mix, expect a higher demand for Portugese materials.

Keeping up with the heightened demand for these kinds of services and the need for guidance to grow new regions is all in a day's work for the International Development team.

"When we bring Region Owners to Denver for training, we teach them how to sell franchises and develop their regions," says Jan Repa, Senior Franchise Development Consultant. "The people who are buying franchises now are true business people who know the market and who are loyal to RE/MAX – and that's exactly what we want. No one else can offer the value, brand name recognition or educational and technological tools that RE/MAX provides."

In many countries RE/MAX enters, there is little or no oversight to govern how real estate agents do business. Oftentimes, new Region Owners want to raise the professional standards and bring a new level of professionalism and ethics to their home countries, says Larry Oberly, RE/MAX International Vice President of International Development.

"The prospects who come to us want to improve industry standards in their environments," Oberly says. "That's why it's so important to find people who are hungry to make a difference and who challenge the business as usual mindset."

The global expansion not only heightens the network's presence, it also creates more opportunities for agents in the U.S., Canada and other established regions to do more international business, says Ricardo Cardenas, RE/MAX International Regional Vice President of Latin America and the Caribbean.

"By adding more countries, we're creating more business opportunities for all Associates and opening doors that didn't exist," Cardenas says. "It also gives the new agents in other countries access to U.S. markets and referrals they wouldn't normally have received otherwise. By pushing forward with our international expansion, we're showing people that RE/MAX is still growing and is a stable force in today's challenging market."

The International Development team is looking to continue its track record of growth. Countries such as China, Ukraine, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Egypt are high on the team's radar as the next possible additions to the network.  

Posted 1/8/10