Meet the RE/MAX International Development Team

RE/MAX - International Development Team

First Row, left to right

Larry Oberly joined RE/MAX in July of 1998.  Larry is the Vice President of International Operations and oversees all operations outside of the United States.  Larry is a marathon runner, is married and has a son.  Larry can be reached at loberly@remax.net

Ricardo Cardenas joined RE/MAX in October of 1995.  Ricardo is the Vice President of Latin America and Caribbean.  Prior to joining RE/MAX, Ricardo owned a RE/MAX franchise in El Salvador, along with his wife with whom he has two young daughters.  He can be reached at rcardenas@remax.net.

Top Row, left to right

Patrick Kelly joined RE/MAX in December 2009.  His focus is the Caribbean and Central America.  Patrick spent the previous 12 months in Harlem, New York working with high risk youth.  Patrick can be reached at patrick.kelly@remax.net.

Jan Repa joined RE/MAX in June of 2003.  Jan works with Europe, Middle East, and South America.  Jan’s passion is ice hockey.  Jan is originally from the Czech Republic which is where his family resides.  Jan can be reached at jrepa@remax.net. 

Bill Soteroff joined the RE/MAX family in May of 1994 as the EVP of RE/MAX New England.  In 2001 he moved his family to Vienna and became the COO of RE/MAX Europe.  In 2006 Bill joined RE/MAX International in Denver as the SVP of International Development.  Bill is married with two grown children and he enjoys spending time with his family.  Bill can be reached at wsoteroff@remax.net

Gustavo Caricote joined RE/MAX in January of 2002.  Gustavo oversees the Caribbean & Central America.  Gustavo is an avid skier and a wine connoisseur. He loves to travel and always enjoys a good conversation. He can be reached at gcaricote@remax.net

Cheryl  Luster joined RE/MAX in February of 2007.  She is the administrative assistant for Mr. Soteroff and the International Development team.  Cheryl is married with two grown children and 2 grandkids.  Cheryl can be reached at cherylluster@remax.net

Two Training and Recruiting Events in Costa Rica

Event in San Jose

Event in Guanacaste

I was pleased to spend time with our team in Costa Rica, where we had two Training and Recruiting Events in early November of this year. They are holding their grown despite difficult market conditions and several of them reported that they are already seeing a higher number of buyers than they had during the previous months. Many part-timers and informal agents from the competition have left the industry during the downturn, and this has strengthened our position to provide the best real estate service to our buyers and sellers. Costa Rica continues to be one of the favorite destinations for Americans, Canadians and Europeans. They are also receiving a large number of buyers from South America. For franchise opportunities in Costa Rica, or to join one of our existing franchises, please e-mail me at rcardenas@remax.net

Peru gives RE/MAX a warm welcome

Over 240 enthusiastic professionals from the real estate industry gathered in Lima for the inauguration of RE/MAX Peru

Latin America today is not the Latin America of our parents. In my recent trip to the city of Lima I saw a city that is clean and well maintained, a growing middle class, thriving businesses, and a growing economy.

I was honored to speak during the inauguration of RE/MAX Peru, with an attendance of near 240 real estate agents and industry in general. There was enthusiasm and emotion. The real estate laws that are expected to pass in 2010 will regulate the real estate industry and will provide a more stable structure on which we can grow.

To find out about franchise opportunities in Peru, or to join as an Agent, please e-mail Co-Regional Owner Avi Maryl (avimaryl@remax.net)

RE/MAX growing in Costa Rica

Our new franchise RE/MAX Best Climate is located in Atenas.  Shelly Goettl and Roberto Muggli chose a RE/MAX franchise because of its worldwide brand recognition.  The mountain town of Atenas is known for its moderate climate and relaxed small town atmosphere combined with a progressive business environment.   Atenas is conveniently located just a short drive from the capital of San Jose, the SJO international airport, world class medical facilities, shopping and entertainment.  The town is an up and coming area of Costa Rica because of its easy access to the new  San José-Caldera highway to the beach.   The community’s claim to fame “El Mejor Clima del Mundo”  or “The Best Climate in the World” is proudly displayed throughout the town. Roberto is fluent in Spanish and has degrees in International Business, Spanish, and Education. Shelly has been a licensed Minnesota real estate broker and member of the National Association of Realtors since 1977.  She is member of the professional standards committee for the Realtor Association of Southern Minnesota.  She has received training through the National Association of Realtors as a mediator, E-Pro, and Transnational Referral Certification. For more information contact Shelly: shellygoettl@yahoo.com

Colombia is now part of global RE/MAX network

Francisco Paillie (Regional Director and co-owner), Maria Fernanda Paillie (co-owner), Ricardo Cardenas (VP Latin America and Caribbean), Margarita Arenas y Nestor Arenas (co-owners), Juan Felipe Vanegas (Legal Director and co-owner).

October 30th, 2009. With great excitement took place the inauguration of RE/MAX Colombia last night in the city of Bogota, where 80 real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and investor met to learn about the opportunities that RE/MAX has to offer. Ricardo Cardenas, VP RE/MAX Latin America and Caribbean and Francisco Paillie, Regional Director of RE/MAX Colombia presented the benefits of affiliation with RE/MAX and how the RE/MAX system helps their affiliates do more business and take their careers to the next level.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indicated that the Colombia economy will grow 0.3% this year, making Colombia one of the few Latin America countries that will not suffer a recession this year; for 2010 the IMF has projected a 2.5% growth for this country. With a growing middle class and entrepreneurs that are known for their ingenuity and persistence, Colombia is an ideal country to leverage the benefits of the RE/MAX system.

To learn more about RE/MAX franchises or real estate careers in Colombia, please contact Francisco Paillie at francisco@remax.com.co

RE/MAX affiliates from over 20 countries gathered in Miami

Attendees at the 2009 RE/MAX Encounter of the Americas in Miami, Florida.

Over 120 RE/MAX affiliates from more than 20 different countries representing the US, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, and as far away as India converged in Miami for our 2009 RE/MAX Encounter of the Americas held in Miami, Florida, Sep 30 – Oct 2. 

They learned new ways to grow their business, create international business opportunities and leverage the RE/MAX brand.  The conference kicked off with a welcome reception at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton South Beach. During the opening session, RE/MAX International Senior Vice President of International Development William Soteroff shared a global update on behalf of RE/MAX International, introducing the newest regions and outlining regional development progress. 

Larry Oberly, Vice President of International Development, and Ricardo Cardenas, Regional Vice President Latin America/Caribbean, shared positive and optimistic messages to the audience and announce new programs and services geared towards increasing global business within the RE/MAX network.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Fred Grosse, delivered compelling presentations for Broker/Owners, Managers and Sales Associates with a powerful message that can greatly enhance the quality of their business and their lives. Dr. Fred Grosse helped people discover what they really want and to clarify business and personal goals. His technique is about the most effective use of time, on a consistent basis. He showed participants how to create balance in life, to stretch beyond previous comfort zones, to rediscover passion, use inner assets and realize tangible, magnificent, life-changing results. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to earn a professional certification – International Real Estate Specialist – which empowers real estate professionals to expand their businesses into global markets. 

The conference was packed with fun, energy and plenty of opportunities– such as the International Networking Mixer – for attendees to  promote their services and learn about the opportunities that are available in different countries and markets. Everyone was very pleased with the content and format of the event.  We look forward to seeing you all at our 2010 Encounter of the Americas next year.

RE/MAX concept very well received in Brazil

RE/MAX Brazil was officially launched during the week of Oct. 5^th, 2009, with presentations of Dave Liniger, Chairman and Co-founder of RE/MAX International in the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador. Great excitement was built in the three cities, where Liniger presented in front of enthusiastic groups of professional real estate agents, counting more than 1,100 in total.

Liniger also conducted interviews with over 25 publications and several of the main television stations. With a fast growing middle class, a diversified economy, and a leadership role among the South America and world economies, Brazil is a country where the agent-centric concept of RE/MAX is being very well received.

We invite you to watch these videos, with excerpts of Liniger’s media interviews. For information about RE/MAX franchises in Brazil, contact Marco Silva, Regional Director of RE/MAX Brazil, at msilva@remax.com.br

Dave Liniger's press conference in Brazil. Part I (English/Portuguese). 4 minutes.

Dave Liniger's press conference in Brazil. Part II (English/Portuguese). 7 minutes.

Dave Liniger's press conference in Brazil. Part III (English/Portuguese). 7 minutes.

Representatives of Australia, Peru, and India visited RE/MAX headquarters in Denver, CO, USA.

RE/MAX International was privileged to host an International Management Seminar in late August for our new franchises in Peru and India. We also had special guests from RE/MAX of Western Australia join us for a week of meetings, training and education.

RE/MAX continues to grow internationally at a phenomenal pace – we’ve already added eight more countries to the RE/MAX Network in 2009, giving us an international reach of more than 75 countries. That’s more than any of our competitors. But what’s more exciting, is that these new franchise owners come to us because they believe that RE/MAX will make their real estate business successful and will further the real estate industry in their own countries.

We’re excited to welcome even more new regions in 2009!

In this picture are our 10 guests from India, the two new Region Owners of RE/MAX Peru, two owners of RE/MAX Australia, and RE/MAX International staff.

Hundreds of RE/MAX Brokers Gather in Chicago to Focus on Future

Dave Liniger, Chairman and Co-Founder of RE/MAX International, during the 2009 RE/MAX Summer Conference in Chicago.

2009 RE/MAX Summer Conference in Chicago

Speaking to an enthusiastic audience of nearly 700 Broker/Owners and Managers, RE/MAX International, Inc., Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger spelled out his vision of the post-recession real estate industry.

Liniger presented best business practices to succeed – not only survive – during the recession. The RE/MAX Broker Owners and Managers attending the event will learn important ideas to better serve their agents and buyers and sellers, such as online marketing techniques, how to do mergers with independent real estate offices, public relations practical cases, and how to promote international referrals.

Considering the current economic conditions, most experts agree that this is the perfect time to buy real estate; this opportunity will not present itself again in several decades. Visit www.remax-caribbeanislands.com to learn about real estate opportunities in the Caribbean and Central America.

RE/MAX claims stake in Colombia and Morocco

RE/MAX International, Inc., recently welcomed the countries of Colombia and Morocco to its growing global franchise network which now boasts offices in more than 70 countries.

“These are exciting times for RE/MAX International and for these new Region Owners,” said William Soteroff, Senior Vice President of International Development at RE/MAX International. “Both RE/MAX Colombia and RE/MAX Morocco have the potential to bring a new professionalism to the real estate industry and provide added value to homebuyers and sellers in Morocco and Colombia.”

New franchise owners, Soufiane Elaamili with Franchise Sales Manager, Mehdi Belaabas from Morocco, and franchise owners Francisco Paillie and Nestor Arenas from Colombia, were at RE/MAX International headquarters in Denver last week for the formal signing.

RE/MAX Morocco will be headquartered in Casablanca and Elaamili and Belaabas hope to rapidly open offices while building a network of trained, professional real estate agents.

RE/MAX Colombia franchise owners, Francisco Paillie, Nestor Arenas, and Juan Felipe Vanegas, also plan to open a host of new offices in and around their headquarters in Bogota and know the RE/MAX brand name will be an added asset in recruiting experienced agents. “Homebuyers and sellers in Colombia will appreciate working with RE/MAX real estate agents because they are trained professionals who know the local market and have extensive experience,” said Francisco Paillie.