Steve Simonetti entered the real estate industry after being inspired by his father’s journey in as a real estate agent and in purchasing investment properties. Over five decades later, Simonetti is still at it, but recently he has taken on a new role as franchisee.
In October, Simonetti, a longtime REMAX agent and broker, opened his own REMAX franchise in Redondo Beach, Calif., REMAX NEXUS. The opportunity to open a REMAX franchise arose after the REMAX firm he had been affiliated with for over three decades decided to rebrand, paving the way for someone else to take up the REMAX mantle in the area.
While this is Simonetti’s first time as a REMAX franchisee, it is not his first experience as a broker-owner. In the early days of his career, Simonetti decided to venture out on his own, opening his own boutique brokerage.
“I was working at a smaller company and I learned the nuances and how to do things from the broker-owner, but then I decided that I could do it on my own so I went out and started Simonetti & Associates, and I managed to get a few agents under my wing,” he said.
While Simonetti was pleased with the trajectory of his career, it was during a transaction that involved a REMAX agent representing the buyer that he first became interested in the brand.
“She was amazing,” Simonetti said of the REMAX buyer’s agent. “I saw all the tools she brought to the table, her professionalism, her network and I felt like I was so far behind. So, I did some research and met with my two local REMAX brokerages and was just so impressed with them both.”
Within just a few months at REMAX, Simonetti said he was exposed to things he had never seen or thought of before during his time at smaller brokerages.
It is the same culture of growth and support he experienced when he first joined REMAX that he wants to cultivate at REMAX NEXUS.
“Over the years, I’ve seen the average age of Realtors getting older, and I don’t feel like we are doing enough to attract younger agents,” Simonetti said. “I’ve noticed with REMAX and some of the newer corporate leaders that they really understand that the future comes from the newer agents and we have to invest in that. REMAX was never considered a training company, it was where established agents went, but I think we are now pushing in a different direction, and I think that shows an understanding of the future.”
Simonetti said he is also excited to see the successful, experienced agents work alongside newer agents, teaching them the tricks of the trade and passing down the lessons and knowledge they have learned over the course of their careers.
Looking ahead, Simonetti said he is focused on building the firm and attracting more agents.
“I look at my job as broker-owner as reestablishing the REMAX name in the area, making sure people know we didn’t leave and bringing in top agents as well as newer agents looking to learn from the best,” Simonetti said.
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