The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Had a
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For REMAX Direct
A big red, white, and blue RE/MAX “Grand Opening” Balloon was well inflated and lit up Thursday night, November 8, 2012, on the grounds of the Mall at Wellington Green. REMAX Direct just opened up their new office located at 10240 Forest Hill Boulevard and it was an evening full of people with smiles, live saxophone music, and plenty of food and drink.
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Entering into this new REMAX Direct office, one steps into a refreshing, modern, airy, open environment unlike most real estate offices. Floors are wood; walls are white; the furniture is modern as is the lighting. There is a general flow of positive energy in the air. There are cozy booths to do business in and chat. The conference room is divided with glass walls and doors; the table is made of concrete which is unique and fits in well with the decor. Computer access is everywhere. The office has a feel of high tech combined with simple, neat, and modern. This location of REMAX Direct is owned and operated by Brian Russo and Andrew Burrow who own other locations as well.
Brian Russo was born in Queens, New York and raised on Long Island. He went to college in Rhode Island and earned a Business Finance Degree in 1993. Soon after he moved to Palm Beach County, he started buying and investing in real estate. He was buying single family and multi-unit properties. This worked well for him so he decided to get more involved in the real estate industry.
Brian spoke with a good friend who was a real estate broker and decided to open up his first REMAX Direct location in Boynton Beach in 2001. In 2003, he opened another office in Lake Worth. Both offices became successful very quickly so in 2004 he purchased another four REMAX Direct offices which were already operational. Shortly after, he added on a seventh office in Delray Beach. “Then the market changed and it turned on us so we quickly went from expansion to cost cutting consolidation.” Brian said he told his partner Andrew Burrow; “We need a fresh start.” So he and Andrew developed a new concept for their office that would include more location visibility, more light, and more openness. They also wanted to move the activity up to the front of the office so clients could feel the energy and get excited.
Andrew Burrow was born in South Florida. He grew up in Coral Springs and Parkland and then graduated from the University of Florida in 1999 with a Business Degree. He got his real estate license in Gainesville before he moved back to South Florida where he had a job lined up in real estate. He said, “I loved it. I was always interested in architecture, houses, and looking at houses.” So in 2002 he went to work for Brian at REMAX Direct. After 9 years they became partners in 2012. Today, Andrew and Brian have two offices open and 2 in the process of being opened.
Regarding the new location Andrew said “We modeled this office after the Apple Store – clean, simple, modern, open and inviting. We want our agents to meet clients here instead of at Starbucks. We provide the coffees, espressos, and the atmosphere along with the technology to showcase our business. ”
Brain noted that in the past, clients would sit with agents for hours. They would research properties with their clients in an old conference room, determine which ones they wanted to look at, make appointments to visit properties, then go out and physically look at them. He stated, “Today the flow of information has increased and has become less time consuming. Now buyers are very informed about the inventory that’s out there that is specific to their needs and desires before they come into the office. They are on their computers at home researching the properties and they have a real good grasp of where they want to be. We used to have an interview process between the agent and the client that used to last a couple of hours. This has now shortened down to 10 – 15 minutes.”
Brain added “Most of our agents are doing business on their iPads and signing documents on DocuSign. Clients and agents are no longer inundated with mounds of paperwork and we are now a paperless office. Technology speeds things up and makes everything more efficient which makes things easier for agents and clients.”
Both Andrew and Brian noted that REMAX Direct is the #1 real estate company in the world and has the most brand recognition. Brain said, “It is the #1 company regarding online presence and all other media. They have the best resources available regarding technology, knowledge of the business and support. REMAX will provide the most advertising of your property.”
For more information about REMAX Direct contact Brian Russo at 561.880.2660 or 561.702.8870. Email him at BRusso@HomesByDirect.com and visit the website at www.Direct.Florida.Remax.com. Also check out The Wellington Chamber of Commerce website at http://WellingtonChamber.com for all types of business and community information.
Press Release From: The Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Regarding: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for REMAX Direct
Date: November 19, 2012
Written By: Monica Kallas – SharpShooter Marketing Group
Photograph By: Monica Kallas – SharpShooter Marketing Group