Do More & Be More with EXIT

BY MELANIE ROBITAILLE, SR. STAFF WRITER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Shifts happen, which is a constant in real estate, and they’re at an all-time high in the industry right now. Just as real estate clients hope for as seamless a move as possible, why would a brokerage owner or agent looking to make a switch be any different?

Not all transitions are created equally as Franchisee, Danny Collins of EXIT Realty DKC in New York knows, recalling when he brought his independent operation under the EXIT banner in 2023. He was quite impressed with the personal attention and processes that made the whole switch much easier and meant greater gains for his office, agents, and staff.

Franchisee, Danny Collins

“One of the many benefits of working with EXIT is their regional owners. Ours is Hector Castillo. He was tremendously helpful as well as patient with us through the process. He offered incredible support and kept us calm through the transition,” he said of the five-month process. “All [EXIT] departments helped us! We worked with everyone from Manager, Derek Stephenson in Franchise Support, C.O.O., Erika Gileo in Operations, and even Director of Technology Engagement, Annette Anthony to get our digital products up and running.”

Reputable and Repeatable

Danny’s faith in the EXIT brand is one of the main reasons why he’s told every top producer in his office that’s interested in ownership to have a chat with him first. After going through this transition himself, he’s confident in his knowledge and experience, and knows that replicating or sharing what EXIT brings to the table would be of benefit to so many others looking for a greater level of connection in the industry.

“We’ve currently reached out to smaller organizations for a potential merger or acquisition. Our team has discussed how we would proceed with folding an entire new office into our own. One of the first things we would do is get the new team members sold on the EXIT brand, Formula and the DKC culture,” he explained.

EXIT is primed for providing brokers with relief and agents with a proven track to run on. Part of Danny’s plan would be to handle all the training/re-training of new agents using EXIT’s extensive programs and his own experience, as well as introducing everyone to EXIT’s Resource Center, where they can access further training as well as tools like Agent Success Plans and EXIT’s FUEL office onboarding program.

When we joined EXIT our production per agent increased as soon as we began engaging with the tools.

With EXIT’s competitive and progressive split structure, no desk fees, and their entrepreneurial business model, EXIT associates can not only bring home more of what they earn, but they have the potential to earn more than at any other brand by generating supplemental income through Sponsoring.

“There are no gimmicks here, this is real money, not profit sharing, or building a team they have to support and grow, just simple introductions to the company,” he explained. “We have some perfect examples in our office. There’s a young man who transitioned with us that was so excited we were going with EXIT. The last couple of years he’s hit 90/10 by April of the year, and he’s also sponsored six other productive agents into our office that he didn’t have to train. There’s another young lady who sponsored her friend into our office, who closed a $1 million deal in her first 90 days, so as a sponsor, she received a $6,000 thank you bonus check from corporate for sponsoring in the new agent. EXIT has the tools, the tech, and the culture of excellence for anyone who wants to grow rich!”

A Rare Brand

With core values like Diligence, Knowledge and Character built right into his company’s name, it’s obvious that Danny’s vision and high professional standards go beyond that of financial gains, aligning perfectly with EXIT’s value blueprint. The brand isn’t for everybody, because he says not everybody is in real estate for the right reasons, but he knows there must be something more.

“The shifts I see in loyalty in the industry as of late are a lot of what I call office hopping to the highest bidder; agents who are switching offices to any new company offering more commission or the appearance of more. There are so many companies out there with all kinds of new formulas. Most aren’t in the industry for long term success, but to make a quick buck, so they find the companies that take more than they give back.”

Danny has no interest in these “hoppers.” He sees the EXIT loyalty first-hand in the corporate staff, a majority of whom have been with the brand for over 20 years. He knows how EXIT offers much more to owners and agents through retirement and beneficiary benefits, and their Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program that hit on such a deeper, human level.

“Once you’re involved with EXIT you know you’re dealing with people, not a company. And not just any people, but ones who care, who are always asking, ‘How can we be better?’ You’re not being processed, you’re being helped, and there’s a difference,” he admitted.

Real Solutions

With EXIT you don’t need to imagine an easy-to-follow transition with step-by-step onboarding guides, proprietary and integrated technologies for everything from marketing resources and interoffice communications to task management. You get it! And with a dedicated support team to help answer questions and train your administrative staff, whether you’re new to ownership or bring years of experience and customers with you.

After thinking he liked the solo, independent road, Danny admitted it’s good to know that feeling of being able to call someone when you need to, even if it took some getting used to.

“The most surprising aspect that I didn’t expect was transitioning to the structure of things. When you’re an independent broker you have no accountability to anyone,” he said. And what he once found challenging, he now sees as a blessing because he recognized that without accountability you’ll always do less. “You’ll always be more and do more with others, especially with those traveling in the same direction as you.”