Your Real Estate Brokerage Tomorrow
By Melanie Robitaille, Sr. Staff Writer & Graphic Designer
Opening a real estate brokerage is saying yes to opportunity, but no owner ever really knows what the future holds, let alone where their operation will be in 20+ years. It’s a feeling many franchisees, like those at EXIT Realty Inter Lake, can attest to.
“We really had no idea how big we’d become and what success we would have,” recalled Franchisee, Mark Seamone, of their humble operation that’s grown from three to 30 agents in Bridgewater and Liverpool, Nova Scotia.
After converting from a small independent and moving to a new market where no one had heard of EXIT before, this 23-year-old office has seen much growth and evolution over the years. Time would take all but one of the three who originally established the office, and Jon Walker, the owner at the time, would eventually partner with a young, new sales representative and professional hockey player, Mark Seamone.
“When we attended broker training early in 1998, we saw that what we bought into was much bigger than we ever dreamed. Whenever we have an opportunity to be with EXIT people, we take it,” Jon explained. “We learn from one another, and the synergy just rubs off. From there, growing our brokerage has been a whirlwind of activity. It took on a life of its own.”
In its time EXIT Realty Inter Lake has helped turn EXIT into a household name on the East Coast. It grew into the two locations they operate today and continues to hold #1 marketshare in its areas. It was the first office to celebrate its 20-year milestone with the brand, and it has threaded itself into the lives of those in the community through incredible charitable efforts and outreach.
The company’s success comes from its ability to keep pivoting with the times. Continually transforming, it has undergone another changing of the guard recently after Jon, wanting a change of pace, stepped back from ownership responsibilities and handed the reigns to Mark. Naturally, Mark chose a new ownership partner in Kristopher Snarby, another one of the office’s long-time agents.
“Our continual #1 marketshare in our region speaks volumes of the hard work that our agents continue to put forth in their careers year after year. They’re always learning new things and growing as individuals, which also allows us to modernize, adapt and grow as a company,” Kristopher proudly shared of their perpetual expansion. “Since we started, we’ve outgrown three different office spaces in Bridgewater and two different offices in Liverpool. Our most recent move in Bridgewater was to a modern building which is highly efficient, has great visibility, and is a professional space our agents are proud to show off to their clients.”
There’s pride of ownership, but many EXIT franchisees would agree with Mark and Kristopher that you gain so much more when you open the doors to EXIT. Not only do you join a proudly Canadian company, with a network of owners across North America who are there to help and support you, but you also have access to top leadership throughout the continent that genuinely invests back in you.
True to the EXIT model, Mark has sustained an investment in his agents that the office has always upheld, saying, “With all of EXIT’s available training and pass-me-down wisdom, we’ve watched and been part of the growth of many young men and women who start their careers at a young age, to develop into full and prosperous professionals. We take pride in their success and continue to try to support them to be the best that they can be. It’s rewarding to watch them evolve and be so successful.”
Mark and Kristopher now look toward the unknown future with hope, just as Jon did years ago, because “like any business, change happens,” Mark mused, “but the foundation of this company has stayed true to its roots and the possibilities are endless!”
