The Australian arm of global real estate franchise RE/MAX has bolstered its executive team in preparation for network expansion, announcing the appointment of Dene Tucker to the role of business growth consultant.

The latest appointment signals RE/MAX’s intent to boost its current network, with the brand looking to take advantage of Tucker’s long history of success in real estate franchising, franchise ownership auctioneering, sales and training.

“I am very impressed with the culture and camaraderie within RE/MAX, and the leadership team behind RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand; and I am excited by the opportunity to further my commitment through the business growth consultant role,” Tucker said.

“Growth is a fundamentally important part of business, when the network grows, the business of every franchise and every agent grows. Growth helps all.”

As part of RE/MAX’s growth strategy for 2019, Tucker will play an instrumental role in new agent recruitment, as well as continuing his work with existing business owners throughout Queensland.

The Sunshine State has proven to be a valuable growth region for Tucker, who in the last 12 months has engaged in 15 auction and sales training sessions, to complement multiple Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand programs.

“This year’s books are already filling so it looks like an even busier year, with both corporate-initiated and in-office sessions,” Tucker said.

The new business growth consultant confirmed that auctions will continue to feature prominently in the RE/MAX development strategy, having seen a major increase since the service was introduced in February last year.

Tucker said that auction numbers had improved on a month-by-month basis, with clearance rates well over 60 per cent a month.

“However, that figure only reflects what happened on the day of auction, not prior sales or after,” he said.

“I prefer to look at a measure of six weeks – the four-week program plus two weeks after. Using two offices as an example, one produced 78 per cent sales by auction with only 46 per cent by private treaty and another had 100 per cent sale by auction and, coincidentally, also 46 per cent by private treaty. It’s clear that auction id a successful method of sale.”

Joel Davoren, RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand director said that Tucker’s promotion would increase franchisee support and further the business in its ongoing franchise expansion efforts.

“We are excited to bring Dene closer in to the RE/MAX community,” Davoren said.

“As directors, we looked at how a new role on the corporate would most benefit our franchise business and the businesses of our members, and the appointment of Dene to such a role just made perfect sense.”