RE/MAX First and RE/MAX Realty Group Merge

Rochester’s largest ReMax real estate franchise merged Wednesday with the third largest area ReMax franchise.

ReMax Realty Group inked a deal with ReMax First of Greater Rochester, creating an agency with up to 150 agents.

The new office will retain the ReMax Realty Group brand, with the ReMax First office on Allens Creek Road in Brighton closing to move into ReMax Realty Group’s Pittsford office. The combined ReMax agency will retain its westside office in Greece.

“Our goal is to be the No. 1 ReMax in the market,” said Michael Haymes, president of ReMax Realty Group, who will now share the managing broker title with his current partner Jeffrey Hoffman and with Tom Schnorr, former president of ReMax First.

The agencies had always been friendly competitors, Schnorr said, noting that the three managing brokers started in business at the same time in the early 1980s. The merger made sense as more realty firms are using economies of scale to their advantage, Schnorr said.

Combined, the two agencies would have had $445 million in sales in 2011.

Real estate agents are independent contractors, but Schnorr said his agents were positive about the move.

The merger will provide agents and customers with better technology, he said. There will be 17 support staffers, including IT support, social media experts and creative development staff.

The two ReMax Realty Group locations under the merger are at Grove Street in Pittsford and Canal Landing Boulevard in Greece.

ReMax Realty Group has been the No.1 ReMax franchise in the state, Haymes said. The merger places the agency in the top one percent of ReMax franchises internationally, Schnorr said.

Written by MARY CHAO Democrat and Chornicle