Anita Middleton has joined Kris Hagena on the ownership team at RE/MAX VIP, having left a career in retail management 18 months ago to join Ms Hagena’s real estate team.
Ms Hagena said forming a co-ownership provided a perfect opportunity for both of them to bring their strengths to the fore in ensuring the growth of the business.
“I’d say it was a ‘no-brainer’. While we may be different, it was obvious we complement each other so very well.
“Anita, with her business background, is invaluable to the financial side of the business, while I can focus on business development and agent training.”
For Mrs Middleton, the move from agent to broker-owner was a natural progression.
“With my professional background, and loving my new career, I knew stepping into the broker-owner role was right for me.
“I wanted to be part of taking this business forward in a way that I couldn’t do as an agent, and through ownership I saw I could really succeed in serving this community through real estate,” she said.
Both broker-owners will remain hands-on in sales.
Mrs Middleton trained in-house at RE/MAX VIP in order to gain her real estate licence.
“I think that was the cementing of the relationship from the get-go,” Ms Hagena said, “and I truly believe our in-house training gives agents a better start in their career than trying to study on their own and online.
“Here they are immersed in the industry while they are ‘in training’.”
Mrs Middleton’s husband, Ian, has joined the RE/MAX VIP team and is currently in training to achieve licensing.
Ms Hagena said she was now able to give greater focus to business growth and development, which includes expansion.
“We have other locations in our sights, and anticipate three additional offices to open over the next five years.”
