The firm’s past, present, and future were the main focus of Tuesday morning’s opening general session at the R4 conference. Gail Liniger, Dave Liniger, and Nick Bailey, current RE/MAX president, took to the stage in Las Vegas.
The 50th anniversary of RE/MAX was a reason for the R4 conference to be so poignant. Dave Liniger, a representative of RE/MAX, took the more than 9,000 attendees from 74 countries and territories on a nostalgic walk down memory lane.
“Re/MAX held its first Las Vegas convention almost 50 years ago. Liniger stated that it was a dump called Thunderbird Inn. Liniger said that there were 50 rooms and one meeting room. We have 26 people in the Thunderbird Inn. The Thunderbird Inn was built, I believe, on this land. After that, they tore it down and built this huge place. We have come a long way in 50 years.
Liniger continued to talk about the history of his company and how his time in U.S. Air Force helped to develop the leadership skills that he relies upon to be successful in real estate.
He also spoke about his first hire, Gail Main. Main helped Liniger turn around the young company after it was nearly destroyed by mounting debt. After Dave Liniger’s death, Gail Main became Gail Liniger almost ten years later.
Liniger described his wife as “the real deal”. Liniger described his wife as “charismatic, hard-working and stubborn, but confident, optimistic, and a perfect partner.”
Liniger spoke out about the history of RE/MAX and the current housing market conditions that his company and agents are currently facing. Liniger compared the current uncertainty to the market volatility that he and RE/MAX experienced during the 1970s when they started the firm.
“They often quoted Darwin that the strongest survives. Dave Liniger stated that this is false and not what Darwin said. “It is not always the strongest that survive. The dinosaurs were the strongest of all the creatures, and they are gone. But hundreds of years later, mosquitoes are still around. Although we have always talked about the quality and professionalism of our agents, in reality it is the adaptability of the best brokers, and the best agents that makes this system function.
Dave Liniger closed his remarks by reminding attendees “cycles will be coming, and cycles will move” and that they are “unstoppable.” Bailey then ziplined his way to the front of the venue in a skydiving suit with RE/MAX branding and signature colors.
While Dave Liniger spoke about the past and future of RE/MAX in his remarks, Bailey focused on the future of RE/MAX and the housing market.
“People have many questions [about this market]. We need to be able to control what we can and not what we can’t. Can we control inflation, interest rates, the Fed’s [Federal Reserve] and the economy with the market? Bailey asked the crowd: “But isn’t that what we all worry about?” “We need to be able to control what we can in our businesses, and not worry about what is beyond our control.”
Bailey stated that despite the current market headwinds, such as a volatile mortgage rate environment and low inventory, Bailey is optimistic that the market will continue to thrive.
Bailey stated that Bailey was clear on two points. “People will buy and sell homes in 2023. Experienced agents will have the advantage. When will the market rebound? I am often asked this question. But, a crash can prevent a market from rebounding. We haven’t had any crash, we’ve just started to rebalance, putting sellers and buyers on a more equal footing. That’s good news for everyone. The question is not whether people will buy or sell houses in 2023. It is about which agents they will be able to help them.
Bailey stated that consumers expect three things from real estate agents: trustworthiness, knowledge, and experience. Bailey advised agents to build and drive connections in order to cultivate these qualities.
“There was the frenzy on the market. Bailey. “Our spheres were ignored. Top producers make over 90% of their business from repeats and referrals. You can’t ignore the business that is already in your sphere.
Bailey encouraged agents to use technology to better serve their clients as they work towards this goal.
Bailey stated, “We’re going look at tech and fill out the gaps of what makes your more efficient as a agent — and what helps drive buyer and seller experiences.” Get your smart tech humming. It will bring business to your company if it is humming.
Bailey’s closing remarks echoed the sentiments of Dave Liniger.
“I want you leave R4 with confidence in housing market, confidence knowing you are the most trusted and knowledgeable agents in this business’ history and that you are always in the right place at exactly the right time. Bailey concluded, “You’re unstoppable.”

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Dave Liniger
Las Vegas
nick Bailey
re/max