difference
T H E G R O U P D I F F E R E NC E
vision V I S I ON
The Group Real Estate, Helping People, Making Money, Having Fun The Group was formed in 1976 with the commitment to become a place where the most dedicated real estate people would be invited to work. People with a true passion for real estate and a dedication to “Mastery.” People with a total commitment to their customers and their community. People who work together as a team of owners. People prepared to weather any real estate season – good or bad. These ‘leaders in real estate’ have soared with the good times and navigated through challenges to help their customers achieve their goals in all kinds of markets.
A Reputation for Success Based on our full commitment to being the best and working with the best, we have built a reputation for success with the results to back it up: Leading company based on market share in Northern Colorado since 1976. Ranked as one of the most productive real estate company in the country (based on number of transaction sides per sales associate as calculated by RealTrends). $1,085,011,830 volume sold in 2012.
“Being at The Group has given me opportunities that I may not have had at other companies in my case several builder accounts.�
4,199 transaction sides in Larimer/Weld County in 2012. Average Gross Commission Income of over $168,000 in 2012. Over 26 transaction sides per sales associate in 2012. Involved in the listing and/or selling brokerage in 33% of all residential transactions in 2012.
teamwork
T EA M W O R K
A Strong Corporate Culture At The Group, our business is built on relationships and trust. We value our relationships with our customers and each other: We believe in the philosophy of “Mastery� - producing extraordinary results. We believe integrity (doing what we promise) is the key to building trust and relationships with our customers and with each other. We believe in putting our customers first. We believe in continual improvement of ourselves and our company through education and personal growth. We believe in an environment of mutual respect. We believe in supporting our communities both financially and as active volunteers. We believe in having fun!
MASTERY in one’s career and consciousness growth simply requires that we constantly produce results beyond and out of the ordinary. Mastery is a product of consistently going beyond our limits. For most people, it starts with technical excellence in a chosen field and a commitment to that excellence. If you are willing to commit yourself to excellence, to surround yourself with things that represent this and miracles, your life will change. (When we speak of miracles, we speak of events or experiences in the real world which are beyond the ordinary.) It’s remarkable how much mediocrity we live with, surrounding ourselves with daily reminders that the average is the acceptable. Our world suffers from terminal normality. Take a moment to assess all the things around you that promote your being “average”. These are the things that keep you powerless to go beyond a “limit” you arbitrarily set for yourself. The first step to mastery is the removal of everything in your environment that represents mediocrity, removing those things that are limiting. One way is to surround yourself with friends who ask more of you than you do. Didn’t some of your best teachers, coaches, parents, etc.? Another step on the path to mastery is the removal of resentment toward masters. Develop compassion for yourself so that you can be in the presence of masters and grow from the experience. Rather than comparing yourself and resenting people who have mastery, remain open and receptive; let the experience be like the planting of a seed within you that, with nourishment, will grow into your own individual mastery. You see, we are all ordinary. But a master, rather than condemning himself for his “ordinariness”, will embrace it and use it as a foundation for building the extraordinary. Rather than using it as an excuse for inactivity, he will use it as a vehicle for correcting, which is essential in the process of attaining mastery. You must be able to correct yourself without invalidating or condemning yourself, to accept results and improve upon them. Correct, don’t protect. Correction is essential to power and mastery. Stewart Emery
mastery M A S TE RY
Supporting Our Communities We believe that Northern Colorado is the very best place to live and do business. We take our responsibility to our communities seriously. Our belief in service extends to all facets of the community – from education to politics, youth to elderly, sports to arts, non-profit to for-profit, you will find Groupies volunteering countless hours and generously giving their financial resources. Sponsorships for the coming year include major support for the United Way of Larimer and Weld Counties, Loveland’s Sculpture in the Park, Respite Care of Larimer County, and Colorado State University Athletic Department including Ram Jam. Our scholarship programs provide two or more full-tuition scholarships for students in the Colorado State University College of Business.
“It took me 15 years to finally get here and I am so happy that I made it. I love the professionalism and that we all have the same goals.”
Financial support is given to the following organizations as well as many others: The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra Poudre Valley Hospital Colorado State University College of Business University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of Business Larimer County Partners Multiple Sclerosis Society Christmas on Wheels Alzheimer’s Association Project Self-Sufficiency Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer and Weld Counties Women’s Center Hospice of Larimer County Hope Lives Breast Cancer Foundation Chambers of Commerce Economic Development Councils
ow
OWNE R S H IP
wnership
Our People The strength of The Group is our people. As a locally employee owned company, we are able to make decisions quickly about our company. We work as a team and provide constant support to one another in meeting our targets, goals, and dreams. The Group employs a dedicated and experienced staff to assist Group Sales Partners with all facets of the real estate transaction. Each office has a non-selling broker/manager. The manager’s primary role is to help put transactions together, answer brokerage questions, resolve conflicts, and provide coaching. Receptionists, assistants, escrow officers, marketing personnel, graphic designers, couriers, and photographers are working to support you through prospecting, listing, marketing, contracting, and ultimately closing transactions.
“The Group is an amazing company that has changed my life. The resources and assistance we have is unbelievable while the staff and services we have in place have helped my business run like clockwork so I can concentrate on what’s important… the customer!”
Sales Partner Services
Ownership opportunity Full-time, non-selling, non-competing manager in your office Private office with access to facilities in our five locations Visual Pricing systems Highly trained assistant On-site escrow services
synergy
S YNERGY
Short sale transaction coordinator SureCloseÂŽ transaction management Full-time marketing staff including graphic designer Full-time relocation director Courier services Sign and lock-box installation Photography services
Weekly sales meeting and education session
Positively charged environment
Weekly office meeting
Personal website service and support
Ninja Selling training
Corporate marketing materials
Monthly newsletter
Monthly e-newsletter
Investment seminars
Listing flyers
Market statistics and reports
State-of-the-art print advertising – The Real Estate Source
New home sales division Local decision making
Open house advertising
leaders
L EA DE R S
Technology The Group’s corporate website, www.thegroupinc.com, provides a comprehensive online presence. State-of-the-art search tools, mapping, individual property website and virtual tours for every listing, and up-to-date, detailed listing information give the visitor an abundance of information at their fingertips 24/7. A free app has been created for Droid, iPhone and iPad, too. Affordable personal websites are available for our sales partners that incorporate the same functionality as the corporate site. Support for those personal sites is also provided, making it an easy way for Group Sales Partners to have a professional online presence. All Group listings are enhanced on www.realtor.com, providing the maximum exposure for our listings on the ‘most visited’ Northern Colorado real estate website. All Group listings are posted to YouTube.com Group Sales Partners also have access to technical support for personal computers and smart phones. All Group transactions are processed using SureClose®, a paperless platform that provides centralized communication for all parties to the transaction. SureClose® gives you access to your transaction file from any location and the ability to be in contact with the customer, the lender and the title company. All closing documents are available online so questions can be resolved prior to closing and your customer will have access to the documents for four years after closing. All offices have two state-of-the-art color copiers/scanners for use by all sales associates.
New Home Marketing The Group proudly represents a large number of builders in Northern Colorado. Group Sales Partners working with new construction gather to discuss the market, share information, and find ways to increase traffic and provide the very best service to our builders. An Internet presence is created and maintained for each new home neighborhood on The Group’s corporate website with services available to create basic websites for neighborhoods, if needed. Our Marketing Department provides graphic design services to our builder clients and assistance in creating collateral materials to promote their product and neighborhoods. We will work with you to establish an advertising and marketing budget for your new home neighborhood. Our accounting department will pay your marketing expenses and supply you with a monthly report to help keep you on track. The Group will help Sales Partners by paying up-front and ongoing marketing costs with repayment collected from subsequent closings. Monthly new construction roundtable meetings are held to share information and ideas for education.
“Let’s face it, I do not want to run a business when it concerns management, personnel, rents, building insurance, worker’s compensation, etc. The Group allows me to do what I do best, and that’s being with the people. Everything I need is at my finger tips, from signs to brochures to contract management, in an extremely professional environment. All I need to do is service the customer and sell homes, The Group does the rest.”
“Our behindthe-scene teams make us look awesome. A lot of deep smarts within the company and the continuing education sessions help me keep up with all that’s happening in our industry.”
Our Ownership Concept and Business Model The Group provides the opportunity for ownership – truly unique in this industry. Our company is owned by its sales partners and staff. A minimum of 500 shares of stock must be owned by each Sales Partner with a maximum available to each Partner of 9,250 shares. Shares can be purchased outright or purchased as closings occur. Group stock has a 20 year annual return on investment of 18.9% and a cash distribution over those 10 years of over $45,000. The current value of our stock is $10.50/share. Each sales partner pays their “Fairshare” for the services provided by the company. This system enhances the philosophy of “the team’ and supports our model of equal ownership. The real estate business requires an investment to yield success. The Group has identified the Management Services, Basic Office Services and Premium Services required to operate the most professional and high productive real estate business for each Sales Partner. We believe you should run your business like a business!
“The Group is not only the best company to be with from an income standpoint; it also has a rich culture of caring, helpful Partners with deep smarts all working together and helping one another to achieve the ultimate outcome.”
Education and Sales Training Weekly sales meetings and office meetings are dedicated to promoting our listings, improving sales skills, and keeping on top of our ever changing market and business trends. These highenergy sessions are action packed and help keep you focused on your business. The Group University offers weekly education in the following areas: • Sales skills and tools • Technology skills • Life skills • Builder services roundtable
The Ninja Selling sales system, created at The Group is nationally recognized. Every Group Sales Partner can attend all Ninja Selling courses and retreats taught in Fort Collins and our office systems are designed to support the Ninja philosophy. Ninja Selling is a system based on a philosophy of building relationships, listening to the customer, and then helping them achieve their goals. It is less about selling and more about helping people buy. The mission of Ninja Selling is: • Increase your income per hour • Increase your customer satisfaction • Improve the quality of your life.
“The Group attracts people who believe in abundance rather than scarcity. As a result, people are willing to share their best ideas and give one another support. We have a culture of ‘one for all and all for one.’”
The Perfect Transaction Our mission since 1976 has been to “Help people get where they want to go on time – make it easier, make it faster, and be their source of real estate knowledge.” By combining our brokerage services with mortgage, title, and insurance, we are able to complete a real estate transaction guaranteeing our customers will receive the highest level of service.
Our Affiliated Business Partners are readily accessible to make it easier, faster, and seamless for our customers. They are industry leaders, Bank of America, Stewart Title, and Allstate Insurance with broad experience and excellent reputations. These partnerships bring to our customers a high level of convenience and accountability to the real estate transaction.
Horsetooth Office 375 E. Horsetooth Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 970.223.0700
Mulberry Office 401 W. Mulberry Street Fort Collins, CO 80521 970.221.0700
Centerra Office in Loveland 5401 Stone Creek Circle Loveland, CO 80538 970.613.0700
www.thegroupinc.com
Copyright © 2013 The Group, Inc. Real Estate
Loveland Office 1401 W. 29th Street Loveland, CO 80538 970.663.0700
Cover Photo: Lone Aspen © David L. Clack Colorado Photographics, Inc. www.coloradophotographics.com
Harmony Office 2803 E. Harmony Road Fort Collins, CO 80528 970.229.0700