By Deborah Ball Kearns, RE/MAX Times Online Associate Editor

Tom Sloyan built his career at RE/MAX over the past 20 years, creating a successful business and a strong referral base.

So when the owners of his office decided to convert to Keller Williams in July, Sloyan didn't think twice about what his next steps would be.

"I did some checking on the new office and decided I wanted to soar with the eagles and not hang with the turkeys," says the Hall of Fame member. He joined RE/MAX Excalibur Realty in Tucson, Ariz., within days of the conversion announcement. "I did business out of the back of my Tahoe for two weeks before I could get into my new office, but it was worth it. It's refreshing to be in a RE/MAX office again where there's a positive atmosphere of true winners."

Sloyan wasn't alone in his decision; about 20 top producers from his old office of nearly 50 agents relocated to RE/MAX Excalibur and other RE/MAX offices in the area, he says.

One of those agents, Susan Herlong, has been with RE/MAX since 1993. She wasn't about to let go of the referral relationships she has built up during her career. The global brand-name recognition, professionalism, and support and resources offered by her new Broker/Owner, Howard Lein, made the decision to stay easy.

"They tried to sell us on moving to Keller Williams on its agent growth, but that model isn't tailored for experienced top producers," says Herlong, a Hall of Fame and 100 Percent Club member. "The amenities and systems that Howard offers to us, such as the top-class office, technology, paperless software programs, coaching and sales rallies, are second to none. My name and RE/MAX are synonymous in my market; there's no way I was going to lose that."

Lein, who recruited 13 of the 20 top agents, says he concentrated on only the top producers. Broker/Owners might be tempted to recruit the entire agent base of a closed office, but that's not always the wisest move, Lein says.

"Only 20 of the agents from that office received a recruiting phone call from us because the others simply didn't have a track record of success," Lein says. "We show agents how to thrive – not just survive – and we have added rock-solid, supportive agents who love the brand. Broker/Owners who are looking to recruit new agents shouldn't waste time on the non-productive ones; concentrate, instead, on the winners."

The transition to the new office has given agents like Herlong and Sloyan more motivation and a renewed sense of purpose as they look ahead. Herlong is in the process of closing four transactions with more in the pipeline.

"When you join a new company and have a supportive Broker/Owner guiding you, it's like a fresh start," Herlong says. "I feel excited all over again to see the boost in my marketing, my business and to have access to new resources. I believe in the RE/MAX system, the compensation, the referrals and the brand; I'll never go anywhere else."