I Had No Choice but to Start ROOST™

My Franchise Experience

I have been a real estate agent since February 2001. I opened my first RE/MAX franchise in early 2003. I closed my RE/MAX offices and filed bankruptcy after the crash in 2009. I spent a few years running my office in association with a local firm and began researching franchises again in late 2012. I soon figured out that another franchise relationship was not going to work for me.

My Non-Negotiables

Not a single franchisor I interviewed shared my bedrock personal and business values.  My ‘non-negotiables’ include:

• Working by referral.
• Providing more value than I am often initially paid for.
• Support for continuously expanding my skills and capabilities.
• The belief that relationships are infinitely more valuable than transactions.
• The joy of consistent processes and doing the work of serving my clients.
• The intentional application of my unique talents and abilities, and those of everyone I work with.

These ‘non-negotiables’, or ‘mindsets’ if you will, have been the foundation of all of my successes. The times in my life when things have gone off the rails are the times when I lost focus on who I am and what I believe at my core.  

I Created the Company I Wanted to Work for

I did not grow up dreaming of becoming a real estate broker. Becoming an entrepreneur at all was never on my radar until I turned 40 years old. However, the real estate business has provided me a tremendous opportunity to do what I do best and make a positive difference in the lives of my clients and my team.

My goal became to create a real estate company that I wanted to work for. I wanted to create a company that reflected my values and aspirations. I have been on this journey going on five years now, long enough to know I am on the right track. I consider ROOST Real Estate Co, and Lucky Town Real Estate Co. to be my life’s work.

If Not Me – Then Who?

Some might argue that it is presumptuous of me to think that after only five years that I have anything to say that will be of value to my peers. I look at it that we all have to start somewhere and while my story may not gain universal acclaim or acceptance, I know there are people out there that share my sensibilities. Most importantly, I know there are hundreds if not thousands of broker owners in our industry looking for a better way.  

Care to Learn More?

-Chris McAllister, Founder & President, ROOST Real Estate Co.™