RE/MAX Cayman Islands is proud to announce the celebration of its 25th Anniversary in 2017.
“When Kim Lund decided to introduce RE/MAX to the Cayman Islands 25 years ago, we had no doubt he’d succeed. He was driven, determined and smart about using the RE/MAX brand name and competitive advantages,” commented Dave Liniger, CEO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of RE/MAX. ”At that time, we had no global presence to speak of outside of the US and Canada. As people came to us and wanted to expand RE/MAX into countries all around the world, many of them looked at RE/MAX Cayman Islands as an example of what was possible. So, to a considerable degree, Kim and his office helped set the stage for greater things to come.”
Kim Lund, Broker/Co-owner of RE/MAX Cayman Islands, opened his real estate agency, First Realty of Cayman, in 1990. He was the company’s only employee. After a year, Lund realized it was extremely difficult to launch a new real estate company in Cayman and needed a competitive edge.
“I realized, to make an impact in the Cayman Islands real estate market, that I needed to buy a franchise with name recognition,” commented Lund. “That was a big challenge because every company said no, that Cayman was too small, and they weren’t interested in the Caribbean.”
After months of rejections, Lund finally received some good news. RE/MAX said they would consider it. Lund immediately flew up to RE/MAX headquarters and after 3 days he convinced them to sell him a franchise.
RE/MAX Cayman Islands was originally operated out of Regency Court. Including Lund, there were 3 employees including a receptionist and Kim’s late wife, Brenda Tibbetts-Lund, who came on board as the company’s office manager. Within a few months, Edna Ebanks, who has been with RE/MAX Cayman Islands ever since, was the office’s first new agent.
James Bovell, Broker/Co-owner of RE/MAX Cayman Islands, joined RE/MAX Cayman Islands in 1994. In 1998, he became a co-owner and took over the management of the company as the Managing Partner (Broker in Charge).
“RE/MAX is the #1 real estate brand in the world,” added Bovell. “Since its launch in 1991, RE/MAX Cayman Islands not only dominates the Cayman Islands as the island’s #1 real estate company, but also within the entire Caribbean and Latin American markets, where RE/MAX Cayman Islands consistently ranks #1 among RE/MAX offices.”
In 1991, RE/MAX Cayman Islands was opened at its current home at 7 Mile Shops on West Bay Road. The office is now home to 16 agents and 12 support staff.
“RE/MAX Cayman Islands is very selective in its choice of agents.” commented Bovell, Broker/Co-owner and Managing Partner. “We hire only career professionals whose both full-time and lifetime job is to provide the best customer and client experience when listing or selling real estate. We have an incredible team of real estate professionals with more than 230 years combined experience and second to none.”
“I’d like to congratulate Kim Lund, James Bovell, and all at RE/MAX on this milestone,” said Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP, MLA. “Kim’s foresight in bringing the RE/MAX name to the Cayman Islands is truly praiseworthy. Over the more than two decades that it has been in operation RE/MAX has been an important contributor to the Cayman Islands global brand and to our economy, and I am certain that it will continue to be so for decades to come. ”
Edna Ebanks, RE/MAX’s first agent comments, “I am proud to be a part of the RE/MAX Cayman Islands family since its inception in 1991. RE/MAX Cayman Islands is an amazing company and the Broker/Owners, Kim Lund and James Bovell, provide a great working environment for all. I take this opportunity to congratulate them on 25 successful years.”
Before the opening of RE/MAX Cayman Islands, RE/MAX was only in the USA and Canada. Within 6 years of its launch, Kim Lund became the #1 sales agent in the world for both 1997 and 1998. RE/MAX corporate took notice and expanded its presence not only in the Caribbean, but worldwide. Today, RE/MAX has more than 106,000 agents in over 7,000 offices in over 100 countries.
To commemorate its 25th Anniversary, RE/MAX Cayman Islands will be implementing a year-long marketing campaign including national print ads in publications including Cayman Islands Resident and Cayman Skies, branded bus shelters and airport arrival videos, as well as re-branding its bimonthly RE/MAX Magazine, which will also feature articles about the company’s agents, staff and history. Additional tactics will include a strong social media campaign and an appreciation event for clients and vendors.
RE/MAX Cayman Islands also participated in R4 in Las Vegas at the end of February. R4 is RE/MAX corporate’s annual worldwide convention that attracted over 6,000 attendees this year from all over the world.