By Jay Hummer

Can we get a price check in aisle five…for a four-bedroom two-bath colonial on a cul-de-sac?

Sounds a little different, right? Well, that’s because it is totally unique.

In 2009, RE/MAX of New England added twenty new franchises, and in 2010 our goal is to add even more top-notch franchises to our expanding network.

As part of that plan, we just recently announced a very exciting partnership with The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. This new, unique arrangement will allow our Broker/Owners to develop micro real estate offices in supermarkets located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

Internally, this new partnership is already getting rave reviews. Aside from the opportunity to spread the RE/MAX brand throughout a new market, it will give RE/MAX franchisees the opportunity to create small, more economical offices in high traffic areas. This will allow more face-to-face interaction with prospective clients.

We are also confident that the excitement will spread beyond our agents to customers. By operating inside Stop & Shop locations in nearly 20 communities, we feel that customers will really get to know us. Sure, when they come in to pick up their groceries they won’t sporadically decide to purchase a home, but certainly we will be there to answer questions they may have about the buying or selling process, about the available government tax credits, or to help discuss what the best timing would be to put their home on the market. Simply put, these locations will allow people to get to know our expert RE/MAX agents and form a relationship, so when it’s time to buy or sell a home they will come back to us.

During the first year of our new five-year partnership, we plan to launch micro RE/MAX offices in 17 Stop & Shop locations across Southern New England. Soon enough, when you come in to pick up that loaf of bread you’ll see our expert agents ready to assist you with all your real estate needs. We’re here to help, answer questions and educate. Now, you won’t find us in aisle five, but you’ll easily see us, so please stop by, say hello, and get to know us.

Jay Hummer, the Executive Vice President and Regional Director of RE/MAX of New England, has 25 years experience in the real estate franchise industry, beginning his career in New York City in 1984. As the Executive Vice President and Regional Director, Hummer oversees 250 offices and 3,000 sales associates in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The RE/MAX website is www.remax.com.