Team Culture

The North Group Method: Team Culture That Survives and Thrives in the Real REMAX Group Era

How the North Group Method and REAL Brokerage's collaborative team culture prepare agents for the just-completed RE/MAX merger. Systems, generosity, and the new 180K-agent landscape.

Tory Akene

Tory Akene

AI Certified REALTOR®

August 27, 2026
8 min read

On August 24, 2026, something historic happened in real estate. The REAL Brokerage and RE/MAX merger closed, creating the Real REMAX Group — a combined entity with over 180,000 agents, roughly $2.3 billion in pro forma revenue, and a NASDAQ listing under REAX. Three days later, the industry is still absorbing what this means.

Here's what I know for certain: culture is going to be the difference between agents who surf this wave and agents who get swallowed by it. When an organization triples in size overnight, the teams with real systems, real connection, and a real cultural foundation are the ones that don't just survive — they accelerate.

That's exactly where the North Group Method comes in.

Why Culture Matters More Than Ever at 180,000 Agents

Let's state the obvious. A 180,000-agent brokerage is massive. That scale brings enormous advantages: global referral networks, brand recognition that buyers and sellers recognize instantly, deeper market intelligence, and resources that smaller brokerages can't touch.

But scale also brings risk. The bigger an organization gets, the easier it is for agents to feel like a number. To lose the sense of community. To operate in isolation even while being part of something huge.

REAL Brokerage built its culture deliberately before the merger — 36,000+ agents who chose REAL because they wanted something different from the traditional brokerage experience. The "virtual but not isolated" ethos, the revenue share community, the AI-powered support systems, the collaborative rather than competitive agent network. That culture didn't happen by accident. It was designed, nurtured, and protected.

Now that culture needs to scale to 180,000. And that's where having a repeatable, proven team framework like the North Group Method becomes a competitive advantage.

The North Group Method: A Systems-Driven Approach in a Mega-Brokerage World

North Group is an award-winning team at REAL Brokerage that built a seven-step, systems-driven framework designed to deliver predictable results. In a mega-brokerage environment, that framework becomes your anchor.

Here's how the Method works and why it's more relevant than ever:

  1. Defining Results — Deep discovery that goes beyond surface-level questions to understand the personal motivations behind every client's move. In a bigger organization, the agents who build the deepest relationships still win.
  2. Understanding the Selling Process — Full market education and transaction walkthrough. Informed clients make better decisions. The best agents become trusted educators, not order-takers.
  3. Mapping the Buyer Plan — Surgical precision in targeting the ideal buyer for each specific property. Mass marketing gets noisier at scale. Targeted outreach wins.
  4. Prepping for Profit — A coordinated launch process handling staging, design, repairs, painting, cleaning, and photos, all customized to the property and seller's goals. Presentation becomes your differentiator.
  5. Integrated Marketing — Multi-channel outreach reaching 30,000+ contacts, neighbourhood awareness campaigns, agent-to-agent networking, and high-production video content. Measurable, not spray-and-pray.
  6. Systems-Driven Execution — Repeatable processes that create consistent client experiences with regular performance reporting. When the organization around you scales fast, your personal systems keep you grounded.
  7. Beyond Closing — Ongoing client relationships that extend past the deal table. In a 180,000-agent ecosystem, the agents who nurture client-for-life relationships build the most durable businesses.

The Method isn't a binder you file away. It's a daily operating system. And in a post-merger world where everything around you is changing, having a repeatable operating system is what separates the agents who thrive from the ones who tread water.

"Always Choose Generosity" Scales Beautifully

The North Group culture is anchored by one principle: "Always Choose Generosity."

That might sound idealistic for a 180,000-agent organization. But I've seen it work at every level. Here's what it looks like in practice:

  • Knowledge is shared openly — Top producers mentor newer agents because they understand that a rising tide lifts all boats. In a merger environment, agents who share what they know build the strongest networks.
  • Leads are distributed fairly — Vetted, quality leads flow through a strategic funnel and are distributed through a round-robin system. No one starts from zero every month. That system doesn't break at 180K — it becomes even more valuable.
  • Admin support is real — Dedicated operations teams handle the backend so agents can focus on clients and closing deals. As the brokerage scales, the support infrastructure scales with it.
  • Wins are celebrated collectively — Closed a big deal? Hit a milestone under the new combined entity? The team celebrates with you. That connection is what makes a massive organization feel personal.
  • Mentorship is built in — New agents are paired with experienced North Group Top Producers from day one. You get tools, skillsets, and direct guidance on navigating every part of the business — including the transition into the new merged world.

The insight: Culture isn't a poster on the wall. It's the set of behaviors that persist when no one is watching. Generosity, transparency, and support — these are the values that make a 180,000-agent company feel like a team you actually want to be part of.

What the Merger Opens Up for North Group Agents

The merger isn't just about scale. It opens up specific advantages that agents within a strong team culture can leverage immediately:

Global referral network. North Group has been building its reach in Ontario and across Canada. Now, with the combined entity, that reach extends to every market where RE/MAX had a presence. An agent in Toronto can generate referrals to London, Dubai, or Sydney through the same platform.

Brand recognition that shortens the sales cycle. When you have RE/MAX's brand recognition plus REAL's technology story, you get a compelling narrative that resonates with sellers and buyers. The combination is greater than either part alone.

Technology that works at every scale. REAL's Leo AI, HeyLeo, reZEN, and AiRM tools were built for a modern, tech-enabled agent experience. Those tools don't break at 180,000 agents — they become smarter. More data means better AI. Better AI means more time saved. More time saved means more deals closed.

Revenue share that compounds on a larger network. The revenue share program — 5 levels deep, paid from REAL's share — becomes exponentially more valuable as the agent network grows. The agents who join early and build their downline are positioning themselves for a decades-long wealth-building engine.

180,000+

Combined agents in the new Real REMAX Group. For context, that's larger than many franchises have ever been. And every single one of those agents is a potential referral partner, revenue share connection, or collaboration opportunity.

How Tory Akene Helps You Navigate This Moment

I'm one of the world's first AI-certified REALTORS, a coach and business manager with Kathleen Black International, and a proud member of the North Group team. The merger is the biggest story in real estate this decade, and I'm here to help agents make the most of it.

Here's what that means for you:

  • If you're already at REAL — I can help you leverage the North Group Method to accelerate your growth in the new combined ecosystem.
  • If you're considering joining — I'll walk you through the numbers, the culture, the technology, and exactly how the merger changes the opportunity. No fluff, no pressure, just straight talk.
  • If you're bringing a team — I'll help you structure your transition so your entire team lands together, with revenue share and stock awards already in motion.

And here's the offer that makes this a no-brainer: any agent who joins REAL through me gets a FREE AI Training Session. You'll learn how to use Leo AI, HeyLeo, and the full REAL tech stack to supercharge your business. This training alone is worth thousands. It's yours free when you join through Tory Akene.

Your Next Step in the Post-Merger Era

The Real REMAX Group just started trading on NASDAQ. The combined entity has 180,000+ agents, $2.3 billion in pro forma revenue, and a technology platform that no traditional brokerage can match. This is the inflection point.

Agents who act now position themselves at the front of the wave. Agents who wait will spend years trying to catch up.

Here's how to take action today:

Step 1: Click here to join REAL through Tory Akene. Your application takes about 15 minutes, and you'll be positioned in the new system from day one.

Step 2: Book a free strategy call with me. We'll discuss your specific situation — solo agent, team leader, or building from scratch — and map out your path in the post-merger landscape.

Step 3: Claim your FREE AI Training Session and start using Leo AI, HeyLeo, and reZEN before your first deal closes under the new structure.

Call me at 289-814-TORY (8679) or email ToryInRealty@gmail.com anytime. I answer my own phone.

The merger just closed. The opportunity is now.

Join REAL through Tory Akene and get positioned in the new Real REMAX Group ecosystem. 180,000 agents. $2.3B revenue. AI-powered technology. And a free AI training session to help you hit the ground running.

Not sure if now is the right time? Book a 15-minute call and ask every question you have. I'll give you straight answers based on real numbers and actual experience in the system.

Tory Akene

Tory Akene

AI Certified REALTOR® · REAL Brokerage · Coach at Kathleen Black International

Tory Akene is one of the world's first AI-certified REALTORS® and a leader reshaping real estate and business. She mentors agents and entrepreneurs across North America with a focus on genuine relationships and proven systems.