RE/MAX Lands Historic Toronto Brokerage in Major Market Shake-Up

TORONTO, ON – January 15, 2026 – In a move that sends ripples across the Canadian real estate landscape, global giant RE/MAX has executed the single largest conversion in its history, absorbing two of the Royal LePage brand's most productive franchises. The deal brings a real estate powerhouse—encompassing over 1,200 agents, 17 offices, and more than $3 billion in combined annual sales volume—into the RE/MAX network, significantly bolstering its presence in the fiercely competitive Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The two brokerages, formerly operating as Royal LePage Your Community Realty and Royal LePage Connect Realty, will now do business as REMAX Your Community Realty and REMAX Connect Realty. The operations remain under the control of the influential Risi family—Vivian, Michelle, and Justin Risi—a dynasty that has been a fixture in Toronto real estate for decades. This landmark transition marks a pivotal moment, not just for the companies involved, but for the industry at large, highlighting a growing trend where top-tier talent gravitates toward brands offering superior technology and global reach.

A Family's Legacy Pivots Toward a Global Future

At the heart of this monumental shift is the Risi family, led by matriarch Vivian Risi, a prominent and respected figure in Toronto's real estate community. Her journey is a story of remarkable entrepreneurial success. In 1994, she purchased a modest 18-agent office in Toronto and, through decades of relentless work and a customer-first philosophy, cultivated it into the sprawling, billion-dollar enterprise it is today.

The decision to leave a long-standing brand affiliation and align with RE/MAX was not taken lightly. For the Risis, the move represents a strategic pivot designed to equip their agents for the future of real estate. They pointed to RE/MAX's unmatched global footprint, formidable brand recognition, and robust commercial and luxury divisions as key attractions.

"The industry is changing, and we want our agents to have the global reach, resources and support," said Vivian Risi, emphasizing the forward-looking nature of the decision. "REMAX aligns with our growth ambitions and checks every box – opportunity for strategic growth, commercial and luxury emphasis, global reach, brand strength and recruiting power." This sentiment underscores a critical shift in the industry: success is no longer just about local market knowledge, but also about leveraging international networks and advanced digital tools.

The Decisive Edge: Technology and Brand Power

The Risi family's choice was heavily influenced by a series of aggressive strategic advancements made by RE/MAX in 2025. The company undertook a comprehensive brand refresh to create a "digital-first" identity, optimizing its iconic balloon logo and logotype for sharper visibility across social media and online platforms. More substantively, it launched a suite of next-generation technology tools, a move that is clearly paying dividends in attracting top-performing brokerages.

These initiatives include a global, AI-powered referral system, AI-enhanced websites for agents, and sophisticated AI-driven marketing solutions. This technological arsenal, combined with the brand's consistent ranking as the most trusted real estate agency in Canada and the U.S. according to BrandSpark® studies, created a compelling value proposition that proved irresistible.

RE/MAX CEO Erik Carlson acknowledged the critical role these investments played. "Their decision reflects the strength of the REMAX brand and reinforces our current strategic direction," he stated. "The many advancements we made last year – in technology, marketing, strategy, digital presence, social media, global presence and much more – played a huge role in bringing these tremendous leaders on board."

The conversion provides the 1,200+ agents now under the RE/MAX banner with access to a network of over 145,000 agents in more than 120 countries. In an era of increasing cross-border investment and client mobility, this global connectivity is a powerful competitive advantage that allows agents to serve a wider, more international clientele.

Reshaping the GTA's Competitive Landscape

This conversion is more than just a large transaction; it's a strategic coup that reshapes the competitive dynamics of Canada's largest and most watched real estate market. The influx of over 1,200 highly productive agents and $3 billion in sales volume significantly strengthens RE/MAX's claim to the #1 national market share in Canada.

For Royal LePage, the departure of one of its largest and most successful franchise groups represents a considerable loss in the GTA. While the company, part of the larger Bridgemarq Real Estate Services network of over 21,000 agents, remains a formidable national player, this exit creates a significant void in a crucial urban center. It comes at a time when Royal LePage has been actively promoting its "Proudly Canadian" identity, a campaign that now faces the reality of heightened competition from a global rival that just secured one of its flagship operations.

The move is expected to intensify the battle for agent talent in Toronto. Other brokerages will be watching closely as the Risi family leverages RE/MAX's resources to recruit and grow. "REMAX was created to help top performers thrive, and this outstanding family operation fits perfectly in our network of trusted, productive professionals," said RE/MAX Canada President Don Kottick. He added that the new affiliates will "quickly experience the edge that comes from being with the country's – and world's – most productive real estate network."

This event serves as a powerful case study in market consolidation, where brand strength, technological superiority, and global opportunities are becoming the primary currencies in the war for top-tier brokerages and agents. The ripple effects of this conversion will likely be felt across the GTA for years to come, influencing how other brokerages position themselves to compete.

The move is also consistent with a broader pattern of growth for RE/MAX, which saw significant expansions in markets like Hawaii, Malaysia, and Morocco in late 2025. It reinforces a clear trend in the global real estate industry: leading organizations are increasingly choosing to align with powerful international brands that can provide the tools, network, and support necessary to win in an ever-evolving marketplace.