Dave and Gail Liniger co-founded RE/MAX in Denver in 1973. The company’s name is derived from “Real Estate Maximums,” reflecting its original emphasis on giving real-estate agents greater earning potential and independence.
The Linigers designed RE/MAX around a commission-based model that differed from many traditional brokerages. Agents were encouraged to retain a larger share of commissions while paying fees to the brokerage. The model helped attract experienced agents and supported rapid franchised growth.
RE/MAX became one of the best-known real-estate franchise networks in the world. It is often confused with Keller Williams or Century 21 because all operate through independent real-estate offices, but RE/MAX was specifically founded by the Linigers in 1973.