We are the
At Realty ONE Group, we’re a family of equals who are proud of each other and what we are building and creating alongside ONE another.
The success of our Coolture is supported by our philosophy that EveryONE has a voice. By sharing a common passion with a positive attitude and igniting WOW experiences, we’re creating raving fans who fuel our dynamic Coolture as we paint the globe gold as ONE.
Meet the Owner
My Big WHY is to help my agents and staff achieve their dreams. If we are successful doing this, then my dreams are realized along the way. The word I live by is Kaizen; it is Japanese for "constant improvement." My employees are probably tired of my daily drive for constant improvement, but I feel this is the #ONE reason our company has grown to the level we have the efficiency and productivity level we enjoy today.
My Big WHY is to help my agents and staff achieve their dreams. If we are successful doing this, then my dreams are realized along the way. The word I live by is Kaizen; it is Japanese for "constant improvement."
My employees are probably tired of my daily drive for constant improvement, but I feel this is the #ONE reason our company has grown to the level we have the efficiency and productivity level we enjoy today.
Paul Ekstrom
OUR STORY
2006
Licensed into Real Estate
I became licensed in real estate in 2006. The driving force was to own my own business, and as a realtor, I was able to run my business my way; I had my branding, marketing, budgeting, processes, systems, etc. Based on my past experience in the auto and motorsports industry, I dove in head first. Little did I know what the future would bring in the next year.
2007
Company Crash
Everything started crashing around me: companies were closing their doors, employees were laid off, homes going into foreclosure, and commercial mortgages were impossible to get. Realtors were exiting the industry faster than they were joining, and I had no idea what tomorrow would look like.
Licensed into Real Estate
I became licensed in real estate in 2006. The driving force was to own my own business, and as a realtor, I was able to run my business my way; I had my branding, marketing, budgeting, processes, systems, etc. Based on my past experience in the auto and motorsports industry, I dove in head first. Little did I know what the future would bring in the next year.
Agent Competition
My choices were to quit or roll up my sleeves and work my way through it. I had a young family at home, and I was the major breadwinner. I knew no other way. I decided to embrace the chaos and work harder than any of my competing agents. I saw my business increase annually by 300-400%. I continued to leverage myself, and I developed a team that consistently was one of the top performing Real Estate teams in the north metro. We closed annually 135-165 transactions for $30-45M in volume. I led 12 agents and a staff of 6 utilizing the same principals that were founded and formulated many years earlier in the auto business.
2017
Pitch from Realty ONE Group
In the fall of 2017, I was approached by Realty ONE Group (ROG) to see if I would be interested in purchasing my own brokerage. I never entertained the thought of owning my brokerage, but after careful consideration, I realized I was the size of a small brokerage with my team. ROG flew me out to California to meet the founder, Kuba Jewgieniew and the leadership team at ROG
Awarded the Franchise
Realty ONE Group was everything I was looking for in a brokerage. They are built on the 6 C's: Care, Connect, Commission, Coolture, Community, and Coaching. I applied in early December 2017, and I was award the franchise on 12/23/2017
2018
First Office Opening
We officially opened our doors to our Andover office on May 3rd, 2018. We started with a staff of 3 and 6 agents. Today we have 100+ agents at the Andover office staff of 9.
2019
Second Office Opening
In July 2019, we opened up our second office in Northeast Minneapolis. This was such a monumental event, and it only led to the next stage of Realty ONE Group Choice.
Alexandria Office Opening
In September 2022, we opened our third office in Alexandria, Minnesota. My family and I spend most of our summer weekends in Alexandria, so having an office there was convenient for our family on top of bringing our brand to a new market.
2022
from paul ekstrom
Realty ONE Group Choice Owner
5 Years in Business
In March 2023, we made the tough decision to merge our Northeast Office with Andover. We are happy to be ONE as a company and have surpassed 100 real estate agents in Andover & Alexandria. We turned 5 years old in May!
2023
OUR STORY
from paul ekstrom
Realty ONE Group Choice Owner
2006
Licensed into Real Estate
I became licensed in real estate in 2006. The driving force was to own my own business, and as a realtor, I was able to run my business my way; I had my branding, marketing, budgeting, processes, systems, etc. Based on my past experience in the auto and motorsports industry, I dove in head first. Little did I know what the future would bring in the next year.
2007
Company Crash
Everything started crashing around me: companies were closing their doors, employees were laid off, homes going into foreclosure, and commercial mortgages were impossible to get. Realtors were exiting the industry faster than they were joining, and I had no idea what tomorrow would look like.
2006
Licensed into Real Estate
I became licensed in real estate in 2006. The driving force was to own my own business, and as a realtor, I was able to run my business my way; I had my branding, marketing, budgeting, processes, systems, etc. Based on my past experience in the auto and motorsports industry, I dove in head first. Little did I know what the future would bring in the next year.
Agent Competition
My choices were to quit or roll up my sleeves and work my way through it. I had a young family at home, and I was the major breadwinner. I knew no other way. I decided to embrace the chaos and work harder than any of my competing agents. I saw my business increase annually by 300-400%. I continued to leverage myself, and I developed a team that consistently was one of the top performing Real Estate teams in the north metro. We closed annually 135-165 transactions for $30-45M in volume. I led 12 agents and a staff of 6 utilizing the same principals that were founded and formulated many years earlier in the auto business.
2017
Pitch from Realty ONE Group
In the fall of 2017, I was approached by Realty ONE Group (ROG) to see if I would be interested in purchasing my own brokerage. I never entertained the thought of owning my brokerage, but after careful consideration, I realized I was the size of a small brokerage with my team. ROG flew me out to California to meet the founder, Kuba Jewgieniew and the leadership team at ROG
Awarded the Franchise
Realty ONE Group was everything I was looking for in a brokerage. They are built on the 6 C's: Care, Connect, Commission, Coolture, Community, and Coaching. I applied in early December 2017, and I was award the franchise on 12/23/2017
2018
First Office Opening
We officially opened our doors to our Andover office on May 4th, 2018. We started with a staff of 3 and 6 agents. Today we have 100+ agents at the Andover office staff of 9.
2019
Second Office Opening
In July 2019, we opened up our second office in Northeast Minneapolis. This was such a monumental event, and it only led to our next step!
2022
Alexandria Office Opening
In September 2022, we opened our third office in Alexandria, Minnesota. My family and I spend most of our summer weekends in Alexandria, so having an office there was convenient for our family on top of bringing our brand to a new market.
2023
5 Years in Business
In March 2023, we made the tough decision to merge our Northeast Office with Andover. We are happy to be ONE as a company and have surpassed 100 real estate agents in Andover & Alexandria. We turned 5 years old in May!
Our Connection to
Realty ONE Group is rapidly growing, innovative, global real estate franchisor dedicated to empowering real estate brokers and agents. From the beginning, Realty ONE Group invested in the success of our people - not because it should increase our profits but because we truly care. The goal was set at our founding in May 2005 and remains true today; build a company that fosters a unique culture and gives everyONE a voice.
18,000+
Proffesionals
427+
locations
Top 1%
7 YEARS
49
states
427+
locations
top 1%
-----
7 Years
49
states
in the nation
IN THE NATION
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