Technology

Disrupting the Status Quo: How Platinum Realty Became Kansas City’s #1 Office and a Midwest Power Brokerage

Published

12 months ago

May 22, 2025

By doing things differently, Platinum Realty created an innovative brokerage and agent-first environment where agents and their clients win

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Platinum Realty was born by a bold vision, but its unwavering commitment to its agents has defined its success as Kansas City’s largest residential real estate office by transaction count.

As it celebrates its 20th anniversary milestone, Platinum Realty stands as undeniable proof that the flat-fee agent compensation model not only works — it thrives. Once dismissed by naysayers, this disruptive model has shattered outdated notions by bucking the status quo.

In 2005, Platinum Realty pioneered the flat-fee agent model, enabling agents to keep what they earn and meet clients’ needs more efficiently than their competitors. It quickly gained a secure foothold in the Midwest. Fast-forward to today: the firm boasts 2,400 agents, 13 offices, operates in five states and seven markets and is a ten-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company.

United Real Estate President Rick Haase explains how full-service support is possible within the firm’s business model.
“Platinum Realty was built on three pillars of success: scale, excellence and efficiency. These powerful drivers have made it a standout performer, laser-focused on equipping agents to win in today’s ever-evolving real estate market. Early on, critics claimed the 100% agent compensation model couldn’t generate enough scale to sustain operations. We’ve proven them wrong. By leveraging scale, smart technology development and purchases and by slashing inefficiencies, we’ve built a model that delivers unmatched value and real results for agents and clients.”

Growth continues. A year-over-year transaction growth of 10% and a 13% jump in sales volume reflect the ongoing achievements of its agents, despite the most sluggish real estate market in decades.

The Platinum Realty team keeps a laser focus on its comprehensive support system, introducing industry-leading innovations that benefit agents and clients. It has become the firm’s hallmark and source of an ever-growing agent base. Platinum’s support platform is robust, flexible and designed to give agents everything they need without paying for tools they don’t want. From hands-on staff support and cutting-edge marketing to sleek office spaces and a tech-forward approach, it’s a turnkey system that fuels success.

Platinum Realty Director of Growth and Market Development, Rob Hill, explains how their agent-first approach drives loyalty.
“We do things differently because agents have decided they no longer wish to be treated as employees. That’s evident in our growth and retention. They come to Platinum Realty to run a real estate business and enjoy industry-leading technology, systems, tools, training and support without the profit-depleting commission splits and unnecessary fees. Our approach to supporting agents is simple, personal, practical and empowering. Agents come here to build something real — and they stay because they know they are supported and backed every step of the way.”

And there’s more good news. The National Association of REALTORS® predicts Kansas City to be a top 10 real estate market in 2025. Thanks to its strong affordability and opportunity, Platinum agents are perfectly positioned to seize the moment and surge ahead.

About Platinum Realty
Founded in 2005, Platinum Realty was conceived as a brokerage unlike any other – the name “Platinum” was chosen to reflect its quality and rarity. Designed by an agent for agents, Platinum Realty is a ten-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private U.S. company and is a member of United Real Estate’s national network. It is a market share leader and one of the largest independent residential brokerages in the Midwest with over 2,400 agents in thirteen offices serving five states and seven major markets. Learn more about careers at Platinum Realty.

About United Real Estate
United Real Estate (United) – a division of United Real Estate Group – was founded with the purpose of offering solutions to real estate brokers and agents in the rapidly changing real estate brokerage industry. United provides the latest training, marketing and technology tools to agents and brokers under a flat-fee, transaction-based agent commission model. By leveraging the company’s proprietary cloud-based Bullseye™ Agent & Broker Productivity Platform, United delivers a more profitable outcome for agents and brokers. United Real Estate operates in 35 states with 170 offices and more than 22,000 agents. The company produced over 73,000 transactions and $26.3 billion in sales volume in 2024.

Media Contact

April Gonzalez, United Real Estate, 504-237-3500, AGonzalez@UnitedRealEstate.com, www.UnitedRealEstate.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/disrupting-the-status-quo-how-platinum-realty-became-kansas-citys-1-office-and-a-midwest-power-brokerage-302461410.html

SOURCE United Real Estate

Technology

FranklinWH Introduces Enhanced 15 kWh aPower in Australia and New Zealand

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

Expansion comes as policy shifts and rising power costs accelerate demand for residential energy storage

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH, a leading provider of whole-home energy management and battery storage solutions, today announced the launch of its enhanced 15 kWh aPower battery in Australia and New Zealand, as demand for residential energy storage continues to grow, driven by evolving policy settings and increasing interest in energy independence.

The updated aPower builds on the company’s established platform, increasing usable capacity from 13.6 kWh to 15 kWh and raising warrantied throughput from 43 MWh to 60 MWh, an increase of 40 percent. These updates deliver more usable energy over the life of the system while maintaining the same footprint and price.

“The energy landscape is shifting quickly, and more homeowners are thinking beyond the upfront specs to what really pays off over time,” said Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia. “This upgrade is about delivering more performance over the life of the system, more usable energy, greater throughput, while staying true to our ‘buy once, buy right’ philosophy.”

The increase in warrantied throughput translates into savings for homeowners. Based on typical usage patterns and an electricity rate of A$0.35 per kilowatt-hour, the additional throughput may represent up to approximately A$5,950 in value over the lifetime of the system. The increase in usable capacity also improves energy density, lowering the effective cost per kilowatt-hour and supporting more efficient use of stored energy.

The 15 kWh configuration also aligns with current and upcoming policy frameworks benefitting residential battery adoption. This includes the updated Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with changes coming into effect for Australian homeowners from 1 May, 2026, helping households maximise value as incentives continue to evolve.

As the residential battery market expands, FranklinWH continues to focus on reliability and system performance. The aPower incorporates design elements to support durability, including structural reinforcement to reduce cell stress over time, per-cell temperature monitoring, and the separation of the battery pack and control systems to maintain reliable performance.

“We believe performance should be measured over years, not just at installation,” Ruskin added. “We focus on building systems that deliver consistent, reliable results over time. That long-term perspective is what ultimately defines value for homeowners.”

The aPower is designed to operate as part of the FranklinWH System, an integrated home energy management platform that coordinates energy generation, storage, and consumption. The system is designed to optimise multiple energy inputs, provide reliable backup power, and support more efficient and independent energy use at the household level.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System. FranklinWH is a market-oriented, research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Located in Macquarie Park, Sydney with a global head office in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions.

Contact: Media@franklinwh.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/franklinwh-introduces-enhanced-15-kwh-apower-in-australia-and-new-zealand-302759086.html

SOURCE FranklinWH Australia Pty Ltd

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2026

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

Get Started Today

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/