Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has announced the appointment of Brent M. Williams as director, Network Services. In this role, Williams will oversee numerous member services and programs for the global network of 500+ market-leading real estate firms.

Working closely with Vice President, Network Services Erin Koops and the member services team, Williams will manage the RELO® Xchange referral management system, the U.S. Military on the Move™ program and the network’s annual awards, among other critical member-facing initiatives.

Prior to joining the company, Williams served as director of Relocation and Business Development for the fourth largest residential real estate brokerage in Chicago, where he was responsible for the strategic direction of the relocation and e-commerce departments. In this role, he maintained key relationships with relocation management companies, corporate clients and other real estate brokerages. Previous experience includes working for relocation management companies, where he coordinated all aspects of moves for military, affinity and corporate clients.

“Brent’s experience and service-oriented approach make him the ideal addition to our Member Services team,” said Koops. “Having worked in various leadership capacities for real estate firms and relocation companies, he brings a unique perspective that will help us ensure the quality and relevance of the services we bring our member firms.”

Williams is a licensed real estate broker and holds the Worldwide ERC® Certified Relocation Professional designation. Williams is based in the company’s Chicago headquarters and can be reached at bwilliams@LeadingRE.com or (312) 447-5914.

Read More

HGTV has announced the winners of its Doory Awards, a month-long online contest on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com billed as “The Ultimate House Hunt.” The contest, which attracted nearly 50 million page views, featured extraordinary homes from around the world in ten distinct categories.

The winning homes, represented by members of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio International®, were selected by consumers who voted for their favorites among an elite group of finalists.

In the Waterfront Homes category, a stunning Gulf-front contemporary in Sarasota, Fla., represented by Michael Saunders & Company, won top honors. A modern houseboat from Seattle Wash. swept the Tiny Homes category, represented by Windermere Real Estate. In the International Homes category, a Balinese-inspired villa in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Smiths Gore Limited earned distinction.

In the Historical Homes category, Ganly Walters’ Tulira Castle in Ardrahan, Ireland received the most votes. Howard Hughes’ historic retreat in Crystal Bay, Nev., represented by Chase International, was named the winner among the Celebrity Homes. In Gourmet Kitchens, a First Team Estates’ Irvine, Calif. home took the honors for a kitchen where “rustic meets elegant.” In Urban Homes, an impressive city-view estate in Honolulu, HI from Choi International won.

A home with a resort-style pool in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Premier Estate Properties, Inc. was picked as the favorite Outdoor Retreat. In the Spa Bathrooms category, the favorite was from a home in Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada, represented by The Whistler Real Estate Co. Drawing special attention in the “Your House Has WHAT?” category, a grand home theater in Slinger, Wis., from First Weber Group Realtors, earned the most votes.

In addition to bragging rights, the winning homes will receive additional editorial exposure on HGTV’s FrontDoor.com.

“We are so pleased with the extraordinary response to the 2014 Doory Awards,” said Rich Lacy, vice president, Emerging Brands for HGTV’s Home Category. “This year’s finalists were especially compelling, and we are pleased to give our viewers an inside look into these remarkable homes from around the world.”

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is the largest network of top independent real estate brokerage firms, with more than 500 companies in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Luxury Portfolio International^® (www.LuxuryPortfolio.com) is the luxury face of LeadingRE, supporting member firms that specialize in the high end market.

To view the Doory Award winners, visit www.FrontDoor.com/doory.

Read More