– National mortgage lender has 30 years industry experience in Joint Venture creation. –
CHICAGO – (April 12, 2019) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has added NewRez to its Solutions Group program, a collection of preferred business resources for its network of 565 market-leading real estate firms. NewRez is a national mortgage lender providing a full suite of products to meet the needs of borrowers.
With 30 years of industry experience in Joint Venture creation, NewRez has formed over 30 successful new lending partners throughout the country. The company works directly with real estate firms and builders to form Joint Ventures to work collaboratively in creating value for consumers looking to purchase a home.
“NewRez’s commitment to customer service and passion for technology have helped make them one of the premier lenders in the country,” said Robin LaSure, LeadingRE vice president, corporate marketing. “They have already created several successful Joint Ventures with some of our member firms, and we look forward to introducing their program to more of our members looking to expand their businesses with a mortgage offering.”
NewRez VP, Business Development & Strategic Relationships Al Miller welcomes the opportunity to work with more LeadingRE firms. “We are excited to officially align with LeadingRE. As a premier mortgage lender, a relationship between NewRez and LeadingRE is a perfect fit. As we continue to collaborate with thriving real estate companies to form Joint Ventures, a network like LeadingRE can lead to success for all parties,” Miller said.
– Marketing automation program offers behavioral email marketing for real estate brokers and agents. –
CHICAGO – (April 2, 2019) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has added ActivePipe to its Solutions Group program of preferred business resources for its global network of 565 market-leading real estate firms. ActivePipe is a marketing automation platform designed for the real estate space.
Using years of trending data, ActivePipe’s behavioral email marketing helps brokerages and agents maximize their databases to build stronger relationships and grow opportunities. Its unique algorithms and interactive call to action pages are designed to help agents know when to reach out to their contacts and with what message.
“ActivePipe makes it easy to create beautiful emails and campaigns with drag-and-drop functionality, but what makes the platform so impressive is the way it uses predictive analytics to help agents identify active buyers and sellers and understand the right message for a certain person at any given time,” said Robin LaSure, LeadingRE vice president, corporate marketing.
Currently working with brokerages in the US, the UK, New Zealand and Australia, ActivePipe is well-positioned to serve LeadingRE’s global membership.
“LeadingRE members are, in many ways, our ideal partners because of how they tend to think about and embrace technology. It is a perfect match in that regard and a terrific fit on both sides, and we are extremely excited about this partnership,” Chief Revenue Officer Mike Feller.
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a selective global community of the highest quality independent residential real estate companies, with over 565 companies and 130,000 sales associates in over 70 countries. Network members generate over 1.1 million transactions annually, with $372 billion in home sales. LeadingRE exists to make its members better by connecting them to opportunities and people around the globe, supporting them with an international referral network, professional development programs, unique events and connections to people and opportunities worldwide.
About ActivePipe
Unique within the real estate space, ActivePipe (activepipe.com) integrates live property feeds to present tailored recipient-specific content. ActivePipe helps brokerages and agents in identifying and converting potential buyers and sellers by managing the communication journey with all prospects, at scale. Its drag-and-drop email editor allows for easy and instant blog and video incorporation, creating a seamless nurture program across all stages of the real estate lifecycle. ActivePipe has established a rapid penetration across US, UK, New Zealand and Australian real estate offices in its short history in market. The ActivePipe platform complements all popular real estate CRM platforms by bringing static data to life.
Catharine Pappas, LeadingRE Advisory Council Chairperson and Dickens Mitchener Director of Relocation
– Dickens Mitchener’s Catharine Pappas named chairperson of leadership group. –
CHICAGO – (March 28, 2019) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has announced its new Advisory Council officers and members. The LeadingRE Advisory Council is a leadership group comprised of business development and relocation professionals who provide guidance on key initiatives for the global real estate community of 565 market-leading firms in over 70 countries.
The Advisory Council works closely with the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® management team on integral relocation, business development and lead generation programs. Council members also mentor other affiliates and serve as ambassadors for the organization’s diverse program offerings. Members are elected by fellow council members to serve a three-year term and are chosen based on the merits of their professional experience and reputation.
Catharine Pappas, Director of Relocation for Dickens Mitchener (Charlotte, N.C.), has been elected to a one-year term as Advisory Council Chairperson. Pappas has led the relocation department at Dickens Mitchener for more than 25 years, bringing a depth of experience relating to all areas of relocation.
Kimberly Barkoff, Executive Director, Relocation/Referrals for Halstead Real Estate (New York, N.Y.), has been elected Vice Chairperson. Barkoff has more than 18 years of experience, including expertise in property investment and management, real estate and corporate relocation.
Joining the Advisory Council are Michele Barnes, Director of Relocation at PARKS Realty (Brentwood, Tenn.); Marie Lawrence, VP, Corporate & Relocation Services, ARC Realty (Montgomery, Ala.); and Tammy Young, Relocation Director, Sibcy Cline Realtors (Cincinnati, Ohio).
“We are so fortunate to have such an esteemed group of industry leaders serving on our Advisory Council. Their commitment to our network helps us ensure we deliver highly-effective, market-responsive relocation and business development programs for our members worldwide,” said LeadingRE Executive Vice President, Member Services Kate Reisinger, CRP.
Also serving on the council are Immediate Past Chairperson Allison Rybarczyk, Arizona Best Real Estate, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Judy Bissell, Watson Realty Corp., Jacksonville, Fla.; Andrea Bowles, Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate, Augusta, Ga.; Shane Bronson, Lamacchia Realty, Waltham, Mass.; Jo Lay, Baird & Warner, Chicago, Ill.; Ashley McEvers, Willis Allen Real Estate, La Jolla, Calif.; and Karen McRae, Harry Norman Realtors, Atlanta, Ga.
Watson Realty Corp.’s Ed Forman, Carlotta Landschoot and William Watson, Jr.
accept LeadingRE’s highest company honor, the Diamond Award, from outgoing LeadingRE Chairman of the Board Joe Horning. See more award winners at https://bit.ly/2HHCO7d and https://bit.ly/2UGdkdT.
CHICAGO – (March 19, 2019) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ® recognized top-performing member firms and individuals during its recent Awards Gala – the finale of its Conference Week, which attracted a global audience of 2,500 professionals from 25 countries.
“Our conference focuses on the trends impacting real estate markets worldwide and ways to deliver a superior customer experience to home buyers and sellers. It’s only natural that we would pay tribute to those whose accomplishments exemplify excellence,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma.
The Diamond Award, LeadingRE’s top company honor, went to Watson Realty Corp. (Jacksonville, FL), based on the company’s superior engagement and performance in all of LeadingRE’s business programs. It is the sixth time Watson Realty Corp. has won the Diamond in the award’s 17-year history, reflecting their consistent dedication to excellence, as well as their support of other members.
The Leadership Award, which celebrates brokers whose leadership skills and achievements have drawn the attention and admiration of others, was presented to Glenn Gardner, GARDNER, REALTORS
(Metairie, LA). The Customer Experience of the Year Award went to Aleesa Blum, Marx-Bensdorf Realtors (Memphis, TN), and the Referral of the Year was presented to Jeremy Fain, Greenwood King Properties (Houston, TX).
Included in the top marketing awards were the Best Overall Website, presented to Baird & Warner, (Chicago, IL), and the Most Innovative Brokerage Award, given to Halstead Real Estate (New York, NY). Most Innovative Office Design was presented to GARDNER, REALTORS (Metairie, LA) and Meybohm Real Estate (Augusta, GA).
The Crown of Excellence referral awards were given in seven company size categories: Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); Lyon Real Estate (Sacramento, CA); Beverly-Hanks & Associates (Asheville, NC); Dickens Mitchener (Charlotte, NC); WK Real Estate (Boulder, CO); Marx-Bensdorf Realtors (Memphis, TN); and High Country Real Estate Services (Taos, NM).
Earning the Million Dollar Award for Highest Valued Outgoing Closings was Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate (Rye Brook, NY). The Global Alliance Award for Most Outgoing International Referral Closings was presented to Reality Realty (San Juan, Puerto Rico). Awarded for having the Top 5 Most Outgoing Closings, in order of units, were: WEICHERT, REALTORS (Morris Plains, NJ); Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. (Chantilly, VA); Howard Hanna Company (Pittsburgh, PA); Allen Tate Company (Charlotte, NC); and Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate (Rye Brook, NY).
The Top 5 Global Referral Award, recognizing members from outside the U.S. that sent the most outgoing referrals in 2018, was presented to: Ginesta Immobilien Kusnacht (Switzerland); CIR REALTY (Calgary, Canada); Giorgio Viganò Real Estate (Milano, Italy); Cofim-Immobiliare VR (Verona, Italy); and Strutt & Parker (London, United Kingdom).
Recognized with the Pinnacle Award for having the most outgoing revenue-generating referrals were: Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. (Chantilly, VA); Lyon Real Estate (Sacramento, CA); Realty Austin (Austin, TX); Stribling & Associates, Ltd. (New York, NY); WK Real Estate (Boulder, CO); Marx-Bensdorf Realtors (Memphis, TN); and Bluebird Real Estate (Crested Butte, CO).
The Service Recognition Award was presented to individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment to the LeadingRE community in a variety of areas. The top individual honor, the Hall of Fame Award, was presented to Allison Rybarczyk (Arizona Best Real Estate, Scottsdale, AZ).
Earning the Chairman’s Service Award were Pam Metzger (WK Real Estate, Boulder, CO); and Dawn Stevens (The Randall Family of Companies, Sandwich, MA). Receiving the President’s Service Award were Kimberly Barkoff (Halstead Real Estate, New York, NY); Deb Boland (Mel Foster Co., Davenport, IA); Claude Ginesta (Ginesta Immobilien, Kusnacht, Switzerland); Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV (Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Pittsburgh, PA); Jo Lay (Baird & Warner, Chicago, IL); Ashley McEvers (Willis Allen Real Estate, La Jolla, CA); and Ron Shuffield (EWM Realty International, Coral Gables, FL).
LeadingRE’s next event is the 2019 APAC Forum, taking place April 29-May 1 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Diane M. Ramirez, LeadingRE Chairman of the Board and Halstead Real Estate Chairman and CEO
CHICAGO (March 4, 2019) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) announced today that Diane M. Ramirez of Halstead Real Estate has been elected to a two-year term as chairman of the board of directors. The board provides strategic guidance for LeadingRE, working closely with the company’s executive team to deliver high value programs and services to the network’s 565 market-leading real estate firms in 70 countries.
Ramirez is chairman and chief executive officer of Halstead Real Estate, the company she co-founded with Clark Halstead in 1984. She has been integral to the company’s growth, which expanded from three offices to nearly three dozen located throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Riverdale, the Hamptons, Hudson Valley, New Jersey and Fairfield County, Connecticut.
She was appointed by the Governor to the Department of State Real Estate Board in 2010, where she is still an active member. Ramirez is also a member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), where she serves on the board of governors, their executive advisory board and board of directors of the Residential Division. She was recently honored with REBNY’s Bernard H. Mendik Lifetime Leadership in Real Estate Award and is routinely ranked by the New York Observer as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate.
“I’m honored to be elected Chairman of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s Board of Directors. It has been a privilege to work alongside fellow board members, an esteemed group of global industry leaders, over the last two years. In my new position, I look forward to continued collaboration to advance the real estate industry and strengthen the deep international relationships offered through the network,” said Diane M. Ramirez, Chairman and CEO of Halstead Real Estate.
LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma comments, “Diane is a visionary leader whose reputation extends worldwide and who is highly respected in the real estate community. She is committed to the individual and collective success of our members, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her serving in this role.”
New to the board is Whitney LaCosta, broker/owner of Coach Realtors, Northport, N.Y. LaCosta, a second-generation Realtor who has been a top achieving sales agent, has opened and built branch offices for Coach Realtors, a family-owned company that operates 19 offices with 800 sales associates.
Other board members include Immediate Past Chairman Joe Horning, Shorewest Realtors, Brookfield, Wis.; Vice Chairman Carol Bulman, Jack Conway & Company, Inc., Norwell, Mass; Treasurer Pat Riley, Allen Tate Company, Charlotte, N.C.; Secretary Rob Sibcy, Sibcy Cline, Realtors, Cincinnati, Ohio; Harold Crye, Crye-Leike Inc., Memphis, Tenn.; Frank Morrice, Servmor Realty, Panama City, Panama; Pam O’Connor, Former LeadingRE President/CEO; Mike Pappas, The Keyes Company, Miami, Fla.; Ron Peltier, HomeServices of America, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.; Patrick M. Shea, Lyon Real Estate, Sacramento, Calif.; and William Watson, Jr., Watson Realty Corporation, Jacksonville, Fla.
CHICAGO – (February 27, 2019) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) was ranked #2 on the 2019 Training Top 125, which recognizes the organizations with the most successful learning and development programs in the world. This year’s ranking follows LeadingRE’s first-place position in 2018 and continues the company’s impressive results in the elite ranking, placing 3rd in 2017, 9th in 2016 and 64th in 2015. LeadingRE was the only real estate network named in this year’s Top 125.
LeadingRE, a global community of over 565 independent real estate firms in more than 70 countries, was celebrated for its commitment to delivering best-in-class training and professional development for its member brokerages, in addition to its corporate employees. Central to LeadingRE’s learning programs is Institute, a robust online platform that provides over 300 courses. Institute also offers certifications for sales, service, leadership, marketing and relocation, in addition to an extensive resource library for managers and agents.
LeadingRE’s MAESTRO Leadership Program also played a role in the company’s ranking, recognized for its high performance results and life- and career-changing impact for participants. MAESTRO is the only program of its kind in the industry, designed to empower leaders by focusing on the three pillars of great office leadership. Instruction is delivered through interactive workshops, a behavioral assessment tailored for real estate sales managers, numerous pre- and post-workshop assignments, webinars, accountability partner pairings, and ongoing communication and motivation.
LeadingRE’s robust menu of educational programs also includes the Career Gold workshop for training professionals, CEO Exchange Groups and multiple conferences held around the world for its diverse membership. Its LeadingRE Agent Accelerator, powered by Ninja Selling, is a popular training process designed to accelerate sales associate performance and help owners and managers deliver powerful sales meetings.
“Providing industry-leading learning for our members is among our highest priorities, so It’s incredibly gratifying to receive this recognition from Training magazine,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma. “We remain committed to bringing our brokers, sales associates and staff results-based education that will help them elevate their performance.”
Leading the company’s learning programs are Vice President of Performance Development Dan Nelson and Executive Director of Institute Content Cecelia Chott, as well as Chief Learning Officer Mike Staver. Institute Deans Matthew Ferrara, Dan Elzer and Debbie Maier and other thought leaders from the industry and beyond regularly contribute content on a variety of relevant topics.
Now in its 19th year, the Training Top 125 ranking is based on myriad benchmarking statistics and determined by assessing a range of qualitative and quantitative factors, including innovation and financial investment in employee development, the scope of development programs, and how closely such development efforts are linked to business goals and objectives. Other companies ranking in the Top 125 include Dollar General Corporation, LLC (#1); Best Buy (#3); Nationwide (#4), and BNSF Railway Co. (#5).
– Kate Reisinger to lead Member Services division. –
CHICAGO – (1/23/19) – Chicago-based Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) announced today that Kate Reisinger has been named Executive Vice President, Member Services. In this role, she will manage membership services for the global network of 565 independent real estate firms to ensure maximum engagement, performance and satisfaction from member brokerages.
Reisinger will oversee the core broker referral program, which generates over 30,000 member-to-member referrals annually, and will work closely with other members of the senior management team to develop and execute corporate strategy.
Reisinger is a seasoned real estate and relocation professional with more 13 years of experience. Most recently, she was Regional Director, Relocation and Client Development for a national franchise, where she managed the relocation and e-commerce division. Other experience includes serving as Vice President and Director of Relocation Services for a Chicago-area brokerage and as a Regional Director of Business Development for a relocation management company.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kate to our team,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma. “Her experience developing business opportunities is matched by her ability to develop strong relationships, making her an ideal choice to lead our talented membership services team in supporting the individual and collective success of our market-leading brokerages.”
An honors graduate of Marquette University, Kate is based in LeadingRE’s Chicago office and can be reached at +1 312-424-0400.
Perry & Co. team poses with members of the RQC review team outside the company’s Denver office.
CHICAGO, IL – (1/16/19) – Perry & Co. has been awarded the prestigious RELO® Quality Certification from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), a selective global network of market-leading independent real estate firms. The only program of its kind, the RELO® Quality Certification (RQC) quantifies and qualifies true relocation service excellence. Modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, it was created by LeadingRE to provide measurable standards for the pursuit of relocation excellence.
To receive the certification, Perry & Co.’s relocation department completed a rigorous and lengthy application process, overseen by a committee of leading industry professionals. All aspects of the company’s relocation operation were evaluated, using specific criteria to evaluate performance, staffing, training and education, quality and scope of services for relocation clients, program marketing, customer satisfaction, technology resources, office facilities, and more.
“We are pleased to award the RELO® Quality Certification to Perry & Co. and welcome them to the elite group of firms that have been awarded the RQC,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma. “Their relocation department has demonstrated a true commitment to delivering superior experiences for relocation clients and demonstrating true industry leadership.”
“It is a true honor for Perry & Co. to be recognized with the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® RELO® Quality Certification. To be one of only 27 real estate companies in the world that hold the RQC is a great accomplishment,” said Perry & Co. CEO Jon Larrance. “This achievement speaks to a commitment made by our people in 2009 to go beyond exceptional service, using the standards of the RQC as the guiding light by which all of our systems and procedures have been measured along the way.”
A locally-owned and operated real estate company serving Metro Denver, Colo., Perry & Co. has built a tradition of integrity, client service and satisfaction since 1971. For more information about Perry & Co.’s relocation services, contact Relocation Director Tim Nowak at 303-336-4702 or tnowak@perryandco.com.
– Global network leverages knowledge of international real estate expert Mike DelPrete to capitalize on market innovations. –
CHICAGO – (October 26, 2018) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has launched a multiplatform educational initiative directed at helping its member brokers align their value propositions in the midst of the new brokerage models entering the business.
Enlisting global real estate expert and author Mike DelPrete, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) is hosting a series of webinars for its member brokers exploring the new real estate models, using empirical data to better understand the implications of these new models on consumer behavior and agent productivity. Webinars will be held in regions around the world to address conditions unique to each area. In addition, online courses are being developed that explore elements of the various models, ranging from iBuyers to technology companies to virtual brokers.
According to LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma, the initiative is a natural progression for the global network and its member companies. “We are a collection of the world’s best brokerages, which all began as ‘start-up’ companies. And just like any good start-up, they keep their eyes on the latest trends. Our firms have always embraced innovation, and that is what has contributed to their enduring success. While some start-ups fail, ours found their success and continue to capitalize on it,” Boomsma said.
In today’s environment, that means being familiar not only with what these new competitors offer and what needs they are addressing for agents and consumers, but also paying close attention to claims about market share, technology offerings and more. As Boomsma notes, “With so much buzz in the industry about ‘disruptors,’ we need to focus on the facts, which is why Mike’s evidence-based approach to understanding and evaluating the competitive landscape will be especially valuable for our members.”
LeadingRE also keeps a pulse on current and future trends through its own global membership, which spans six continents. Events like its recent Global Symposium in Barcelona, Spain and Immersion Conference in Kuala Lumpur brought the opportunity for members to share first-hand insights. Members will gather again at the LeadingRE Conference Week, February 18-22 at Wynn Las Vegas.
Billy Ekofo and Jennifer Harding Named LeadingRE Vice Presidents, Business Solutions
CHICAGO – October 16, 2018 – Chicago-based Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) has named Billy Ekofo and Jennifer Harding, CRP, to its Member Services team as Vice Presidents, Business Solutions.
In this role, Ekofo and Harding will serve as business consultants for a defined group of LeadingRE member brokerages, focusing on understanding each company’s unique objectives and helping them be more successful through the utilization of LeadingRE’s extensive programs and services. They will also offer expertise on the trends impacting the real estate industry to help members continuously strengthen their value proposition, deliver a superior customer experience and ensure sales associates succeed at the highest levels.
Shortly after completing his MBA at The College of William & Mary, Ekofo began his career in real estate as a sales associate, eventually managing a real estate firm’s lead generation department. He later worked at Inman News as Director of Event Content, before returning to his former company to focus on office development and growth in key markets in the Virginia and Washington, D.C. area.
A licensed broker, Harding joined the industry as a sales associate and later advanced to the role of Vice President, Relocation, where she managed business development activities for a prominent independent brokerage. She holds the Certified Relocation Professional designation from Worldwide ERC® and is active in numerous industry groups, including serving as President Elect for the Building Industry Association.
“We are thrilled to welcome Billy and Jennifer to our team. Both bring exceptional industry experience and business acumen, while sharing our belief that strong relationships are at the foundation of our success,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma.
