Recruiting Success in 2007, Independent Model’s Appeal is Growing

RISMEDIA, Dec. 20, 2007-Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) announces that it recruited nearly half of its new sales associates in 2007 from the ranks of national franchise organizations. The return of these companies to local/regional branding signifies the strength of the independent business model and builds on recruiting successes from the past several years. The network recruited nearly 50 firms in 15 states and 12 countries in 2007, bringing its total number of affiliates to 700 companies with 5,600 offices and 170,000 associates in 35 countries around the globe.

“We have been gratified by the interest in our network and support from prominent companies that had previously been with national franchise organizations for many years,” said Pam O’Connor, president/CEO of LeadingRE. “These companies have realized the freedom and flexibility afforded to them as independents. LeadingRE offers its members this autonomy, as well as access to global marketing, recruiting, technology and other LeadingRE business resources.”

In the past three years, LeadingRE says that it has added nearly 20 former franchise firms to its ranks, with nearly 150 offices and 4,300 associates, including companies from Prudential, Coldwell Banker, ERA and GMAC. In addition, the network has recruited nearly 125 offices and 1,200 associates from former Sotheby’s affiliates that opted not to franchise.

LeadingRE’s new members span the globe, from places such as Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Scotland, Singapore, Switzerland, and Thailand.

“Our expansion into the luxury market, with the first real estate Web site, LuxuryPortfolio.com, to offer translation into eight languages and 22 currencies, has definitely been a factor in our global growth,” said Ruth Ann Pepple, LeadingRE’s network services president. “Our members also have access to our international member industry conferences in Dublin, Ireland, and Valencia, Spain, with another pending in Rome in 2008, which offer a forum for real estate professionals from around the globe to come together and discuss industry trends and the state of the market.”

In the United States, LeadingRE has members in 49 states, with representation in nearly 15,000 communities and has comprehensive coverage in all of the top 50 markets.

For more information, visit www.LeadingRE.com.