In the April issue of RISMedia’s flagship publication, Real Estate magazine, we have published the findings of our 20th Annual Power Broker survey, a national ranking of the leading brokerage firms in our industry. Long regarded as the barometer of a firm’s success, the Power Broker Survey has historically attracted the participation of the very best our industry has to offer.
To be honest, however, I expected the number of respondents to be down this year, thinking brokers might hesitate to publicly post their 2007 numbers, which were somewhat-to-significantly down from years past.
But I should have realized Power Brokers are smarter than that. These firms know that the RISMedia Power Broker Survey provides an opportunity not to be missed-especially in a down market. By completing the survey and making our list, brokers are able to send a clear message to their peers, agents and consumers: real estate is alive and well, and their company is still in the race. What more important message could a broker deliver these days?
Our 20th Annual Power Broker Survey, therefore, witnessed almost 900 responses from brokerage firms around the country. While sales volume and transactions were down virtually across the board, the performance of so many in a very difficult marketplace was quite admirable.
Given the climate of today’s marketplace, we also felt it was critical to take a more in-depth look at how Power Brokers are conducting business and staying profitable. In RISMedia’s forthcoming White Paper, Power Brokers Confront a New Business Reality, we interview 30 of the country’s top Power Brokers. This paper drills down to uncover their strategies and approaches to the changing marketplace, and how they are preparing their companies for rough waters ahead. Find out more information on ordering this report by visiting rismedia.com.
While we are always impressed with the performance of our Power Brokers, we are even more so this year. To all you, my sincerest congratulations for a job well done and my heartfelt admiration for moving our industry forward in the face of adversity.
Wishing you continued success,
John Featherston