Every year, RealTrends chooses GameChangers based on five-year, transaction side percentage data from the RealTrends 500. This year, we chose seven independent brokerage firms and 10 franchises who grew their businesses at astronomical rates.
In analyzing this list of top-growth brokerages, these GameChangers grew their brokers in multiple different ways. From mergers and acquisitions to recruiting and coaching and retention.
Mike Golden and Thad Wong, co-CEOs and co-founders of @properties and Christie’s International Real Estate grew their brokerage by 147% between 2017-2021 by percentage transaction sides, earning the title of 2022 RealTrends GameChangers.
RealTrends spoke with Mike Golden about the company’s growth:
Tracey Velt: What was your biggest aha moment or lesson learned while building your firm?
Mike Golden: I don’t think we can specify one “aha” moment. We have always believed that innovation is critical to our growth, so we are constantly learning and adapting to the market in order to stay ahead, while staying true to our company culture and values.
Tracey Velt: In the past five years, what percentage of your growth was organic (recruiting or increasing agent productivity) and what percentage was M&A?
Mike Golden: Over the past five years — and really throughout our existence as a company — the overwhelming majority of our growth has been organic. And, even the companies that we’ve acquired have grown organically since we’ve made those investments. It has always been our philosophy to grow by attracting, nurturing and retaining great agents vs. buying agents or buying companies.
Tracey Velt: Moving forward, what is your main focus for growth?
Mike Golden: We will continue to focus on identifying great, independent operators in top markets and providing them with the marketing, technology, agent training programs and other key resources that will help them not only compete with, but outclass, large corporate brokerage brands. We have two great platforms to enable this in @properties and Christie’s International Real Estate.