On August 19th, Barry Bergner represented SeattlebyDesign at the Northern California Sotheby’s International Realty Networking Event, along with Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Owners Dean and Stacy Jones and a collection of brokers. Representing the Pacific Northwest region, we were among an estimated 225 attendees at the all-day symposium held at the historic Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, CA.
The events kicked off with a warm welcome from Andrew Greenwell, CEO and Principal of Venture Sotheby’s International Realty, who is also the star of BRAVO’s hit realty TV show Million Dollar Listing San Francisco. Greenwell acknowledged the many affiliates who had traveled from as far away as Seattle and Hawaii, noting the importance of referrals and feeder markets. He also introduced Fran Santangelo, VP Global Operations for Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC, who flew in from New Jersey, along with Wendy Purvey, Chief Marketing Officer.
Santangelo provided an impressive update on the growth of the Brand around the world, which now includes more than 17,000 sales associates in 800+ offices across 61 countries and territories. Citing a recent report by REALTrends, he said Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates represented 75 of the 250 top producers in the US for individual average sales price – more than twice the number of the second largest brand on the list. He also said 31 affiliated teams made the list, showcasing the Brand’s dominance in the US for luxury home sales. He pointed out that the Bay Area affiliates have already sold more than $4.5 billion year to date 2015 with an incredible average sales price of $1.385 million.
“Look at the hundreds of technology companies located throughout the Silicon Valley and now think about the standouts,” said Santangelo. “This is what Sotheby’s International Realty is doing in real estate – we are defining the luxury segment in our industry.”
Santangelo likewise noted that though Sotheby’s was established in 1744 and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the company remains extremely progressive and credits its success to evolving over time. By example, he pointed to several recent announcements by Sotheby’s CEO Tad Smith, such as a partnership with eBay to list select auction lots, merging the auction and the real estate company interests in a new publication called ART + HOME Magazine, and Sotheby’s recent acquisition of a 25% stake in RM Auctions to target car collectors.
Purvey provided an insightful update on the numerous exclusive marketing platforms that Sotheby’s International Realty enjoys worldwide. She illustrated the Brand’s market dominance in global visibility online, driving more than 1 million unique viewers each month to SIR.com, eclipsing the competition by a broad margin. Purvey also said July 2015 was the Brand’s best month ever, closing more than 10,000 transactions worldwide. In 2014, the US operations was responsible for 87,000 transactions grossing more than $70 billion in home sales with an average sales price of $800,000.
“We are in the most globally relevant media worldwide,” said Purvey. “Our competitors can’t say that.”
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