The Most Powerful Person in Real Estate Is…

The Most Powerful Person in Real Estate Is…

The Most Powerful Person in Real Estate Is… Image courtesy of  photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Most Powerful Person in Real Estate Is… Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When it comes to influencers in residential real estate, no one was more powerful in 2013 than Realogy CEO Richard A. Smith, according to a new ranking of the 200 most powerful people in real estate by Stefan Swanepoel, who authors the Swanepoel TRENDS Report and Swanepoel TECHNOLOGY Report.

The first annual Swanepoel Power 200 list, co-edited by consultant Rob Hahn and billed as “the most comprehensive list of influential CEOs, thought leaders, and senior executives ever assembled in the residential real estate brokerage business,” bases its rankings on factors such as an individual’s tenure in the real estate business, the office he or she holds, the decision-making and financial power of the company, and how much significance the company has in the industry, among others.

“While there are others who have higher personal profiles within the industry, there is no doubt that none have more power and influence in almost every aspect of real estate than Smith,” SP200 said of its top pick, noting that Realogy owns top power brands such as Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and Sotheby’s International Realty.

Rounding out the top 10 most powerful people in real estate on SP200’s list are:

  • Ronald J. Peltier (No. 2)
    Chairman and CEO, HomeServices of America
  • Spencer Rascoff (3)
    CEO, Zillow
  • Gary W. Keller (4)
    Co-founder and chairman, Keller Williams Realty International
  • Dave L. Liniger (5)
    Co-founder and chairman, RE/MAX
  • Alexander E. Perriello, III (6)
    President and CEO, Realogy Franchise Group
  • Dale A. Stinton (7)
    CEO, National Association of REALTORS®
  • Pete Flint (8)
    Chairman and CEO, Trulia
  • Mark Willis (9)
    CEO, Keller Willis Realty International
  • Steven Berkowitz (10)
    CEO, Move, Inc.

Members of NAR’s executive and leadership teams joined Stinton on SP200’s list, including Senior Vice President Bob Goldberg (No. 34), Past President Gary Thomas (No. 39), SVP and Chief Lobbyist Jerry Giovaniello (No. 45), General Counsel Laurie Janik (No. 47)*, and 2014 President Steve Brown (No. 51).

Local and state association leaders were also represented on the list, including Bob Hale, CEO of the Houston Association of REALTORS® (No. 23); Joel Singer, CEO of the California Association of REALTORS® (No. 36); and Ed Barisa, CEO of the Ontario Association of REALTORS® (No. 125).

*Janik retired from NAR in November.

—source Graham Wood, REALTOR® Magazine