Inman News has compiled a list of the 100 most influential people in real estate, reflecting the industry’s best and brightest, as well as outside figures whose actions influence the home buying and selling business. The people on this list embody words like leadership, innovation, ingenuity, power and persistence. Before compiling this year’s list, we gathered nominations from readers and pared down hundreds of names to these 100 with these words in mind.
The list is broken into six categories, with an added “notables” section:
Brokerage: These luminaries have made waves in the residential real estate brokerage business. Some are renowned industry speakers, some are heads of top brokerage companies, and others are founders of brokerages using alternative business models.
Technology and Online Real Estate: Technology and the Internet continue to play increasingly important roles in the business of real estate. The people in this category have made contributions and continue to lead in this segment, either with an online business platform or a technology system that’s changed the way industry professionals conduct business.
Trade Association and Government Agencies: The association forerunners have made impressions within real estate trade organizations that stretch beyond membership and into the industry as a whole. In addition, we included leaders from government agencies who’ve made outstanding contributions to real estate.
Media Heavyweights: Every stroke of these folks’ keyboards is heard throughout the nation as they sit down to write their real estate columns or develop the latest issue of a top real estate publication. There’s no doubt that these publishers and journalists extend influence over consumers and the real estate industry.
Economists, Academics and Advocates: When economists talk real estate, people stop and listen, and journalists use these economic predictions throughout the year. This category also includes the academics who research important real estate issues, as well as advocates who’ve fought for real estate causes, for better or worse.
Mortgage and Ancillary Services: Without the mortgage and ancillary services segments, there would be no home selling business. These folks are not your average loan or title company executives. Some are chief executives from the largest financial services companies in the world, while others are pioneering technologists who’ve made their mark on the mortgage business.
Notables: It’s a shame we had to limit the list to 100, so we managed to squeeze these folks into a bonus, off-the-charts “notables” section.
CLICK HERE to view and/or download the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders: 2006
