SP 200: A new leader rises to the top
The Swanepoel Power 200, the definitive ranking of the most powerful leaders in residential real estate, names a new No. 1 for 2023.
Key points:
- Gino Blefari, president and CEO of HomeServices of America, was named the most influential person in real estate.
- Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of Anywhere Brands, moved into the top 10 following a leadership change at Anywhere last month.
- Last year’s most influential executive, Gary Keller of Keller Williams Realty, is No. 2 this year.
It's been a tumultuous year for real estate. The industry weathered a market downturn, leadership changes, layoffs and falling profits — but the CEO of one of the most dominant companies in the industry steered his company through the storm, earning him the distinction of the No. 1 spot on the 2023 Swanepoel Power 200.
Gino Blefari, president and CEO of HomeServices of America, was named the most influential person in real estate on the 10th annual industry list.
Blefari called the recognition "extra special," noting that it fulfilled a decades-long goal. "I prepare an annual life plan — I've prepared one every year since 1989 when I was one of five partners at Contempo Realty," Blefari said. "A goal that I had written down in the form of an 'I am' affirmation back then was 'I am the most highly respected and influential real estate CEO in the world.' Thirty-four years later, I am honored and humbled to be recognized as #1 on the SP 200."
Created and published by T3 Sixty, the Swanepoel Power 200 is developed after countless hours of research, analysis and healthy debate. The ranking is based on eight different criteria to evaluate real estate executives, including achievements during the past 12-18 months, size and reach of the company they lead and overall influence in the industry.
"These exceptional leaders have a few things in common: a keen eye for hiring talent and a diligent focus on sustainable growth," said Stefan Swanepoel, executive chairman of T3 Sixty, in a news release announcing the results.
Blefari, who has led HomeServices of America since 2019, oversees a variety of brokerages under the HSoA banner, including Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. At the beginning of 2022, the company had more than 77,000 agents doing nearly $250 billion in annual sales.
It's the first time Blefari has topped the list, having been in the top 5 in recent years. Blefari made his debut on the list in 2013 at No. 54 when he was president and CEO of Intero Real Estate Services, which was acquired by HomeServices Inc. in 2014.
Gary Keller of Keller Williams Realty ranked second after having the top spot last year. Keller is a familiar face to the list, having been named one of the top five most powerful people in residential real estate for the past 10 years.
Glenn Sanford of eXp, Ryan Schneider of Anywhere Real Estate and Rich Barton of Zillow round out the top five.
Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of Anywhere Brands, is the highest-ranked female executive, filling the sixth spot. Yannaccone recently expanded her role within the company to include support of franchise and company-owned brokerage operations for all six of the Anywhere brands, now including Coldwell Banker. Previously, her role included oversight of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Corcoran, ERA and Sotheby's International Realty.
Other notable moves in the list include the highest-ranking Canadian executive, Phil Soper, president and CEO of Bridgemarq Real Estate landing, at No. 10. One of the biggest risers this year was Gavin Swartzman, CEO of Peerage Realty Partners. Swartzman moved up from No. 121 to No. 38, reflecting the company's massive growth, numerous acquisitions and significant sales volume growth.
Here are the top 25 leaders in real estate:
Gino Blefari, president and CEO, HomeServices of America
Gary Keller, co-founder and executive director, kwx
Glenn Sanford, founder and CEO, eXp World Holdings
Ryan Schneider, CEO and President, Anywhere Real Estate
Richard "Rich" Barton, co-founder and CEO, Zillow Group
Susan "Sue" Yannaccone, president and CEO, Anywhere Brands
Howard "Hoddy" Hanna III, Helen Hanna Casey & Howard "Hoby" Hanna IV, company leaders, Howard Hanna Real Estate
Robert Reffkin, co-founder and CEO, Compass
Andrew "Andy" Florance, founder and CEO, CoStar Group
Philip "Phil" Soper, president and CEO, Bridgemarq Real Estate Services
Nick Bailey, president and CEO, RE/MAX
Glenn Kelman, president and CEO, Redfin
Bob Goldberg, CEO, National Association of Realtors
OB Jacobi, Jill Jacobi Wood & Geoff Wood, managing partners, Windermere Real Estate
Kuba Jewgieniew, founder and CEO, Realty One Group
Jeremy Wacksman, chief operating officer, Zillow Group
Michael Golden & Thaddeus "Thad" Wong, co-founders and co-CEOs, At World Properties
Matt Widdows, founder and CEO, HomeSmart
Christy Budnick, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Philip White, Jr., president and CEO, Sotheby's International Realty
Pamela Liebman, president and CEO, Corcoran Group
Susan Daimler, president, Zillow Group
Sherry Chris, CEO, Anywhere Expansion Brands Portfolio
Michael Miedler, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate
Dan Duffy, CEO, United Real Estate Group
For the rest of the list visit sp200.com.
Note: Stefan Swanepoel is the founder of both Real Estate News and T3 Sixty, but Real Estate News has no involvement or influence in creating the SP 200.