Windermere Real Estate pushes family, community commitment

By BUCK WARGO

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Family and living should be at the center of an agent’s life, not real estate.

That’s the mantra of Windermere Real Estate, ranked No. 1 workplace among small companies.

Windermere recognizes agents based on their commitment to family and community, in addition to their production, said Robyn Yates, Windermere’s broker/owner. Agents donate a portion of their commissions to the Windermere Foundation, a nonprofit organization helping the homeless and low-income families.

Every year, all Windermere offices close their doors to aid the community in a service project for the Las Vegas Valley. Past projects include the cleaning and landscaping of public parks, playgrounds, schools, emergency shelters and community buildings, Yates said.

Community Service Day past recipients include SafeNest, Jaycee Seniors Community Center, Hinman Elementary School, Whitney Elementary School, Henderson Senior Center, City of Las Vegas Neighborhood Beautification, The Great Unconformity geological site, WestCare’s Stepping Stone Wing and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.

“I enjoy helping people fulfill their housing needs, and the financial reward is dependent on the amount of work you commit,” said one employee.

“It’s not just a workplace,” another employee said. “The people there genuinely care and it feels like family.”

“I help others with their dream,” another agent said.

In eight years, Windermere Real Estate has grown from its 14 founding agents to more than 100 agents with three branch offices in the valley. Windermere’s overarching aim has always has been to be better, not bigger, Yates said. This is apparent in its success as one of Las Vegas’ leading real estate firms in terms of overall sales volume, despite having a staff a fraction the size of its competitors. The company’s focus on sales is certainly important, but Windermere prefers that agents put clients’ interests before their sales goals, Yates said.

“I have grown my business more than I could have ever hoped for when I began working at Windermere,” said one agent. “I truly believe they care about their agents.”

To ensure their professional development, market exposure and market expertise, Windermere offers its agents individual websites professionally maintained, online forms and an online transaction filing system. Windermere enables agents to receive and send faxes through their phone or email, and a monthly publication offers agents, clients and the community the latest real estate news and market-specific expert analysis, Yates said.

Windermere Real Estate also offers education classes for pre license, post license and continuing education.

“It gives me the opportunity to have flexibility and control over my individual business direction and plan,” one agent said. “I’m part of the Windermere team, and I’m also the master of my own goals and success.”