The year 2021 began with mass economic uncertainty, particularly in regard to real estate sales. However, it proved to be a banner year for Brown Harris Stevens. Our agents' sales volume increased over 100% from the previous year, propelling Brown Harris Stevens (Terra Holdings) to #2 on the Real Estate Almanac's Top Enterprises Rankings.
"BHS has the best agents and international partners entrenched in key markets across the globe. For us, the business of home is personal, and we do not waver from our commitment to our clients. That's why we have been leading the industry for nearly 150 years and continue to surpass competitors that are more than triple our size." -- CEO Bess Freedman
The recognition underscores the power of our exceptional agents, particularly given the fact that BHS was able to surpass much larger, publicly held competitors. To celebrate and reflect on our achievements, we asked several BHS sales directors what they attribute our firm's success to. Here is what they had to say.
“The foundations for a successful business have always been paramount at BHS. We run BHS with the agents in mind and see ourselves as a family. When real estate markets turn, our agents prove time and again that they are knowledgeable, hardworking, and know their craft. At the end of the day I think our success is attributable to building on our core relationships and values." -- Itzy Garay, Senior EVP/Managing Director of Sales (Brooklyn)
"With all the challenges that came with this shifting market, we can attribute our success rate to our unparalleled dynamism. We effectively assessed the changes in the market and swiftly embraced them. Access to information and light-speed negotiations can only be achieved through highly knowledgeable and extremely connected agents, and that is what we have at BHS. We are connected, and we connect with the well-connected!" -- Sebastian Vallejo, Managing Director (Miami Beach)
"Amazing results occur when you have the most knowledgeable people in the industry, as well as when preparation coincides with market opportunity." -- Phillip O'Connell, Executive Managing Director (Hamptons)
"I strongly believe the success of Brown Harris Stevens is really attributed to our incredible agents’ ability to adapt to the current real estate conditions--and our executive and marketing staff’s creative and solution-driven thinking really goes above and beyond. It is truly a team effort with the end goal of finding the best home or the best price for our clients--and our passionate efforts speak to our success. Brown Harris Stevens’ longevity in the real estate marketplace truly shows in the satisfaction of our clients, who come back to us time and time again. We are so proud to be the leaders of our industry!" -- Alison Hewitt, Director of Sales (Connecticut)
"I am not surprised by the success of Brown Harris Stevens. The superior brand identity, coupled with the professionalism and expertise of our agents, is the reason for this wonderful success. I expect that we will continue to serve our clients in an exemplary manner and have continued success in 2022 and beyond." -- Sandy Wilson, EVP and Managing Director of Sales and Leasing (Harlem and Riverdale)
