Windermere Real Estate is a real estate company founded in 1972 and based in Seattle, Washington.[1] It is a privately held company and is the largest regional real estate company in the Western U.S., with over 300 offices and 6,500 agents.[2]
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real Estate |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | John Jacobi |
| Headquarters | Seattle |
Number of locations | 300 |
Key people |
|
| Services |
|
Number of employees | 7000 |
| Website | windermere |
History
Windermere Real Estate was founded by John W. Jacobi in 1972, when he purchased an eight-agent office in Seattle, Washington.[1] It grew outside Seattle in 1984 with an office on Bainbridge Island.[3] As of 2019[update], Windermere had offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Utah, Alaska, Mexico,[4] and Colorado.[5] All Windermere offices are locally owned and operated.
In 1989, the company created the Windermere Foundation to support low-income and homeless children and families throughout its footprint. A portion of every commission on a real estate transaction is donated directly to the Foundation in addition to other fundraisers held at office, regional, or company-wide events, including an annual Community Service Day.[2]
In 2010, Windermere created Windermere Solutions, a web platform for agents.[6] Windermere Solutions rebranded as MoxiWorks in 2014 and began operating independently of Windermere Real Estate.[7] In 2015, Windermere partnered with Porch.com to integrate their data with MoxiWorks.[8]
On March 12, 2013, Windermere announced that it would add drive times to and from work as an attribute of new home buying.[9] According to INRIX, Windermere is the first real estate company to offer this feature.[10] On August 9, 2013 Windermere added Search by Drive Time as a new home buyer feature to its website.[11]
In 2016, Windermere Real Estate entered a three-year agreement to be the "Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks".[12] In November 2016, Windermere launched the "W" Collection, a luxury residential real estate brand for houses priced over $3 million.[13] The "W" Collection was an extension of the company's Premier Properties program.[13]
In 2006, D'Ambrosio & Associates Realtors joined Windermere as a subsidiary.[14] In 2018, Windermere Real Estate acquired a 50 percent stake in West Coast Commercial Realty, a Seattle-based commercial real estate firm.[15]
Geoff P. Wood, the son-in-law of founder John Jacobi, became president of the Windermere Real Estate Company in 1999.[1] He was promoted to CEO in 2003 and became co-president in 2007.[16] Jill Jacobi Wood, daughter of John Jacobi, was appointed President of Windermere Real Estate Company in 2003.[17] In 2009, OB Jacobi, John Jacobi's son, was appointed co-president.[1] As of 2007, John Jacobi served as chairman of the board for Windermere Real Estate Company after ceasing participation in day-to-day operations.[16]
In 2017, Windermere appointed its first COO, Brooks Burton.[18]
Philanthropy and awards
In 1987, Windermere Real Estate sponsored the first Windermere Cup, a crew race in the Montlake Cut of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which became an annual event. In 2002 the company began sponsoring the Cascade Cup.[19]
In 1989, the company established The Windermere Foundation to support low-income and homeless families. The foundation won the Corporate Philanthropy Award in 2018 from the Portland Business Journal.[20]
In 2003, Windermere launched a program called Home For The Holidays, which pays one year's rent for seven families in the Puget Sound Region.[21]
In 1999, Windermere Real Estate received the Washington Family Business of the Year Award (Large Business) from the Pacific Lutheran University Family Enterprise Institute.[22]
In 2008, Windermere Real Estate was named the "Top Private Company" by Washington CEO magazine.[1] In 2013, Windermere was awarded the Succession Award from Seattle Business Magazine.[23] In 2015, Inman nominated Windermere for their Most Innovative Real Estate Company award.[24]
References
External links
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