The world of real estate is constantly evolving. New technologies, new companies, and new people are all working to change the way we think about buying and selling houses and buildings. So who are the 10 most influential people in Real Estate? Here’s our list:
Dave Meinert
Dave Meinert is a Seattle-based entrepreneur, who has founded several successful businesses in the city. He is best known for his role as one of the founders of Lost Lake Cafe and Comet Tavern.
Meinert also owns numerous properties around Capitol Hill, including Neumos nightclub, Barboza music venue and Grim’s Gift Bazaar (which closed earlier this year). These properties have been recognised by local media outlets such as The Stranger as landmarks in Seattle’s cultural landscape.
In addition to being an active investor in real estate markets across Washington State, Meinert co-founded the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce with his wife Candace Faber in 2010 – an organisation that promotes small businesses within its neighbourhood via networking events and other initiatives like “shop local” campaigns during holidays such as Black Friday weekdays when many retailers are open later than usual so shoppers can take advantage of deals without having traffic jams caused by crowds outside stores’ doors
Redfin
Redfin is a real estate brokerage that operates online and uses agents to help customers find homes. Founded in Seattle in early 2000, Redfin has more than 80 offices nationwide and over 3,000 agents.
While the company started as an online-only service, it has grown into one of the largest independent brokerages in the United States by branching out into traditional home sales as well.
Josh Dorkin
Josh Dorkin is the founder of Curbed, a real estate and lifestyle website that covers topics ranging from home design to restaurants. He’s also the founder of Zumper, a rental search platform that was acquired by Zillow in 2017.
In 2008 Josh moved to New York City after graduating college and started working as a broker at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. A few years later he founded Curbed with Lockhart Steele (who went on to become editor-in-chief at Vox Media). In 2011 Josh sold Curbed for $20 million dollars; Zillow then bought it outright in 2013 for over $50 million dollars!
Andrew Turner
Andrew Turner is the founder of HomeUnion, a real estate marketplace for investors. He’s been in the business since 1999 and has been involved with several notable deals over the years. In 2011, he launched HomeUnion as an online marketplace for investing in residential mortgages, which helps people invest without having to go through banks or other traditional lenders.
Dolly Lenz
Dolly Lenz is a real estate agent who founded Dolly Lenz Real Estate, which currently has offices in Seattle and Los Angeles. She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, as well as a board member at Seattle Art Museum.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal due to her philanthropic efforts that support causes such as education, healthcare and environmental protection through organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska (RMHC).
Aaron Skolnik
Aaron Skolnik is a real estate broker and the founder of OpenDoor, an online marketplace that allows users to find and book short-term rentals directly from property owners. He’s also been involved in many other startups in the industry, including as an advisor to Airbnb, Zillow and Propy.
In 2018 Skolnik was named one of the top 100 most influential people in real estate by Commercial Property Executive magazine.
HomeUnion
HomeUnion is a real estate investment company that allows people to invest in single-family homes. It was founded in 2011 by two former Zillow employees, and has since amassed $100 million in assets under management. HomeUnion is based in Seattle, Washington.
Zillow Group
Zillow Group is a real estate media company, founded in 2006 by Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink. The company owns and operates multiple real estate-related brands and websites including:
- Zillow – The leading online destination for buying, selling and renting homes;
- Trulia – The next generation home search site;
- StreetEasy – An online hub for New York City apartment rental listings;
- HotPads – A comprehensive guide to renting in major metropolitan areas across the country;
The Corcoran Group & Brown Harris Stevens Realty
Corcoran Group is a real estate brokerage firm that was founded in New York in 1966. The company has become one of the largest residential real estate firms in the United States, with offices throughout New York City and satellite locations in other cities around the country.
Brown Harris Stevens Realty is a luxury residential real estate company based out of New York City. They have been named one of Forbes’ “Most Innovative Brands,” as well as one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
Trulia Inc. & Newmark Knight Frank
You may not have heard of Newmark Knight Frank, but you’ve probably seen their work. The commercial real estate brokerage firm has a hand in many of the biggest deals in the world, including some of the most expensive residential properties. In 2018, Trulia acquired Newmark Knight Frank for $2 billion–and now they’re one company.
Trulia is a real estate website that provides information on homes, neighborhoods and the real estate market. It was founded by Pete Flint and Sami Inkinen (who came up with his idea while running marathons). He wanted to help people find homes based on what was important to them–like how close it was to work or school–so he created an algorithm using public records about crime rate as well as school test scores (among other things) so users could search listings based on those criteria rather than just price range alone!