Nearly 100 real estate firms from the United States and Canada have collaborated to launch Broker Resource Network (BRN), and is welcoming new brokers to join.
“There are many networks, interest groups and news sources for brokers in the industry today, whether you are a franchisee, an independent, a traditional broker, an alternative model, a single or multi-office, local, regional or even a national firm. But there is not a single organization that encompasses all groups and is focused exclusively on brokers,” said Kent Hanley, president of the Broker Resource Network.
The real estate industry has several associations and networks, but this group will focus on brokers, many of whom do not have access to an organization so focused on their specific role. The Broker Resource Network will connect brokers of all sizes, business models and affiliations, the organization said. Launched last month, BRN has enlisted the engagement and support of top brokerage leaders and industry experts across the real estate spectrum, all of whom are committed to helping connect brokers with each other and develop a wide variety of resources to support their success.
The BRN subscription includes exclusive access to private discussions with other brokerage leaders through “Peer Advisor Groups,” which offer information and sharing among brokerage leaders. Participants also receive each week at least one resource focused solely on company leaders, such as articles, research, analysis, benchmarking, webinars and newsletters. Subscriptions to the BRN are open to all brokerage owners and executives in the United States and Canada through an annual fee which includes direct access for up to six leaders from a bona fide real estate firm, including recruiting, marketing and technology leaders. Technology partners focused on the brokerage segment to provide foundational support for the organization.
“The best information I ever get is from another broker,” said Craig McClelland, vice president and COO of Better Homes & Gardens Metro Brokers. “BRN is primarily about connecting brokers directly to each other. It fills a gap, because currently there is no framework for brokers to connect across all brands and networks. For me, the other resources provided in the subscription are merely a bonus.”
The Broker Resource Network is the broker equivalent to the Council of MLS (CMLS) and the Association Executives Institute (AEI), which provide value to their respective segments of the industry.
“Our members tell me they have already begun to find the resources that are produced by this broker collaborative to be of unique value, and we expect our brokerage leaders will enjoy the added benefit from connecting with leaders of firms outside of our own network,” said Craig Cheatham, president and CEO of The Realty Alliance. “And we frequently receive requests from brokers who want to join The Realty Alliance, but who lack enough commonality with our current members to create mutual benefit. The Broker Resource Network instead appears to be a perfect fit for these brokers of all sizes and business models.”
