History of Windermere Professional Partners
November 20, 2011
In the late 1990’s, Windermere Professional Partners co-founders Jeff Jensen & Michael Robinson were competitors. Both were successful Realtors in the same office selling 100’s of houses in Pierce County. “We competed against each other in a friendly but driven fashion,” remembers Michael. “As time went on we began to attend training events together. We started sharing more of our thoughts on the business and how we planned to become better and sell more.”
Collaboration
What Jeff and Michael found was that the more they talked and shared ideas the more their businesses grew. By sharing and collaborating they did better! “We still had our individual production and our competitiveness was never too far below the surface,” says Michael. “But we celebrated each other’s successes. We learned and accomplished more by sharing.” As Jeff and Michael’s businesses grew, other motivated agents followed! “These early insights and conversations paved the way for a completely new vision and model of how a successful real estate company could operate. We weren’t interested in mediocrity,” says Jeff. “We were really ready to take it up a notch and have agents make selling homes a career not just a hobby!”
The lesson Jeff & Michael learned was when agents collaborate and share information- the result is more houses are sold more quickly and for more money. That simple idea has turned Windermere Professional Partners from a tiny office of four agents to a successful company with three geographic locations and more than 100 of the most talented, knowledgeable, top producing agents in Pierce County.
“Our company now has the most productive agents in Pierce County on a per-capita basis” says Jeff. “This is an office of agents who think on their feet, spend money marketing, operate as independent business owners, and work hard to tailor a home marketing plan to meet their individual client needs.”
Working Hard and Giving Back
Windermere Professional Partners agents have a higher than average involvement rate in local Real Estate industry and community organizations. The agents from WPP are out in their communities organizing and participating in service events, boards participation and community causes. Their focus is to make the community they serve a better place to call home.
I have a tremendous amount of pride when I look out over the group and see the agents and staff working together. Each and every one of them brings their own sense of ownership to the company. None of them are the same, but we have a shared vision and a common bond TO SERVE and that feeling is emotional – Kevin Mullin, Windermere Managing Broker/Owner
Windermere Professional Partners Agent’s extraordinary achievements have been repeatedly recognized by their peers. Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtor’s coveted Rookie of The Year Award has been bestowed on a Windermere agent 2 out of the past 3 years. Agents in the office have served local and state boards, been presidents of the association, and traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of Realtors and homeowners in our state.
A Culture of Top Selling Agents working together…Now #1 in Pierce County
Co-Founders Jeff & Michael realized early on that to realize their vision of collaboration amongst agents, they had to reexamine conventional ideas about traditional real estate offices.
The first step was reducing and sometimes eliminating closed or private offices and replacing them with an open concept office that encourages interaction and cooperation amongst agents. “Homes can’t be sold if no one knows about them.” says owner Kevin Mullin. “We promote good listings, share valuable information and celebrate success to each other. We promote houses even if it is not our listing personally, so when you hire WPP Realtor you’re not just hiring one, but all 100.”
“The level of collaboration in this office never ceases to amaze me,” says WPP Realtor Amy Lowry. “The fact that the agents in this office consistently provide guidance, assistance, and share their knowledge with each other is priceless! I am reminded everyday that I am a better Realtor BECAUSE I am at Windermere Professional Partners!”
This commitment to collaboration has resulted in Windermere Professional Partners continuing to grow through a very challenging real estate market of recent years. In 2010 the company achieved their goal of having the highest number of successfully closed transactions of any company in Pierce County. Month after Month, Windermere Professional Partners continues to sell more homes than any other real estate company.
“It makes me proud to know that our collective reputation is shaped everyday by agents working hard and sharing those original values.” says Michael. “The energy is positive and we all benefit.”