In the expansive and dynamic field of North American residential real estate, leadership plays a critical role. The decisions made by industry executives influence not only billions of dollars in annual sales but also shape market direction, consumer confidence, technological advancement, and professional standards. Recognizing this, T3 Sixty introduced the Swanepoel Power 200 (SP 200; sp200.com) in 2014, the first and only comprehensive annual ranking of the most powerful executives in residential real estate brokerage.
The SP 200 is not a promotional vehicle, vanity project, or advertising platform. Placement on the list cannot be purchased, influenced by client relationships, or granted through sponsorship. It is the product of months of in-depth research, proprietary data analysis, and extensive benchmarking. The ranking process involves a detailed examination of leadership tenure, organizational scope, market performance, and industry influence, making it one of the most respected and widely cited leadership evaluations in the real estate sector.
A True Ranking of Power and Influence
Prior to the launch of the SP 200, the real estate industry saw occasional “most influential” lists published by various organizations, notably the Inman 100 and RISMedia’s Newsmakers. However, these lists were typically unordered, lacking transparent criteria or comprehensive industry coverage.
The SP 200 introduced a rigorous methodology and annual cadence. Since 2014, T3 Sixty has analyzed approximately 2,000 leaders each year, producing a ranked list of the 200 most powerful individuals in residential real estate brokerage. This includes executives from brokerage firms, franchise organizations, MLSs, REALTOR® associations, technology companies, and real estate holding companies.
Methodology
The compilation of the SP 200 is both methodical and exhaustive. Each year, a team of seven senior T3 Sixty analysts invests nearly 500 hours evaluating candidates. While nine evaluation categories are considered, three primary criteria anchor the process:
1. Organizational Power and Strategic Influence – Evaluates an executive’s decision-making authority, capital control, and ability to shape industry direction.
2. Peer Reputation and Industry Impact – Draws on qualitative feedback from T3 Sixty’s consulting engagements and proprietary research network.
3. Operational Scope and Market Reach – Considers company size, transaction volume, agent count, and relative sector performance.
Additional considerations include ownership or equity stake, access to financial resources, and leadership in innovation or structural transformation. Quantitative performance data—such as audited transaction counts and sales volume—are benchmarked alongside qualitative assessments to provide a multidimensional view of power and leadership.
The SP 200 accepts no advertising, sponsorship, or lobbying and maintains complete editorial independence, distinguishing it in an industry where commercial interests frequently intersect with recognition.
Recognized Leaders
Over the years, the SP 200 has identified and documented many of the industry’s most influential figures—individuals whose decisions have shaped national policy, consumer expectations, and the real estate business model.
Top 5 Executives on the 2025 SP 200:
1. Robert Reffkin – Co-founder and CEO of Compass, which in 2024 remained the largest U.S. brokerage by annual sales volume ($231 billion in 2024), driven by aggressive expansion and capital investment.
2. Glenn Sanford – Founder, CEO, and Chairman of eXp World Holdings, parent of eXp Realty, the largest U.S. brokerage by transaction sides, and tallying up $152 billion in annual sales in 2024.
3. Ryan Schneider – President and CEO of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., the largest residential real estate holding company by agent count (186,000), sales volume, and transaction sides. Key brands include Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby’s International Realty.
4. Gary Keller – Co-founder and Executive Chair of Keller Williams Realty, the nation’s largest franchise brand by agent count (145,042), transaction sides (828,875), and 2024 sales volume ($370.8 billion).
5.Gino Blefari – President and CEO of HomeServices of America, the fourth-largest brokerage in the U.S. with $262.5 billion in 2024 sales. Blefari is also CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise brand.
These leaders have not only overseen some of the industry’s largest organizations but have also led innovation, challenged legacy structures, and helped define the next generation of real estate leadership.
Shaping the Industry
Since its launch, the SP 200 has redefined how the residential real estate industry understands power, responsibility, and leadership. By providing a transparent, research-driven framework, the ranking has brought clarity to an industry often characterized by fragmentation and regional variability. Its credibility stems from its rigorous methodology and independence from external influence.
The SP 200 is the brainchild of Stefan Swanepoel, who has led the effort since its inception. Although a recognized industry strategist and analyst in his own right, Swanepoel has chosen not to include himself or any T3 Sixty executives in the rankings—a decision that reinforces the list’s objectivity and integrity.
Complementary Thought Leadership
The SP 200 is part of the Real Estate Almanac (realestatealmanac.com) and a much broader suite of industry research created by Swanepoel and analysis published by T3 Sixty, including:
The Swanepoel Trends Report – A 200+ page annual research publication (since 2006) analyzing the most important structural, technological, and business trends.
The DANGER Report (2015) – Commissioned by the National Association of REALTORS®, this landmark risk assessment identified 50 potential threats to the industry.
The Real Estate Almanac – A five-part annual definitive 300+ page compendium introduced in 2020, covering leadership, brokerage, MLS, association, and technology sectors.
An understated but profound author, Stefan Swanepoel’s career began in 1983 in South Africa. After immigrating to the United States in 1994, he founded T3 Sixty in 1997 and has built a reputation of unwavering integrity, impartiality, and commitment to elevating the real estate industry through objective, research-driven leadership.
He has authored more than 50 books and reports and has earned bestseller status from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon, as well as accolades including the NAREE Gold Award and a Silver Medal from the Axiom Business Book Awards.
In a competitive and rapidly evolving industry, understanding who truly holds power—and how that power is exercised—has become essential. The SP 200 delivers that understanding, grounded in data, refined through analysis, and guided by an unwavering commitment to objectivity.
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