Despite the decline in the real estate market, IRN Realty is not only alive but is actually looking to grow in 2008. With many area real estate companies closing its doors or downsizing, this Southern California real estate company is thriving.
"In the first quarter of 2008, we've had an almost 25% increase in sales from last quarter and a substantial amount of new agents joining our office", said David Cheng, who founded the company in 1998.
In a time when foreclosures, short sales, and defaults dominate the news, the company offers a fresh breath of relief for both consumers and real estate agents. The management credits their success to their unique compensation system to their associates when they help a client buy or sell a home.
IRN Realty's agent-centered system pays associates 25% or more than their previous companies for making a sale. In a time when sales are harder to find, this can make a huge difference in an agent's income when they need it the most.
"We're very different from the traditional Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Re/Max offices. We focus on giving the agent more and in turn agents can use those additional resources to better serve their clients. That way, everyone's happy."
And that's not all. The company is looking for even more ways to help better service their clients. They currently have a mortgage department, offer commercial real estate services, and have just completed a new, more user-friendly website at http://www.irnrealty.com so home buyers can search for homes more effectively.
The company works especially hard to provide agents with the tools and facilities necessary to deliver better service to their clients. They offer over a hundred workstations across their three locations for them to use, each complete with phone, computer, and real estate contract software, all at no charge. Other companies charge agents a monthly fee for a phone and desk and are required to provide their own computers.
However, the company's dedication to the industry extends beyond its own agents. Currently, the company employs a policy that allows agents to roam to any of their three branch offices, enabling them to service a larger area. But they go even further, inviting agents from outside the company to use any of their offices, conference rooms, and computers if they happen to be servicing a client in the area.
"Many of the agents who come in to use our office while serving out of area clients end up actually joining after seeing how we operate. We're always open to everyone, no matter what company", he added.
These are only a few of the examples of why the company has grown so quickly. Since establishing the company in 1998, the company has gone from 7 real estate agents to over 500 at the beginning of 2008. Much of the growth can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the management team who stand by their belief that by providing more, the company will attract more and better people.
Today, the company continues to grow rapidly. In the first quarter of this year over 50 new real estate professionals joined IRN Realty from other companies, many from the Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Re/Max offices in the area. In 2008, the company hopes to reach 700 real estate professionals. And they might just do it.
