Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS is the largest independent real estate brokerage in Philadelphia. With three offices and 80 licensed agents, this company has grown substantially and sustainably for almost two decades. In 1993, Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS was formed from two northwest Philadelphia firms with a few dozen agents. Since then, through a combination of intensive training programs and personal recruiting, strategic expansion and unparalleled agent support, EWR has developed a reputation as an ideal place for REALTORS to build their business throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.

Twice each year Paul Walsh, Managing Partner, and Louise D’Alessandro, founding Partner, sit down and review the schedule for EWR’s New Agent Training Class. Every week for the next 12 weeks, they’ll teach a carefully selected group of newly hired agents from a curriculum they’ve developed based on their own 30-plus years of experience. The program extends well beyond the required classes taught at real estate schools for the licensing test. Walsh and D’Alessandro review contracts and law, state and company policies and procedures, and then delve into inspection contingencies, financing and title insurance. Invited guest speakers, experts in their own field, take the new agents through mock home inspections and settlements.

“But it’s more than just nuts and bolts,” says Walsh. “We give them the technical knowledge and then we introduce them to real estate as a business.” This includes marketing strategies, use of technology, lead generation and relationship management. 

The class is intensive and successful – and fun. The company quickly realized that the training was the first step for the new Realtors in building relationships within the company and fostering a unique community feel. Walsh explains, “Since the inception of this training program, we haven’t had an agent go through the class and leave for another brokerage. They make strong connections with each other in training, professionally and personally.”

The turnover at Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS is low; the average tenure for agents is high. New licensees often pair with experienced agents, benefiting from a mentoring relationship and bringing new skills and ideas to a team. The newer agents are often younger and offer enthusiasm and social media savvy that complements the sales expertise of seasoned professionals.

While the owners of Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS cultivate new agents, they actively recruit experienced agents in the real estate community. Last year Asher Kahn, of Asher Kahn Realty and exclusive listing agent for the Murano condominium development at 21st and Market Streets, joined EWR as the sales manager for the Rittenhouse Square office at 2000 Pine Street. He brought with him 10 years of sales experience and a team of on-site agents. He chose Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS because “The future is wide open for Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS with the great team members that we have here. The culture of EWR was a natural extension of my real estate practice and I felt the resources and relationships that EWR offers were of great benefit to my clients, staff and other affiliations.” The resources he refers to include in-house marketing and IT departments, a high ratio of professional support staff to agents, a title insurance company and dedicated mortgage brokers. Four Broker-Owners (Walsh, D’Alessandro, Bob Elfant and Larry DiFranco) work full-time supervising and supporting the agents. “Many of the agents who come from the more corporate real estate companies tell us they felt like a number,” says D’Alessandro, “and the individual attention we are able to provide the agents as a locally owned and operated firm stands out.”

“I’m proud of the service we offer to the agents,” says Katey McGrath, Director of Operations. “Their success is our success, and the management and staff work hard to give them the tools they need to build their business.” The company stays ahead of the curve, with innovative uses of technology both for marketing properties and managing their business. They were one of the first in the city to use QR codes on signs, for example, and are switching to cloud-based document storage and paperless transactions.

All of this combines to make Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS an attractive choice for new and experienced agents in Philadelphia. “Although we are no longer that small ‘mom and pop’ organization, EWR retains a family feel,” says Bob Elfant. “We maintain that culture with community involvement and service, company picnics and bowling nights, even a book club. We have fun. And we sell a lot of real estate.”

For more information about becoming part of Philadelphia’s leading independent brokerage, call or email Paul Walsh in the Chestnut Hill Office (215-247-3600, paul@ewrhomes.com), or Asher Kahn in the Rittenhouse Square Office (215-893-9920, asher@ewrhomes.com).