Inman presented awards to 12 individuals and companies at the 26th Annual Innovator Awards on Thursday, including Company of the Year, Brokerage Firm and Innovator of the Year awards. View the full list of winners.
Innovation is Inman’s DNA — that’s why we’re excited about August’s event Technology and Innovation Month. We’ll kick things off by expanding our scope to celebrate the companies and individuals driving the industry forward Inman Innovation Award exist Inman Connect Las Vegas. We then continue our celebration of the brightest minds in real estate all month long.
The 26th annual Inman Innovator Awards took place Thursday, with more than 80 individuals and companies recognized for their work in the face of unprecedented challenges through breakthrough products, trailblazing leadership, amazing teamwork and generous generosity. Awarded for efforts to improve the industry.
Co-founder and CEO Sean Soderstrom, home inspection software company Inspectify and cloud-based brokerage LPT Realty rounded out the top three awards for Innovator of the Year, Company of the Year and Most Innovative Brokerage of the Year, while Maui Real Estate Agents won won the Nate Ellis Award for his work in the wake of the 2023 Maui wildfires.
“We have an amazing list with so many crazy innovations,” Inman founder Brad Inman said before taking the stage to name the nominees. “Someone just said backstage that he’s never seen so much innovation in 25 years. If you’re a finalist, come on. Everybody’s a winner.
Innovator of the Year: Sean Soderstrom, Touted
Sean Soderstrom Proposal | Photo Credit: AJ Canaria Creative Services
In the less than four years since Courted was founded, Soderstrom has helped thousands of brokers and team leaders strengthen their recruitment and retention efforts by using artificial intelligence to analyze local market statistics and other key business metrics to identify opportunities for long-term success or If/when the team or top producers might leave.
Courted takes manual and outdated processes and brings them into the 21st century, helping agents make smarter, data-driven decisions in identifying emerging star agents before their competitors—a first in a consolidated industry Priceless asset. Don’t be surprised if Courted is acquired in the near future.
Company of the Year: Inspectify
Left to right: Katie Kossev, Side Texas Managing Broker; Gary Ashton, RE/MAX Advantage; Josh Jenson, CEO, Inspectify; Debra Beagle, RE Ashton Real Estate Group / MAX Advantage; Robert Palmer, CEO, LPT Realty; Eric Stegemann, CEO, Tribus; Sean Soderstrom; Brad Inman and others | Image source: AJ Canaria Creative Services
Home inspections are one of the most stressful parts of the home buyer’s and seller’s journey, and they have the power to make or break the deal. Home inspection platform Inspectify has spent the past five years improving processes through software-driven workflows that help inspectors move faster, standardize data, and alleviate challenges faced by buyers and sellers through unparalleled transparency.
Inspectify uses data and inventory intelligence to connect a home to its contents and major systems and provide an easy-to-understand inventory categorized from most to least important issues. The company has recently increased its focus on personal appliances and home systems insurance, which allows buyers to purchase a home with older items with the confidence that Inspectify will support the item’s functionality after purchase, significantly reducing risk moving forward. and uncertainty.
Most Innovative Brokerage: LPT Realty
LPT Realty founder and CEO Robert Palmer (middle) and others | Image source: AJ Canaria Creative Services
Florida-based LPT Realty quickly scaled its cloud brokerage business, reaching 10,000 agents in 24 states within two years. The brokerage provides marketing, technology and training services to agents for an annual fee of $500 and a trading fee of $195. Agents with LPT can also choose between two compensation plans – a rather attractive feature as the industry continues to undergo dramatic changes in commission policies.
The vision of LPT Realty founder and CEO Robert Palmers has begun to attract the attention of industry heavyweights, with former eXp chief growth officer Michael Valdes taking over the reins of LPT’s newly formed international division. “Robert is a true visionary and I am honored and humbled to join this impressive company,” Valdez said.
Read on for the full list of winners.
Most Innovative Agent or Team: The Ashton Real Estate Group, RE/MAX Advantage
Debra Beagle and Gary Ashton of Ashton Real Estate Group | AJ Canary Creative Services
Most Innovative Marketing or Branding Campaign: Homes.com Super Bowl Advertising Blitz
Inman Innovation Award Winner | AJ Canary Creative Services
The most innovative leading service solution: Fello
Host Katie Kosseff | Photo Credit: AJ Canaria Creative Services
The Most Innovative Marketing Solution: Realtor.com Listing Toolkit
Hosts Katie Kossev and Brad Inman | Photo Credit: AJ Canaria Creative Services
The most innovative customer experience solution: Solid Earth
Eric Stegemann, CEO, Solid Earth | AJ Canary Creative Services
The most innovative application of artificial intelligence: Sidekick
Michael Martin, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Sidekick | AJ Canary Creative Services
The Most Innovative Industry Podcast: Jason Abrams, Millionaire Realtor
Most Innovative Organization/MLS: Miami Association of REALTORS
Miami Association of REALTORS | Photo Credit: AJ Canaria Creative Services
Nate Ellis Award (Giving Back to the Community): Maui Realtors
Maui Realtors: Nura-Nal Andres, Tyler Coons, Brad Inman | Photo Credit: AJ Canaria Creative Services
Email Marianne McPherson
