Dayton Daily News: At Glasshouse Realty Group, majority of offices managed by females
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS: At Glasshouse Realty Group, majority of offices managed by females
Glasshouse Realty Group is a full-service real estate brokerage firm headquartered in Dayton. With 11 Ohio locations, 10 of those offices are managed by women.
According to Kari Abitbol, the vice president of communications and marketing with Glasshouse, the brokerage has experienced tremendous growth over the past four years.
“Glasshouse launched a formal commercial real estate division this summer,” Abitbol said. “It is anticipated to net roughly $35-$50 million in new sales volume by the end of 2025.”
Considering how challenging the real estate market has been since 2020, this is no small feat. But together the women who manage the offices represent a real powerhouse.
Lisa Goris MayMay has managed the Centerville office since January of 2020. A licensed Realtor since April of 2003, she said she started in real estate as a whim when a childhood friend asked her to join her for classes.
“Despite holding a manager position at the time at a retirement community and raising three children, I said yes,” May said. “I already worked with contracts, housing and sales and loved it.”
May said loves working with clients and matching buyers with homes they love.
“I chose Glasshouse when they were just getting started,” May continued. “I did my homework and decided after meeting the founders, Mo Zahedi and Even Kloth, to leave my first and only job after 16 years to join Glasshouse.”
Dawn CordleCordle is the operations and office manager for Glasshouse’s Oregon District office, joined the firm in 2019 after building a six plus year career in real estate. She said she “fell” into the business after working for investors who purchased homes for cash. “They asked me to get my license so I could list their properties,” Cordle said. “A month later, they had to lay me off. I had no real plan, but I knew I wanted to continue the real estate journey.”
Cordle met May, whom she considers a mentor, while they both worked for another brokerage firm. They spoke often about other firms they could join but Cordle said they kept coming back to Glasshouse Realty Group.”
“We made the switch in 2019 and never looked back,” Cordle said.
Brandi LawsonLawson is the manager for the Piqua Office and joined Glasshouse in April of this year. With a decade in the industry, she said since her mother was a broker, she “basically grew up in the real estate business.”
“Glasshouse is the complete package,” Lawson said. “I have the freedom to run my office, support from three amazing brokers whenever I need it, tools to help me grow a successful real estate business and a team that both challenges and inspires me.”
Colleen MaidenMaiden is the manager of the Huber Heights office and joined in April of this year. She decided to transition to Glasshouse because she “appreciated their energy.”
“I was ready to step into a manager role,” Maiden said. “I’m excited to be part of this next growth chapter at Glasshouse.”
These women all agree that the real estate industry is not without serious challenges, especially now.
“The market we have experienced the past few years has made it difficult to find my clients homes that check all their boxes and don’t have multiple offers already on the table,” Cordle said. “I’ve had to think outside the box and be creative because I know real estate is a way to touch people’s lives in a unique way. Being part of this journey is such an honor.”
May agreed to join Glasshouse and shortly before her daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia in late 2019.
“My glasshouse family helped put together our new office while I was in Columbus caring for my daughter and my family,” May said. “When I made the move to the new location, the freshness of the brokerage completely re-energized me.”
Maiden said she continues in her real estate career because she has always loved helping people.
“There are always hiccups in every transaction,” she said. “But I work at 110% capacity for my clients to get them to the finish line.”
Lawson agreed, saying she thinks of it as a “true calling.” Every stage of life brings challenges, but she works hard to help people no matter where they are in their journeys.
“This work sets my soul on fire,” Lawson said.
Considering a career in real estate? May said Realtors should focus on doing the right thing at all times.
“At Glasshouse, we are not just building a brand, but also a family of like-minded people who know how to do the job honorably every time,” she said.
All agree that becoming successful in real estate is demanding work and Cordle recommends finding a mentor to help. The “key” she said, is being able to connect with people and having a passion to help them fulfill their dreams.
Lawson believes that coming into the field, one must possess “true grit.”
“Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to other agents who are in different places in their journeys,” she said. “We all have the secret sauce inside of us. It just takes time to figure it out.”
FEMALE GLASSHOUSE OFFICE MANAGERS
Dawn Cordle, Realtor; Operations / Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Oregon District Office
Paige Denlinger, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Beavercreek Office
Lisa Goris May, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Centerville Office
Colleen Maiden, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Huber Heights Office
Kellan Oxley, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Hyde Park (Cincinnati) Office
Missy Sansabrino, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Kettering/Oakwood Office
Brandi Lawson, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Piqua Office
Nikki Loudenback, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Sidney Office
Nicole Harris, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Springfield Office
Xanni Burton, Realtor; Office Manager, Glasshouse Realty Group - Wilmington Office
Glasshouse opens new office in downtown Wilmington, Ohio
On August 24, 2024, Glasshouse Realty Group opened the doors to its newest office location in Wilmington, Ohio. Area agents, residents, business leaders and local dignitaries gathered in the new space, located in the historic Coca-Cola building in downtown Wilmington, and enjoyed a festive event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in partnership with the Wilmington-Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
The office is anchored by the LUX Elite Group, led by licensed agent and Wilmington native Xanni Burton and her team of agents Laura Long, Amanda Fife, and Lauren Stroud. Glasshouse is actively hiring new agents to join the Wilmington team and anticipates expanding the new office space in the near future.
Check out this video to meet Xanni Burton and get a behind-the-scenes look at the office:
Ask A Broker: What is the NAR ruling all about?
Glasshouse Realty Group is excited to launch our new “Ask a Broker” video series where one of our three brokers will answer anything you want to know about buying, selling, investing and the market at large. Stay tuned for a new video release every few weeks.
In our debut video, broker/owner Mo Zahedi addresses what this year’s NAR ruling is all about, along with three key takeaways:
The NAR (National Association of Realtors) settlement was decided earlier this year – and went into effect this August
It reinforces that realtor compensation is always negotiable
And it mandates that compensation arrangements be discussed before agents can show any homes
Here’s what Mo had to say:
And watch the full video here to learn more: https://youtu.be/XDwR11_IZMw
Dayton Business Journal: Dayton executive sells stake in brokerage, joins new real estate firm
(Click here to read the story in the Dayton Business Journal.)
Tom Kretz is Glasshouse Realty Group’s new vice president of commercial real estate. Kretz actively sells across all commercial asset classes and property types including retail, office, medical, industrial, restaurant, multi-family, hotel, development land and more.
After selling stake in Dayton’s second largest real estate brokerage, a well-known Dayton executive is moving on to help a fast-growing real estate firm continue its growth.
Glasshouse Realty Group recently hired Tom Kretz, former Irongate Inc. Realtors executive vice president and partner, to the role of vice president of commercial real estate. Under Kretz’s leadership, the firm will jump start a new commercial division.
Kretz joined Glasshouse after finalizing the sale of his co-ownership stake in Irongate Inc. Realtors. During his time with Irongate, Kretz developed and managed all aspects of the commercial division, growing the annual commercial real estate transaction volume by 1,500% in less than three years.
During his time in commercial real estate with Berkshire Hathaway from 2009 to 2021, Kretz ranked No. 3 globally for top commercial agents in the Berkshire Hathaway Global CRE Network. He also holds several leadership positions across industry, and local and regional government, and serves on numerous boards, commissions and committees including Dayton Realtors.
“We know Tom is the right leader at the right time for Glasshouse with his exceptional sales record and extensive service throughout our community,” said Kari Abitbol, vice president of communications and marketing for Glasshouse Realty Group.
Kretz officially started his role Aug. 5.
Kretz said Glasshouse has the key ingredients for growth: customer and agent-centric, technology-driven, detail-focused, nimble, and energetic. He said he was attracted to the firm after watching the team “command more and more market share” while attracting talent and maintaining an “outstanding” reputation.
“Being in this business for the past 15 years, coupled with 26 years of business ownership in industries ranging from real estate, distribution, manufacturing, self-storage, farming, development and more, I quickly recognized the untapped potential for Glasshouse to expand its business model into the commercial space,” Kretz said. “There’s something different here – and frankly, it’s exciting.”
Glasshouse Realty Group
Revenue 2023: $5.9 million (11.5% average growth from 2020)
Sales volume 2023: $210 million (3.4% increase from 2022’s $203 million)
Local real estate agents: 189
Headquarters: 201 E. Sixth St., in the Armory building in downtown Dayton’s Oregon District
Founded: 2019
Kretz will not join Glasshouse as a partner. After starting, acquiring, growing, and selling 10 businesses over the last 26 years, Kretz will work with and manage a broad book of his own commercial real estate brokerage business and clients while building, mentoring and growing a full-service team of commercial real estate agents. The exact number of new employees and agents to be brought on as part of the launch and its early growth has yet to be determined.
“Tom is widely respected in the commercial real estate space, a successful industry leader, and known as a dealmaker and deal whisperer,” said Mo Zahedi, Glasshouse Realty Group co-founder and broker. “His development of a specialized commercial team – a team that will be set up for success from the start with access to modern tools, technology and marketing – will soon push Glasshouse into a new tier of sales volume.”
Glasshouse voted Dayton’s “Best Real Estate Agency” for the second consecutive year
Glasshouse Realty Group was voted “Best Real Estate Agency” for the second consecutive year in Dayton.com’s 2024 Best of Dayton awards. In addition, Glasshouse agent Terri Johnson was named a finalist in the Best Real Estate Agent category.
Thanks to everyone who voted and to our brokers, administrators, agents and business partners who consistently go above and beyond to serve our clients and community!
Click here to see the full list of winners in the Professional Services category.
Glasshouse named to 2024’s Fastest-Growing Companies list by the Dayton Business Journal
Glasshouse Realty Group was named to the Dayton Business Journal’s Fastest-Growing Companies list on August 9, 2024. Glasshouse was among 55 companies throughout the Dayton region that received the award, which recognizes organizations with the highest percentage growth in revenue over the past four years. Glasshouse’s official rank within the top 55 list will be announced during an event on October 10 at NCR Country Club.
Click here to see the full story and list of awardees that were published in the Dayton Business Journal.
Dayton Business Journal: Fast-growing Dayton brokerage to embark on new expansions across region
A Dayton-based, tech-savvy brokerage plans to further propel its growth with planned regional expansions.
Starting off with a team of 11 in one office, Glasshouse Realty Group has grown to a team of 182 argents across 11 locations. Kari Abitbol, vice president of communications and marketing for Glasshouse, said the brokerage’s goal since its inception in 2019 has been to expand its footprint throughout Southwest Ohio and beyond.
“That fast and steep growth is purely organic,” Abitbol said. “We’ve created a culture that’s increasingly attractive to the area’s top producing agents who are extremely motivated to serve their clients… As business grows, so too has the need to expand our brick-and-mortar locations.”
Glasshouse Realty Group is preparing to unveil three new offices across the Dayton region in the next year, following the opening of one newer location:
Wilmington: The soon-to-open location is a 1,500-square-foot leased space within the iconic, historic Coca-Cola building at 117 N. South St., Suite A. The new site is slated for opening on Tuesday, July 2. The location currently houses four agents, with plans to hire more.
Huber Heights: Glasshouse is leasing a 2,000-square-foot location at 7371 Brandt Pike, Suite B, currently undergoing renovation. Doors are expected to open later this summer. Five agents will be hired for the location.
Sidney: The new 1,200-plus-square-foot location at 219 N. Ohio Ave. has yet to be built. Glasshouse currently occupies the front of an established business in Sidney with plans to begin construction on a larger space in the heart of downtown this fall. The location is expected to be completed in spring or summer 2025. Eight agents will be hired for the location.
Piqua: Glasshouse owns the downtown Piqua space at 124 N. Main St., which was gutted and rebuilt over the past two years. The previously vacant building now houses five other businesses and expects to welcome two more by the end of summer. The realtor occupied 3,500 square feet within the 9,000-square-foot building, in April. The location houses 10 independent agents.
“Nearly all of our 10 offices are located in or very close to historic downtown areas, which is not by chance,” Abitbol said. “Many Glasshouse agents are native Daytonians and Ohioans who value the rich history in these areas.”
Additional details on upcoming open house events at the four new locations are soon to come.
Glasshouse Realty Group
Revenue 2023: $5.9 million (11.5% average growth from 2020)
Sales volume 2023: $210 million (3.4% increase from 2022’s $203 million)
Local real estate agents: 182
Headquarters: 201 E. Sixth St., in the Armory building in downtown Dayton’s Oregon District
Founded: 2019
Abitbol said the first two quarters of 2024 indicate Glasshouse is well on its way to surpassing its 2023 revenue of $5.9 million by end of year.
“Given the rapid growth in agent count, we expect 2025 will be our best revenue year yet,” Abitbol said.
The brokerage anticipates exceeding $300 million in sales volume by the end of 2024, a number that Abitbol said is “quickly approaching the production of other local brokerages that have been in business for decades”.
Glasshouse’s strong trajectory shows no signs of slowing down as Abitbol said the team welcomed 50 new agents in the first half of 2024 alone. She said many of their agents come from national companies like Coldwell Banker and Keller Williams.
“[Agents] realize that they’re not missing out on anything by teaming with a locally owned brokerage,” Abitbol said. “In fact, they’re keeping more of the money they earned, enjoying more autonomy and building stronger relationships as a result. Because we’re an independent brokerage, we’re also better positioned to navigate the market and its curve balls.
Currently licensed in Ohio and Kentucky, Glasshouse is on track to expand its license to Florida and Indiana by the end of 2024. Abitbol said many of their agents like to work in other states, particularly with clients who spend some of the year in southern states like Florida.
Glasshouse also recently became the only brokerage in the Dayton area to participate in an invitation-only brokerage lead platform from Zillow Premier Agent. Abitbol said leads from the program generated nearly $25 million in sales in 2023 alone and has already generated $22 million in year-to-date sales.
“We expect it will continue as a strong source of growth the remainder of this year and beyond,” Abitbol said.
Dayton Business Journal: Glasshouse Realty Group poised for 'massive growth' with new third owner
One of the Dayton region’s fastest-growing residential real estate firms is poised to grow its market share in a meaningful way this year with a new merger.
Glasshouse Realty Group, which is run by co-founders Evan Kloth and Mo Zahedi, has added a third owner who comes to the brokerage from a national brand.
(Click here to read the story in the Dayton Business Journal.)
Kunal Patel, former associate partner with Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors, has joined Glasshouse Realty as broker and owner.
With more than a decade of real estate experience, Patel also brings to Glasshouse the Kunal Patel Group, a six-member team with over 100 years combined experience. The group did $56 million in sales volume in 2022.
In the last decade, Kunal Patel Group has proven to be one of the highest producing groups in the region with more than $600 million in sales and 1,100 properties sold with Coldwell Banker.
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors as a whole locally did $1.4 billion in sales in 2022 and has around 450 agents.
“This change is more than a merger; it’s a meeting of minds committed to client-first values and tangible contributions to our community,” Patel said. “And it’s coming at a pivotal moment as the market adjusts to shifts across the economy and buyer and seller preferences.”
Patel said he was attracted to Glasshouse Realty for its community-focused mission of giving back. Patel is immediate past board president for SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center; and serves on the board of Rebuilding Together Dayton.
"Kunal wanted a place where he could have more of a direct influence on growth and change," Kloth said. "Partnering with us at Glasshouse allows for him to be that catalyst."
The addition of Patel’s six-member team will bring Glasshouse Realty to over 150 agents, Zahedi said. Glasshouse averages around $250 million to $300 million in sales volume annually.
Glasshouse Realty’s main office is prominently situated on Sixth Street in the Oregon District. The brokerage has five other locations in Troy, Springfield, Springboro, Centerville and most recently Oakwood/Kettering.
With Patel’s addition, the brokerage has added a seventh office in Beavercreek at 75 Harbert Drive, Suite B, in Beavercreek. It’s a temporary space as the group scouts for another location in Beavercreek or Greene County.
Zahedi said long-term plans include opening Glasshouse Realty offices in Cincinnati, Columbus and Indiana.
“There is no one else on the planet that Mo and I would be doing this with,” Kloth said of Patel. “It goes beyond his success as a realtor. We only want people here that will keep our culture what it is or make it more vibrant.”
Zahedi said Patel’s move from a national brand like Coldwell Banker shows his commitment to “doubling down” on the local community.
“The three of us we can make a jump to really being a competitor with these national brands,” Zahedi said.
Patel added: “This is a stepping stone for our local community.”
Glasshouse Realty averages around 30% growth year-over-year in agent count, Zahedi said. He anticipates 2024 being a “massive year” for the company’s sales volume.
“We’ve always intended to scale our brokerage organically and intentionally, and the addition of Kunal and his team does just that,” Zahedi said. “We’re excited to continue expanding across the greater Dayton area, southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky.”
Glasshouse Realty was founded in 2019 with 11 agents.
Glasshouse Realty Group
Founded: 2019
Main office: 201 East 6th Street, Dayton, OH 45402
Total offices: Troy, Springfield, Springboro, Centerville, Oakwood/Kettering, Dayton
Average annual sales volume: $250-$300 million
Local agents: 150
Owners: Evan Kloth, Mo Zahedi, Kunal Patel
Who is Glasshouse Realty Group?
When it comes to finding the perfect home, it’s crucial to choose a real estate agency that understands your unique lifestyle and preferences. That's where Glasshouse Realty Group comes in. Founded by Dayton, Ohio natives Mo Zahedi and Evan Kloth in 2019, Glasshouse has taken the real estate industry by storm. With extensive knowledge and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, Glasshouse Realty Group has become the go-to agency for individuals seeking trusted real estate services.
Glasshouse welcomed former Coldwell Banker associate partner Kunal Patel as broker/owner in 2023. Mo, Evan and Kunal possess an innate understanding of the local market having grown up in the area and witnessing the city's transformation. They’ve built and are continually growing a team of agents who offer clients valuable insights into the most desirable neighborhoods, up-and-coming communities and hidden gems. Their deep-rooted connection to the city fosters an unparalleled passion for real estate, ensuring that their clients receive personalized attention and the most suitable properties that align with their lifestyle goals.
One of the things that sets Glasshouse apart is a shared belief that a home is not merely a structure but a reflection of one's aspirations, values and desired way of life. Glasshouse agents take the time to understand their clients' needs, preferences and long-term goals, ensuring that every property they present aligns with their clients' wish lists. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or looking to downsize, Glasshouse goes above and beyond to match you with a property that complements your lifestyle. Glasshouse agents know that buying or selling a home is an overwhelming process, which is why they build long-term relationships to ensure clients are supported throughout all stages of their buying, selling and home ownership journeys.
Glasshouse has also created a culture that’s increasingly attractive to top-producing agents throughout the region. Since its start in 2019, Glasshouse has grown from a team of 11 agents in one location to a team of more than 180 agents across 11 locations in 2024. With fast, steep and purely organic growth, the brokerage is quickly becoming one of the region’s most well known and trusted real estate providers.
Glasshouse Realty Group
Phone:+1(937) 949-0006