Rankin Co. aligns with Sperry Van Ness

But he couldn’t ignore the numbers.

The national commercial real estate brokerage firm had connections to thousands of buyers and brokers across the country. The Rankin Co., also a commercial real estate broker, could have that, too.

About a year later, Sperry Van Ness Rankin Co. LLC was born, a move made official in early April. Rankin continues to hold complete ownership of his Springfield firm, but an undisclosed percentage of its commission goes to Sperry Van Ness in exchange for use of the national firm’s resources and connections.

“All of our signs will change, and even the way we’re able to approach business is going to change,” said Rankin.

640 brokers

Through the affiliation, Rankin’s firm can market its southwest Missouri properties through Sperry Van Ness’ 640 brokers in 36 states.

“We’ll be able to market our properties nationwide much more effectively than we’ve been able to do in the past and, really, in a manner that nobody else in southwest Missouri can do,” Rankin said.

Rankin’s firm also has access to Sperry Van Ness’ database of 67,000 independent brokers. When he receives a local listing of a property for $1 million or more, he sends an e-mail with property information to each of those brokers.

Rankin also sends a similar e-mail to 65,000 known buyers, listed in a database through Sperry Van Ness.

The property is instantly listed in seven online multilisting services and can be featured in one of Sperry Van Ness’ weekly conference calls with all of its brokers.

“It’s neat in that we’re able to expose a property immediately to such a broad range of people, and we’re able to see what’s going on across the country,” Rankin said.

The partnership also translates into better service for clients as well, Rankin said, as most of his buyers are interested in properties outside of the region.

“The way to sell is to get competing bids, as many people interested in a piece of property as possible, and attract as many offers through marketing,” he said. “We’re doing a service to the seller by exposing their property to more people.”

Sperry Van Ness presents approximately 100 broker forums every year, where buyers and brokers congregate to be exposed to some of the firm’s newest property listings, including Rankin’s.

Rankin also has the option of putting a property up at auction, or through “accelerated marketing,” with Sperry Van Ness. The process takes a property from its initial listing to a sale in 90 days.

Investment opportunities

Aside from receiving commission through Rankin’s sales, Sperry Van Ness also profits from the affiliation by having a property portfolio in southwest Missouri.

“It’s a great opportunity for investors to be able to invest in that market, as well as it is for property owners in that market to be exposed to national buyers,” said Kathrine Ripper, regional director for Sperry Van Ness.

Ripper said the firm approached The Rankin Co. because of its business philosophy, location and expertise of its agents.

Sperry Van Ness Rankin Co. employs Rankin and six other staff members. Rankin said he expects to hire several new leasing agents as a result of the partnership.

The firm also is moving from its South National location to a larger space at 2808 S. Ingram Mill by the end of June.