Sue Filipovich and Patrick Burgan had lofty goals when they became second-generation owners of Burgan Real Estate in 2018. Embracing their “Better with Burgan” motto, they set out on their own path to grow the 42-year old, locally owned and operated real estate company into more than just a company that helps people buy or sell houses. Since taking control 2 years ago, they have grown a team of trustworthy, transparent and tested REALTORS®, established themselves as leaders in the community who are committed to making a positive difference and implemented a strategy that has almost doubled the company’s sales, turning the independent agency into a $100 Million company in 2019.
In 2019, the duo shattered the previous year’s record setting sales numbers, logging 752 units sold, totaling over $100 Million in total volume (27% increase YOY). Burgan posted its 12th consecutive quarter of growth dating back to the first quarter of 2017, and successfully outperformed each month versus the prior year. In 2019, the “Better with Burgan” motto continued to be backed by their performance. Their new “Guaranteed Sale Plan,” as well as their strategic approach to marketing using Consumer Insights, a data driven model categorizing sellers and buyers into unique segments they can target and approach.
“2019 was a monumental year in the storied history of Burgan Real Estate,” said Burgan. “The vision that Sue and I had in creating a culture and a company built on the foundations of integrity, honesty, and transparency was on full display by the number of people who chose us to provide a better way to find their new home. But none of the success we experience is possible without the dedication of our Burgan Bunch agents and valued partners who just as committed as Sue and I are to making the lives of our clients and our community better.”
Achieving sales numbers of this magnitude is a by product of the commitment Sue and Patrick have made to proving real estate agents with ways to grow their careers through education and strategic planning. This commitment enabled 19 of their Burgan Bunch agents to sell more than $1 million in annual sales, earning the distinguished President’s Sales Club Award for 2019, the most of any real estate company in Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® (YCAR). This was the second consecutive year Burgan Real Estate led all real estate agencies affiliated with YCAR by having the most REALTORS® earn this recognition. Despite the record setting sales numbers, Sue Filipovich says that this is the greatest achievement of the company in 2019.
“While the volume our company was able to do is an amazing achievement, it is a byproduct of a greater achievement,” said Filipovich. “Our agents are the ones who continue to not only be better than they were last year but, as represented by number of our agents who received the 2019 President’s Club Award, continue to be the best group of REALTORS® in the area based on their professional accomplishments. To have Burgan Real Estate represented by having the most agents receiving this award for the second consecutive year is one of our proudest achievements of 2019. It is proof our Better with Burgan culture and strategies successfully empower agents to grow their careers, achieve their personal and financial goals, as well as continue to be a positive influence in making the Mahoning Valley as a locally owned company.”
Burgan continued to showcase a commitment to the community support for United Way’s Day of Caring, Habitat for Humanity, The Purple Cat and other local charities that were supported through their donations of time and over $20,000 of contributions. This includes a special $2,400 grant for YSU entrepreneurial students named in honor of John Burgan, one of the founding members of Burgan Real Estate the father of Patrick.
The company also launched new ventures and offerings, catering to the growing demands of their clients seeking the same approach of a transparent and honest process Burgan provides in other areas of real estate. 2019 saw Burgan Real Estate invest in the creation of Market Title Agency, a local title agency to guide customers through the closing process. Burgan’s status as a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® also afforded them the opportunity to continue to support the brave men and women who have and continue to serve our great country with Military on the Move®. This program offers unique and special benefits to active, retired and wounded military personnel, including credits at closing.
“We always know that we have room to grow and are relentless in finding ways to improve. As we start our 43rd year of being better, we know the new decade will bring more challenges and opportunity to make history again. As long as we stay true to our core values and continue to surround ourselves with agents who want to make the lives of their clients better and clients who trust us to deliver on our promise, the vision for what we have for 2020 and beyond will be an exciting chapter to write,” said Filipovich.