12-11-2022 Top Workplaces - Flipbook - Page 6
LARGE COMPANIES
NO.1
CUMMINGS & CO. REALTORS
Building
relationships
Maintaining professional relationships centered
on respect and aligned vision and values
BY DONNA OWENS
W
hen Dave Cummings hung out his
shingle back in 2006, the founder
of Cummings & Co. Realtors had
no idea what the future might
hold in an industry notorious for market fluctuations, housing booms and busts.
Yet the broker was determined to work diligently, treat clients with respect and surround
himself with fellow professionals in sync with
his vision and values.
One such colleague he met 16 or so years
ago was Chris Palazzi, a Realtor who actually stumbled into his longtime affiliation with
the brokerage. He’s now the longest-serving
member of the company.
“I went to lunch with a good friend and met
Dave years ago, but it wasn’t a recruiting meeting,” Palazzi recalled. “Honestly, I was with
another broker and wasn’t looking to move. But
I came over to check it out. I’ve worked with
him ever since.”
That professional relationship is among many
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that Cummings has forged with hundreds of
Realtors over the intervening years. Today,
Cummings & Co. Realtors has more than 550
real estate agents spread across nine offices in
Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Although Cummings holds licenses in
Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia
and Washington, D.C., and serves as the firm’s
broker, he does not compete with the agents
who are independent contractors.
He prefers they come in with a minimum of
two years of experience and sell real estate full
time. Beyond that, he’s always available to offer
mentoring and support.
“The people make this company what it is,” he
said. “I’ve been lucky to surround myself with
creative, positive, optimistic and fun agents.”
That type of collegiality serves the team
well and was key during the early stages of the
pandemic and all of its uncertainties.
As a housing shortage heightened demand,
Cummings put a series of protocols in place to
Dave Cummings, center, broker and founder of
Cummings & Co., talks with, from left, Realtors
Jennifer Maley, Jasmine Lawrence, Jontell Hinton,
Marie Snyder DeVries and Lynn Gurley.
PHOTO BY LLOYD FOX
help agents run their businesses from almost
anywhere and service clients.
Now, as the market is slowing down and
normalizing, the offices continue to offer an
array of resources.