Humble Roots, Big Ideas

When John Jacobi founded Windermere Real Estate in 1972, he had a vision for the way real estate should work: anticipate and respond to the needs of buyers and sellers, and support the communities you serve. While other real estate companies were focused on size and sales, his goal was to earn the respect of the communities where he and his agents worked and lived. More than four decades later, John Jacobi’s humble beginnings have gone from a single office with eight agents to a network of 300 offices and more than 6,500 agents throughout the Western United States. See our historical timeline to learn more about Windermere through the years.

Windermere has always focused on three basic principles: hire the best people; give them the best tools; create thriving communities. It’s not rocket science, but it has worked pretty well for us for over 45 years.

The Best People
Windermere’s community of real estate professionals is our greatest asset. We have experts in all areas of real estate, from your typical starter home to condos, luxury properties, and new construction. While residential real estate is the mainstay of our business, Windermere also has offices and associates who specialize in property management, commercial real estate, and relocation services. To further facilitate the home buying process, Windermere has affiliated partners in certain regions to provide mortgage, title, and escrow services.

The Best Tools
Our agents have access to a wide range of innovative tools and programs, allowing them to serve home buyers and sellers in a way that is truly unique to Windermere. Some of our most successful tools were born from our agents’ own ingenuity, and we continually look to them for ways to improve upon everything we do. Ultimately, the most powerful tool that Windermere has is our agents; their professionalism and commitment to community enables them to tailor their service individually to each of their clients’ needs.

Create Thriving Communities
Windermere is committed to the communities in which we live and work. Through the Windermere Foundation, our annual Community Service Day, and a variety of community events, Windermere agents, owners, and staff work together to help build and sustain thriving neighborhoods.

Windermere Foundation
For every home that is bought or sold through Windermere, the Windermere Foundation donates a portion of the proceeds towards supporting low-income and homeless families in our communities. What started in 1989 as a grassroots foundation serving Seattle-area families in need, has grown to encompass ten states and Mexico and has raised more than $38 million for programs and organizations that provide shelter, clothing, children’s programs, emergency assistance, and other services to those who need our help most.

Community Service Day
Every year Windermere closes its offices for one day to help make a positive difference in our local communities. It all started in 1984 when a handful of Windermere owners and agents came together to make repairs at a Seattle-area elementary school. Thirty-five years and over one million hours of community service later, we’ve continued this tradition through neighborhood-enhancing projects in the areas where our Windermere teams live, work, and play.

Community Events
We believe that by focusing first on community, we can better understand and meet the needs of those who live within them. One way we do this is by supporting events that enrich the neighborhoods where we live and work. From crew races and concerts, to golf tournaments and fun-runs, Windermere associates understand that it's traditions that bring us together and make our communities stronger.