PAUL PURCELL
CO-FOUNDER – CHARLES RUTENBERG REALTY

A belief that one excels when they do what they like best has proven true to life for 25-year real estate industry veteran Paul Purcell, who is experiencing unprecedented success as a co-founder of Charles Rutenberg Realty, the fastest growing independent residential real estate firm in New York City to date. Along with founding partner and real estate expert Kathy Braddock, he has built a progressive real estate firm that bucks the traditional business model by putting the power back in the hands of the brokers, allowing him to spend more time guiding agents through deals and assisting them with marketing and advertising available properties. “We are not encumbered by all that goes with overseeing a large firm, which means we can truly focus on the fundamentals of the business: helping our agents to be productive and successful,” explains Mr. Purcell. “The consumer also benefits from the arrangement since the agents are eager to work their hardest to assist the client.” Mr. Purcell and Ms. Braddock’s passion for helping brokers to grow their businesses has led to remarkable success. Since the company’s inception two years ago, its innovative broker commission structure, which asks the brokers to pay $99 a month to the agency and a transaction fee of no more than $2,000 ever and allows them to keep virtually 100 percent of the commission, has set it apart from the pack. Its agent-focused atmosphere, where everyone has access to the principals of the firm and their years of knowledge, has also helped it grow at a record pace. Going from zero to 200 agents in a short span of time, Charles Rutenberg Realty is now among the top ten residential brokerages in New York City in terms of number of agents. Mr. Purcell adds, “When we first explain how our business works, brokers think ‘it must be too good to be true,’ but there really are no surprises. What you see is what you get.” No stranger to success -- or real estate -- Mr. Purcell spent several years as president of Douglas Elliman (DE), which was New York City’s and tri-state New York’s largest residential real estate brokerage. Under Mr. Purcell’s direction, DE achieved its most successful revenue and earnings year in its 92-year history. Prior to becoming president, he served as DE’s managing director and chief operating officer. He joined DE in 1996 as an executive vice president, director of Relocation Services and Corporate Development, creating that division at the firm. Before joining DE, Mr. Purcell was the director of Relocation and Development for The Corcoran Group, a leading New York City brokerage. He, along with Ms. Braddock, also founded braddock + purcell in 2002, a company that serves as a “personal shopper” for individual buyers and sellers, putting them in touch with the best agents and guiding them through the entire process from beginning to end. Mr. Purcell possesses a deep understanding of the marketing and advertising side of real estate, having spent several years working in these capacities as an account executive and supervisor on the Proctor & Gamble, Showtime, Lifetime Television, People Express Airlines and MCA/Universal Entertainment accounts for Compton Advertising, which was later acquired by Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as Plapler Advertising and Calalieri and Kleir. While he enjoyed the field, a desire to work autonomously, while blending business skills he had acquired over the years in marketing, communication and finance with an early fascination with construction and architecture, led to his next venture in what turned out to be his true passion: a career in real estate. A New Yorker for more than 30 years, and an expert on the city’s residential real estate, he has an unparalleled understanding of the co-op and condo process, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of buildings throughout Manhattan. Mr. Purcell’s expertise has made him a sought-after guest on CNN, CNN/fn, CNBC, NBC and E! Television. He is also frequently quoted in newspapers such as The New York Times and The International Herald Tribune, and is a regular contributor to trade publications, including The Real Deal and Real Estate Weekly. In addition, he gives frequent public presentations on real estate with several seminars at the 92nd Street Y. Mr. Purcell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and attended The Anderson School, UCLA’s Graduate School of Business. He stays abreast of current trends in the marketplace through affiliations with several industry organizations, including, but not limited to, The Real Estate Board of New York. Most of all, he gleans his knowledge by actively assisting his brokers, a role and responsibility he relishes. Feel free to contact Mr. Purcell to learn more about him and how his company may assist you in growing your career or in selling, buying, or renting New York City real estate. You can reach him at ppurcell@rutenbergrealtyny.com or at 212.688.1000.