admin Glenn Sanford is a visionary entrepreneur who has redefined the real estate industry through technology and innovation. As the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of eXp World Holdings, he built eXp Realty—a cloud-based real estate brokerage that now has over 86,000 agents in 24+ countries. Under his leadership, eXp has become one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the world, known for its unique agent-focused model and virtual office environment. Sanford’s work has earned him numerous honors, including the Entrepreneur of The Year® Award for the Pacific Northwest in 2021, and he continues to lead the industry into a more digital and people-driven future.
“We built eXp Realty around the idea that agents do the heavy lifting in real estate, so they should also benefit the most from the success of the company.”
Early Life and Career
Glenn’s journey as an entrepreneur began early. At the age of 15, he developed his own accounting software—a clear sign of his interest in technology and solving problems. As a young adult, he tried his hand at several ventures, including selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, which taught him the basics of sales and customer service.
He briefly attended the University of Oklahoma before deciding to follow his entrepreneurial instincts. In 1998, he launched eShippers.com, an e-commerce and logistics company. This experience gave him an early taste of the power of online business and digital tools.
Entering Real Estate
In 2002, Glenn entered the real estate industry by working with a local agent. He quickly realized he had a passion for the business. Just two years later, he became a top-performing agent at Keller Williams, a major real estate company. But Glenn didn’t stop there—he saw room for improvement and began imagining a better, more flexible way for agents to work.
The Birth of eXp Realty
In 2007, Glenn launched his own brokerage, and by 2009, he officially started eXp Realty. His idea was simple but groundbreaking: create a real estate company without traditional offices. Instead, agents would work online, supported by advanced technology, virtual collaboration, and a strong community.
This cloud-based model allowed agents to work from anywhere, cut down on costs, and stay connected with clients and colleagues—even during crises like the 2008 financial downturn or the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a bold idea has now become a global movement.
Leadership and Growth
eXp Realty’s growth has been nothing short of extraordinary. Glenn’s focus on empowering agents, offering stock ownership, and providing ongoing education has helped the company attract top talent around the world.
In 2019, Glenn stepped back from his CEO role to focus on broader company strategy. But in January 2023, he returned as CEO of eXp Realty to guide the next chapter of growth. Today, the company is a global leader, with agents operating across multiple continents under a shared, cloud-based system.
A People-First Approach
Despite his success, Glenn is known for staying grounded and people-focused. His leadership style is collaborative, and he places a strong emphasis on using technology to help agents learn, grow, and connect. At eXp Realty, agents are not just workers—they are owners and active contributors to the company’s culture.
In 2021, Glenn demonstrated his commitment to giving back by matching $300,000 in donations to help families affected by natural disasters. This blend of business success and social responsibility is part of what makes him such a respected leader.
“The future of real estate is virtual, collaborative, and agent-centric—when you empower people with the right tools and ownership, they’ll drive growth beyond expectations.”
Shaping the Future of Real Estate
Glenn Sanford isn’t just building a company—he’s leading a movement. Through eXp World Holdings, he has shown that real estate can be done differently: more digital, more human, and more scalable. His forward-thinking approach is helping thousands of agents find success in a modern, flexible work environment.
As the industry continues to change, Glenn’s leadership offers a clear path forward—one that values innovation, inclusion, and empowerment. He is not only changing how real estate is done but also inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to think bigger and build smarter.
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