Downing-Frye History
The Downing-Frye name has been linked with real estate in Naples for fifty years. Since its inception, the company has grown to be one of the largest independently owned real estate brokerages in the country. The modern day history started in July of 1992 when David Frye and Michelle Frye implemented the current 100 percent commission concept. Amazingly, 90% of the 1992 Downin
g-Frye employees are still with the company today. This stability is very rare in real estate brokerages but speaks positively about the company. For many years, David Frye and Michelle Frye owned the company. However, in 2005, David and Michelle invited Don Ross and Mike Hughes to become partners. Don and Mike had been friends with David for many years; so becoming owners was an easy decision. Don is a prominent local real estate attorney; Mike is a CPA and David is a successful Realtor. Not only ownership expanded, likewise offices expanded. In 2003, Downing-Frye set up a temporary branch office in Bonita Springs. This temporary office blossomed in 2004 into an office with a prime location on Tamiami Trail. Today, our thriving Bonita Springs’ office is home to over 100 productive real estate associates. As ownership and offices expanded, so too did Downing-Frye Realty’s outstanding accomplishments and recognition. Since 2004, Downing-Frye Realty has been ranked in the top 100 real estate offices in the country based on closed sales volume. And in 2004 Downing-Frye Realty was the # 2 real estate brokerage in the country for growth in sales volume. That was followed in 2005 when our company was # 5 in the country. Being recognized as the #5 brokerage out of 25,000 real estate brokerages in the country was an amazing accomplishment. These accomplishments are amazing for a non-franchised, family-owned brokerage! Locally, Downing-Frye Realty has also been recognized. Our Naples office has been voted Best Real Estate Office in the Southwest Florida People’s Choice Award contest for 13 straight years. We have also been voted Best Real Estate Office in Bonita Springs by the News-Press readers for 9 straight years. Overall, Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. dominates the local market – as measured by customers and also volume of transactions. The company has also been recognized nationally as one of THE BEST brokerages in southwest Florida. But this is still a company that prides itself on retaining 90% of our employees since the 90’s. So why is Downing-Frye successful year in and year out? The answer really boils down to several factors. First, Downing-Frye is a large real estate brokerage that is still run like a small family company. Our brokers are easy to reach and our employees are here to help our associates. All employees are cross trained to handle multiple positions within our company and also have a “can do” attitude and philosophy. Also, Downing-Frye always focuses on cutting-edge technology. The products, technology and tools that we provide to our associates are designed to give our associates the competitive edge. We are constantly looking five years down the road to plan for the future. We recognize that the speed of technological change increases daily. Downing-Frye will continue to embrace technology as a way of maintaining our competitive edge. So, while Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. has a rich and interesting history, we are committed to preparing for the future every day. We are also committed to preserve the customer-centered philosophy in real estate and the family-centered philosophy with our employees. We firmly believe that our best days are ahead of us!!!
