Learn how this broker-owner has experienced success as a solo agent, leader of a high-performing team, and co-owner, launching a brokerage that now holds the No. 1 market share.
Turn up the volume on your real estate success at Inman On Tour: Nashville! Connect with industry trailblazers and top-tier speakers to gain powerful insights, cutting-edge strategies, and invaluable connections. Elevate your business and achieve your boldest goals — all with Music City magic. Register now.
Creating exceptional outcomes at every level of residential sales, @properties La Crosse broker-owner Bill Favre sells around 100 properties a year while also leading his “small but mighty” team of three agents. His brokerage is the top firm in its market, with 30 agents who closed over 700 sides and $200 million in volume last year. Balancing high-level production with leadership sets him apart.
Prioritizing culture, relationships, and innovations, Favre says that “@properties La Crosse is more than just a brokerage — it’s a place where agents feel empowered to grow and succeed, with constant support from both corporate and within our local team.”
Learn how this broker-owner has experienced success as a solo agent, leader of a high-performing team, and co-owner, launching a brokerage that now holds the No. 1 market share.
Name: Bill Favre
Title: Co-owner and agent at @properties La Crosse; team leader of Favre & Co.
Experience: 20 years
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Brokerage: @properties La Crosse
Rankings: No. 1 market share in the Greater La Crosse area
Brokerage size: 30 agents
Transaction sides: 708
Sales volume: $214,694,560
How did you get your start in real estate?
I grew up as the oldest of six, raised by a single mom who was a real estate agent. Watching her navigate the industry, I saw firsthand the impact of hard work and perseverance. Real estate wasn’t just a job — it was a way to build something meaningful while helping people put down roots.
After a few years in college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. My mom encouraged me to get my real estate license while I figured it out.
At 22, I jumped in, and I never looked back. I quickly realized that my ability to connect with people, make them feel comfortable and genuinely look out for their best interests was going to take me far.
For over a decade, I worked alongside my mom, learning everything I could. Then, out of nowhere, she passed away suddenly. That moment changed everything for me.
Instead of stepping back, I doubled down and worked even harder. I focused on building strong client relationships, growing my expertise, and eventually forming a team. That team led to bigger opportunities, including opening @properties La Crosse.
My start in real estate wasn’t some grand plan — it was a moment of uncertainty that turned into a lifelong passion.
Tell us about a high point in your brokerage career
Right now feels like a high point, not just because we hold the No. 1 market share but because of the people we’ve built this brokerage with.
When we brought @properties to La Crosse, we knew we wanted to create something different — an environment where agents felt supported, where collaboration was the norm, and where success wasn’t just measured in numbers but in culture and reputation. Inevitably, our production has followed suit, and we now have the No. 1 market share in the area.
We got here by being selective about who we bring in. Not every agent is the right fit for this culture, and we’ve been careful to protect what we’ve built. When I look around at the agents and staff we have today, I’m genuinely proud. They are some of the best, hardest-working and most supportive people I’ve ever worked with.
We celebrate together. We push each other to be better. And that’s what makes this moment feel like such a win — not just the rankings but the culture we’ve created.
What makes a good leader?
A great leader isn’t just someone who gives orders — they’re in the trenches with their team.
For me, leadership is about:
- Leading by example: A great leader sets the standard by working alongside their team, not just giving direction from the sidelines.
- Taking feedback and staying humble: No one has all the answers, and the best leaders listen, adapt, and evolve.
- Investing in people: Leadership isn’t about making yourself successful — it’s about making others successful.
- Keeping ego out of it: The moment a leader starts making decisions based on personal pride instead of what’s best for the team, everything falls apart.
I don’t think leadership is about having a title. It’s about earning trust, creating opportunities for others, and always being willing to learn.
What’s one thing you wish every agent knew?
Reputation is everything. Every interaction you have is an interview — the way you handle negotiations, how you speak about competitors, and how you treat clients and colleagues all matter.
The best agents understand that real estate isn’t about chasing quick deals; it’s about building a long-term business based on trust. That means putting your clients’ interests ahead of your own, staying professional in every situation, and never burning bridges.
Being respectful to fellow agents is more important than people realize. Real estate is a small world, and the way you treat others can open doors or close them. Your reputation will carry you far. It’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough, but it’s the foundation of long-term success.
Email Christy Murdock
