Why Hire Just a 
Real Estate Agent 
When You Can Procure 
a Marketing 
Dream Team?

KIM KISNER
W

hen considering which real 
estate agent to work with, a 
full-fledged marketing team 
with expertise in search engine optimization 
(SEO), digital media, social media, high-end 
photography, copywriting and production 
level videography is not typically part of the 
equation. Nor is global penetration, afforded 
by the world’s largest luxury brand and pres-
ence in more than 75 countries worldwide.
Well it’s time to rethink you options. Dan 
Gutfreund is not your typical real estate 
broker; he’s a sales and marketing afficio-
nado. 

UNIQUE PHILOSOPHY 
“The way I approach my business is market-
ing first, real estate second,” says Gutfreund. 
“Getting your ‘listing in lights’ is what it’s 
all about … presenting a home in the most 
beautiful, inviting, captivating way to the 
largest qualified audience, through all the 
right channels. I’ve curated a robust, highly 
skilled team to do just that.”
Born and raised in a Jewish family in 
Toronto, Canada, Gutfreund relocated 
to Michigan in 2008 and started his real 
estate career with Signature Sotheby’s 
International Realty. With the Sotheby’s 
footprint, brand presence and global reach 
as his foundation, he’s developed the Dan 

Gutfreund Realty Group, one of the most 
successful agencies in Michigan and nation-
ally, approaching $90 million in sales and 
consistently ranking at the top of Sotheby’s 
agents annually.
“Working within the Sotheby’s umbrella 
offers unparalleled exposure, and such a 
rich and deep infrastructure and brand to 
build upon … it’s a marketers’ utopia,” he 
says. “I couldn’t think of a better corner-
stone on which to grow my business.” 
With homes consistently listed locally, 
nationally and internationally 
in publications like the Wall 
Street Journal, New York Times 
and other prominent media 
outlets, the Sotheby’s coverage 
is indeed extensive.
Gutfreund has taken this 
local, domestic and global 
approach a step further, apply-
ing it toward assembling his 
marketing team. He has hand-
picked specific talent from 
across the country, and the 
group now represents members 
from the Midwest, East Coast 
and locally. Having perfected 
remote communications and 
workflow some time ago, the 
structure served him and the 

team well during the pandemic.
This “dream team” includes the industry’s 
top stager, videographer, photographer, 
copywriter, digital marketing manager, SEO 
specialist, social media manager and an 
outsourced PR firm — and it’s built to show-
case homes like no other. They are known 
by their clients as a well-oiled machine. 
“I like to think we work together as a relay 
team does … with me out there originat-
ing the business, then passing the baton 
through each highly skilled team member 

SPONSORED BY DAN GUTFREUND REALTY GROUP 

who does his/her part to creatively position 
the home on the market in the best possible 
way to generate maximum interest and, 
ultimately, achieve a successful sale,” says 
Gutfreund.
And sell, they do. Having recently facil-
itated the largest real estate transaction 
in Birmingham at $6M, and the largest in 
Michigan, $40,000,000, in 2017, the agency 
handles everything from small to large sales 
and everything in between. Every single one 
of their listings receives luxury treatment 

and their robust marketing initiatives.

NEW INNOVATIONS
Always working to improve, the team is 
currently in the throes of outlining refine-
ments and new initiatives for the year 
ahead. Among other things, this will include 
a deeper investment and movement toward 
digital and social media, and creativity in 
how they approach the market both directly 
and indirectly.
“We are working toward generating much 
more video content and utilizing platforms 
such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok,” 
Gutfreund says. “This may sound a bit 
unconventional, but if we reach the 16-year-
old whose family is looking to buy their next 
home, and he likes what he sees and shares 
it with his parents, that’s exposure the home 
would not have gotten otherwise.”
Beyond social media and digital market-
ing, the Dan Gutfreund Realty Group layers 
in traditional advertising and coverage with-
in their fully integrated marketing planning 
as well. 
And when it comes to traditional, 
Gutfreund’s approach to customer service 
is that and more. “I believe in the time-hon-
ored handshake and relationships born 
from respect and trust,” he says. “Yes, we 
offer highly innovative technology, paperless 

transactions and advanced digital personal 
amenities, but we also establish longstand-
ing friendships and find pure joy in seeing 
the smiles and excitement that come from 
finding the perfect home for someone.”
In this same vein, Gutfreund and his 
team find fulfillment in assisting the com-
munity and they strive to give back in sever-
al ways. A major sponsor of many charitable 
organizations in Oakland County, the group 
also donates time and funds to the Oakland 
County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League 
(PAL) bike giveaway. They are additionally 
nvolved in Uncork for a Cure to raise money 
for breast cancer research, plus sponsor a 
local youth soccer team, among numerous 
other causes.
In closing, Gutfreund says, “There are 
many great realtors and Metro Detroit is a 
fantastic and thriving area when it comes 
to real estate. At the end of the day, the way 
I differentiate is by surrounding myself and 
working with ingenious marketers who, 
collectively, can position and sell homes like 
no one else.”

DAN GUTFREUND REALTY GROUP 

A Member of Signature Sothebys International Realty

415 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham MI 48009

248-497-4646

dan@signaturesothebys.com

SPONSORED BY DAN GUTFREUND REALTY GROUP 

