BEVERLY HILLS, CA—A new networking association of independent residential real estate brokerage firms has been launched, aiming to promote closer ties between like-minded companies.

Leverage Global Partners, led by veteran realtor F. Ron Smith, offers members an opportunity to network and leverage several promotional services. The association charges a $500 monthly fee per company and already has 29 members on board.

They have already referred more than $70 million in business between fellow members, Smith claims, and have members in California, Colorado, New York, Florida, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cannes, London, Tokyo and Bangkok.

Leverage Global Partners claims to differentiate itself from existing international luxury real estate associations by vetting each potential member in terms of market leadership, service and accountability. It offers membership to only one independent brokerage company per community and provides members with public relations service for their properties and search engine boosts.

Potential members must be independent and not part of a franchise. They can visit the web site www.leverageRE.com to get more information and submit a query on membership.

Smith started his real estate career with Coldwell Banker, then moved to Sotheby's. He claims to have sold almost $750 million in real estate during his career and “a lot was done through referral,” he tells GlobeSt.com. That networking was the impetus behind starting the new association. “We want like-minded independent real estate companies in each community, country and overseas,” he says. “We want them to (have) president to president communications.”

He recalled a recent introduction of someone in Bangkok, Thailand to someone in Shanghai, China. “I know each of these people, and what we do is one by one, make an introduction. So you know that when you're calling Vail, Co. and get Suzi Apple at Gateway, you know she's like-minded and vetted and has similar core beliefs.”

Smith is a cofounder of Partners Trust Real Estate Brokerage and Acquisitions in Beverly Hills, but is now focused full-time on Leverage. They have offices in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

As reported by GlobeSt.com, the SIOR Independent Broker Group, an association for industrial brokers, recently held a successful conference in Palm Springs.