Spire Group is a full-service real estate firm, offering services to renters, sellers, buyers, investors, and developers on both the residential and commercial side. Its founder, Kevin Kurland, has called it the only true 100 percent commission model firm in town (agents would pay monthly agent dues). Kurlands model was an attempt to lure the best brokers to his firm, but competitors have questioned whether the promise of total commission is accurate.

What they cant question is Spires aspirations, or its results. Formed in 2011 and named for the Empire State Building, Spire has since grown to more than 160 agents, who must now have at least one year of experience, a high closing ratio, and a track record of at least $100,000 a year in gross commissions.

The firm now lists commercial and residential spaces in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. In 2014, Spire was named one of The Real Deals top mid-sized firms, and one of Spires brokers that same year received the Deal of the Year award from the Real Estate Board of New York.