T
he Bruen Team, a rapidly growing real estate agency in Morristown, New Jersey, achieved its best year ever in 2024 with $39.93 million in sales volume and secured a spot in the 2025 RealTrends Verified rankings for small teams. Led by Ryan Bruen and his mother Deborah, the multigenerational family-run team operates under an affiliation with Coldwell Banker and serves clients primarily in Morris and Somerset counties.
Ryan's passion for real estate was initially influenced by his grandfather, Carlton J. Bruen, who founded a brokerage under Century 21 in the mid-20th century. Ryan's father, Scott, worked alongside his father before transitioning to a management role at Coldwell Banker, where he eventually joined The Bruen Team in a support capacity.
Ryan initially pursued public accounting and later worked for Citi Habitats in New York City before realizing his true interests lay in real estate. Today, he operates as a full partner with Deborah, representing both buyers and sellers.
The team's success can be attributed to Ryan's focus on systems and innovation, which enables them to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. "We have a lot of systems in place that help our operations run smoothly so that we can really focus our attention on the things that matter," he said.
Ryan notes that flexibility is crucial in today's shifting housing landscape, particularly as national trends diverge from local observations. Northern New Jersey has remained resilient due to a shortage of available housing, driving up home prices and buyer demand.
Despite regulatory shifts and economic uncertainty, Ryan views change as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. "I always look at changes as opportunities to grow – not only to create market share but to really evaluate the way that our industry operates and find ways to excel within those changes," he said.
The Bruen Team continues to thrive through change, staying cutting-edge on the market and aiming to lead rather than simply keep up with competitors.
