About 155 agents and brokers stopped by the buildings on the luncheon circuit, which included the Left Bank in University City, Locust on the Park on South 25th Street, and Symphony House, the high-rise condo building on South Broad that is 95 percent sold, the developer says.
Prudential Fox & Roach agent Patrick O'Connell, who specializes in for-sale properties, said he was accompanying another agent who handles commercial listings.
"I'd never seen 777 before, and this gave me an opportunity to do so," O'Connell said.
Harris, who has worked for developers in the suburbs as well as the city for many years, said the downturn in the for-sale market had made Realtors "cooperate much more freely and often with us on rentals."
"At some of our rental properties, 40 percent to 50 percent of our traffic is coming from Realtors," she said. It has paid off at 777 especially: Ninety-nine of 142 units (including models and hospitality suites) have been rented, with five leases signed the first week in February.
Dranoff offers cooperating agents a commission of one-half month's or a full month's rent, depending on the unit - at 777, a two-bedroom is $2,500 - for every one they lease.
In addition to the rental properties on the tour, commissions are offered for the Victor in Camden and Venice Lofts in Manayunk.
"It is also a quick process since they don't have to wait for a mortgage commitment or settlement," she said.
Although the renters at 777 include sports figures and doctors from nearby hospitals, some had been working with agents for months on home purchases and decided instead to lease, Harris said.
