Brokerage Beat: Closing out the year with growth and philanthropy
Latest news: Coldwell Banker nabs high-volume affiliate; The Agency opens in the Dominican Republic; KW and Windermere fund community causes
Editor's note: The brokerage business is a busy one, with frequent moves, mergers and milestones. Here we highlight some of the latest activity among brokerages across the U.S.
Coldwell Banker grows reach in Midwest
Coldwell Banker will boost its brand presence in the Midwest after a franchise affiliate acquisition of major independent brokerage d'aprile properties.
Wisconsin-based Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group purchased d'aprile properties, bringing it to 70 offices representing more than 2,000 affiliated sales professionals across four states. D'aprile did nearly $1.2 billion in sales volume in 2021.
Ryan D'Aprile founded d'aprile properties in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood in 2011. By the time of the acquisition, it had reached 380 full-time agents in 11 offices throughout Greater Chicagoland, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Michigan City, Indiana.
"The addition of Ryan and the remarkable agents of d'aprile properties not only expands our footprint in the region, it further strengthens the brand in our marketplace," said Mike Prodehl, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.
"We are thrilled to partner with Mike Prodehl and the Coldwell Banker Brand," said D'Aprile. "I love our company and agents and found, after getting to know Mike, that this is the best next step for our family of agents to move forward together."
The Agency expands in the Caribbean
Boutique luxury brokerage The Agency is opening its first office in the Dominican Republic. The firm now has four locations in the Caribbean following expansion in the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the Cayman Islands.
The local team will be led by real estate industry veterans Edward De Valle II, Nurit Coombe, Alex Martinez, Juan Diaz Rivera, and Paige and Peter Torkan who will each serve as Managing Partner.
"We know this group of incredible Managing Partners will serve as wonderful stewards of our unique Agency culture as our footprint expands into the Dominican Republic, said Mauricio Umansky, CEO and founder of The Agency.
The Dominican Republic office is one of 24 new corporate and independently owned offices opened by The Agency this year.
Keller Williams helps fund expansion of community for formerly homeless
Keller Williams donated $100,000 to Mobile Loaves & Fishes to support the expansion of a community designed for people coming out of chronic homelessness.
The donation is part of a 10-year, $1 million commitment to support the Austin charity's Community First! Village.
"Community First! Village represents the model for how communities across our world can seek to resolve the immense challenges of homelessness," said Gary Keller, executive chairman of kwx. "We're honored to continue supporting its success and robust expansion efforts."
Community First! Village is a 51-acre master planned community serving the Austin area housing nearly 400 formerly homeless residents. Mobile Loaves & Fishes recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a 127-acre addition that will add an estimated 1,400 homes for individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness in the Austin area.
"We're extremely grateful to the Keller Williams team for their continued generosity and support as we press forward with the expansion of Community First! Village," said Alan Graham, the CEO and founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
Windermere reaches $50M in donations for its 50th anniversary
Seattle-based Windermere Real Estate has reached its goal of $50 million in total donations to its nonprofit arm to mark its 50th anniversary.
Earlier this year, Windermere set the goal to reach the $50 million mark by year's end. At the time, donations to The Windermere Foundation totaled $46 million
The company challenged Windermere agents, franchise owners and staff to nearly double their typical annual fundraising in order to reach the milestone in time for the anniversary.
"The company accepted the challenge with zeal," said Windermere Foundation Executive Director Christine Wood.
Fundraising efforts included the first-ever Windermere Foundation Gala, which raised $1.6 million and featured the auction of a Pearl Jam package conducted by guitarist Mike McCready himself.
The Windermere Foundation provides funding to low-income and homeless families in the communities where Windermere operates.