Brokerage Beat: News from The Agency, RE/MAX, Sotheby's, more
The Agency Seattle grows; RE/MAX nabs Houston indie; Sotheby's now in Anguilla; C21 adds W. Virginia firm; top NY agent back at Compass; Corcoran firm expands.
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.
The Agency Seattle gains three market leaders
Three Seattle-area agents have made the jump from Realogics Sotheby's International Realty to The Agency Seattle.
Sandra Hines and Blake Waggoner of The Hines Group, along with Dave Janssens, who specializes in properties in Seattle's eastern suburbs, will join The Agency Seattle, which opened its doors in 2022.
The Hines Group, led by 20-year veteran Sandra Hines, has consistently ranked among the top brokers in the West Seattle market. Hines was the No. 1 broker by sales volume in 2018 and 2019, and has been in the top 10 overall for West Seattle every year since 2015. Waggoner, who works as a buyer's agent, transitioned to real estate in 2020 after holding leadership positions in operations for a national transportation company.
Janssens has more than two decades of experience, claiming the top spot for sales at his previous firm. A luxury specialist, he has also been the No. 1 agent for sales volume and total home sales in the upscale Houghton neighborhood in Kirkland, a lakeside community on Seattle's Eastside.
Hines will serve as senior real estate broker and Janssens will serve as managing broker for The Agency Seattle.
Houston indie joins RE/MAX
The Houston brokerage formerly known as Exceed Realty is now RE/MAX Exclusive.
Owner Michael Bahn, who started his career as a loan officer, transitioned to real estate sales in 2006 and opened his own brokerage in 2013. In the past decade, the firm, which serves the greater Houston metro area, has grown to more than 110 agents, with $125 million in sales volume in 2022.
After achieving that success as an unaffiliated office, Bahn said he decided it was time to join RE/MAX for the internationally recognized brand name and the tools and marketing resources it can offer his agents.
"My decision to align with the RE/MAX brand is the best way to stay competitive while providing stability and sustainability into the future," he said. "The immense resources and marketing tools that RE/MAX brings to the table will help streamline the real estate process for my agents and their clients."
Sotheby's launches in Anguilla
Sotheby's International Realty is continuing its expansion in the Caribbean with the opening of an office in Anguilla, its 31st office in the Caribbean.
Anguilla Sotheby's International Realty is owned by Lesley Reed and Harrison Drouin-Reed, who also operate St. Martin Sotheby's International Realty.
"Lesley and Harrison have a strong understanding of the market and we are proud to have them represent the brand in Anguilla," said Philip White, president and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty.
White said the island itself is a perfect fit for the luxury brand. "The island attracts a wide variety of buyers, including expatriates, high-net-worth individuals, and foreign investors due to the region's tax laws," White said.
"The timing is perfect for Sotheby's International Realty to be entering Anguilla," said Reed. "The market is set to expand with the upcoming private jet terminal, the marina, and the new ferry terminal plus the airport is also accommodating commercial international flights. We are optimistic that the Anguillan real estate market is poised for success."
Century 21 adds West Virginia affiliate
West Virginia's Modern Realty Results is now a Century 21 affiliate.
Broker Larry DeMarco Sr. opened the company, now doing business as Century 21 Modern Realty Results, in 2018.
DeMarco is both a real estate veteran, with 28 years in the industry, and also a military veteran. His military career included service in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served as staff sergeant.
The brokerage staff has strong ties to the region, and DeMarco was raised in Jefferson County.
"We don't try to have the most agents or the biggest service area, we just want to be the best at what we do," said DeMarco.
"Most of us are from the area and we can use our local knowledge to our advantage. What takes us one step further is our passion and our commitment to helping the community flourish. We don't take our community's trust for granted and we look to continue to display our level of dedication in every client interaction."
'Million Dollar Listing' agent returns to Compass
New York City agent Scott Fava has returned to Compass and brought his team with him.
Featured on Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York and NBC's Open House NYC, Fava has 19 years of experience in real estate.
"Scott is best in class at his craft and an amazing human being," said Gordon Golub, Compass Tri-State regional VP. "We could not be happier to welcome Scott and his team back to Compass and help them accomplish all their business growth and goals."
Fava left Compass in 2019 to join NestSeekers International, forming a team including Maryse Hofstee, Chris Mohr, Alexander Clarke and Matthew Abril that brought in over half a billion dollars in combined sales.
The Fava Team is focused on the Manhattan and Brooklyn markets. And while the team's agents have made a splash with multimillion-dollar sales, they anticipate working with clients in all price ranges.
"Returning to Compass wasn't just a strategic decision for me, it was a personal acknowledgment of the transformative impact their technology holds," said Fava. "More than just cutting-edge tools, what sets Compass apart is the profound sense of community and interconnectedness among its agents."
NJ Corcoran franchise expands into Pennsylvania
New Jersey-based brokerage Corcoran Sawyer Smith has entered the Pennsylvania market with the acquisition of the longstanding family-owned company Weidel Real Estate.
Sawyer Smith, broker/owner of Corcoran Sawyer Smith, said the acquisition will benefit agents and clients at both firms. "Together, we are ensuring a future of continued success, where collaboration thrives, and our collective strengths can continue to best serve our amazing clients," he said.
With the acquisition, Corcoran Sawyer Smith now boasts 250 agents and 10 offices across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Weidel Real Estate was founded in 1915 by Karl Weidel Jr. as The Weidel Corporation with a single real estate and insurance office in Trenton, New Jersey. Over the course of the next century, the company grew to 180 agents in seven offices.
Richard Weidel Jr., who joined the company in 1979, is CEO and broker of record, and his daughter Katherine Weidel, who joined the company in 2019, is chief operating officer.
"The iconic Corcoran branding, innovative marketing, abundant agent coaching resources, along with the shared dedication to excellence, were the foundational blocks of our decision in choosing to partner with Corcoran Sawyer Smith," said Weidel Jr. "Through this impressive partnership, we look forward to another century of growth and continued success."