Howard Hanna enters the Peach State; 2 big eXp teams merge in SoCal 

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.

Howard Hanna continues to grow in the Southeast

Howard Hanna Real Estate has expanded its market share in South Carolina and Georgia with the acquisition of Coastal Properties, an independent firm serving the region since 1998.

Howard Hanna made its first foray into the South Carolina Low Country in Oct. 2024 with the acquisition of The Alliance Group Realty; the addition of Coastal Properties and its 160 agents marks the family-owned company's entrance into Georgia.  

In the past year, the brokerage closed on two other significant M&As: Big Hill Realty in October and Home Experts Realty — a 400-agent Ohio firm — in January. Earlier this month, the firm also announced the rebrand of North Carolina-based Allen Tate Realtors, which partnered with Hanna in 2018, to Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate.

The moves are part of an overarching strategy, according to CEO Hoby Hanna. "At Howard Hanna, we're not just expanding for the sake of growth — we're making deliberate investments in markets where we see opportunity, momentum and the ability to create meaningful market connections for our clients," he said in a news release. 

The deals also reflect a consolidation trend among indie brokerages, T3 Sixty's Jack Miller told Real Estate News in July. "What's happening is that large family-owned or independent brands — like Howard Hanna, Windermere, John L. Scott, Baird & Warner and companies like that — since they are usually the biggest independent company in their market, they're natural acquirers within their market," Miller explained. (Note: Real Estate News is an editorially independent division of T3 Sixty.)

Elliman nabs experienced Florida team

The Schemmel Soda Group, a west Florida team co-founded by Joel Schemmel and Donna Soda, is joining Douglas Elliman. The small group, which previously aligned with Premier Sotheby's International Realty, will be based out of Elliman's Sarasota office.

Schemmel brings law and tax consulting experience, as well as a "deep understanding of Sarasota real estate," according to a press release. Soda has worked in the industry for decades and is particularly familiar with Florida's Greater Lakewood Ranch area. Tagging along are Marketing Director Katie Kurbiel, Client Service Coordinator Preston Lane and agents Sharon Chiodi and Patti Tebo.

Schemmel described the move as a "decisive step forward" that will provide his team with "unmatched global reach, cutting-edge marketing, and boutique-style agility." Joining Elliman will "allow us to respond swiftly to client and market needs, all while preserving the personalized, results-driven service that defines us," he said.

Both Schemmel and Soda have "unmatched expertise and leadership in Sarasota and the surrounding luxury markets," noted Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Brokerage, Florida Region and President of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, Florida. "They have built a strong, trusted brand, and this represents a strategic win for our Sarasota operations and the clients we serve."

2 large eXp teams merge as another returns

A new team has formed at eXp following the merger of Whissel Realty Group and Beer Home Team in Southern California. The new Whissel Beer Group boasts 160 agents and over 60 staff members, with five offices located in San Diego and Riverside counties.

Whissel Beer Group CEO Kyle Whissel, who last year led eXp's top team in sales volume worldwide, said in a press release that the merger will enable their agents to "thrive like never before."

"Together, we're combining the best systems, trademarked processes, leadership, and culture to deliver an end-to-end experience that sets a new standard in real estate," he said.

The Whissel and Beer teams were responsible for closing nearly $1 billion in sales last year. Their unification is now "breaking ground on what the future of real estate teams looks like," according to Leo Pareja, CEO at eXp Realty.

In the Lone Star State, the San Antonio-based Victorica Group is back at eXp after a short stint as an independent. More than 100 agents are part of the brokerage, which has closed over $103 million in sales.

Of their return to eXp, Victorica Group Founder Mario Victorica said that the decision "ultimately came down to values."

"Leadership isn't just about being at the top. It's about lifting others up with you," he said.

More brokerage news

Ten Hoeve Realty Group launches new firm with Side: David "DJ" and Nicole "Nici" Ten Hoeve are stepping out on their own after 17 years as KW-affiliated agents. The New Jersey-based husband-and-wife team, which closed more than $138 million in sales last year, has established Privé Haus, a boutique firm supported by Side's brokerage platform. DJ Ten Hoeve said the new venture represents "everything we've built our careers around, now elevated into something all our own." The brokerage includes 12 agents with combined lifetime sales exceeding $1 billion.

Virginia brokerage leader appointed to housing board: John S. Finn, Jr., co-founder and COO of United Real Estate Richmond, has been named to the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust board of trustees. The organization works to expand access to housing by creating and preserving permanently affordable homes in the greater Richmond area. Finn, in addition to his nearly five decades in real estate, is also a longtime civic leader who has served on numerous local boards. His service aligns with his belief that real estate professionals "have greater responsibility in participating in community development," he told Real Estate News in June. "I advocate for property rights in all their forms, ensuring that individuals and communities have the opportunity of homeownership," he emphasized.

BHHS adopts Zillow Showcase: Following in the footsteps of parent company HomeServices of America, which announced plans in April to provide access to Zillow's enhanced listing tools, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has now adopted Zillow Showcase. The immersive listing product has been found to increase listing views and help featured homes sell faster, according to Zillow data. "Our agents have quickly embraced Zillow Showcase," Vince Leisey, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, said in a news release. BHHS is offering Showcase "to ensure [agents] have the best tools at their fingertips to grow their businesses and get results for their clients," he added.

The Agency launches in Costa Rica: The global firm's San José office marks its third location in Central America following previous launches in Panama and Nicaragua. The office will be led by Managing Partners Clari Vega and Andrés Riggioni. "Costa Rica's strong property laws, expanding infrastructure, and growing international demand make it one of the most compelling real estate markets in the world right now," James Ramsay, EVP of The Agency's Franchise Division, said in a news release, adding that Vega and Riggioni are "perfectly positioned to guide clients through both the opportunities and the lifestyle that make Costa Rica so unique."