M&As at C21, Coldwell Banker, REMAX 

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.

C21 expands in Ohio, Georgia; invests in agent development

This week, Century 21 announced a new merger that will expand its reach in three states. The brand also welcomed a new affiliate in southern Georgia and named a new VP of agent development and coaching in Chicagoland.

Indie hoists C21 flag: Ohio-based Century 21 Excellence Realty has merged with Realty Exchange, a formerly independent brokerage with offices along the borders of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. Founded 12 years ago by Shane Radcliff, Realty Exchange will operate as Century 21 Excellence Realty moving forward.

Excellence Realty now has 11 offices with 275 agents in three states, according to a news release. The move will provide Realty Exchange's agents with additional tools and other resources, Radcliff noted, which "will elevate the service they can provide to their clients." 

Joining the brand "puts us in a great position to assist agents in taking their business to the next level," he added.

For Excellence Realty broker Tony DeAnna, the merger "makes so much sense" because he and Radcliff "operate in very similar ways."

"Our shared philosophies of putting agents and clients at the forefront of everything we do provides a rock solid foundation for working collaboratively," DeAnna said.

South Georgia firm affiliates with C21: The Avenues Real Estate Partners in Thomasville, Georgia, is now affiliated with Century 21. The firm, which has nearly 20 agents, will begin doing business as Century 21 Avenues Real Estate Partners.

Sarah and Scottie Thompson lead the brokerage, which has operated since 2018. Sarah Thompson brings over 25 years of real estate experience while Scottie Thompson brings 19. In addition to leading their firm, they have each held leadership positions with the Thomasville Area Board of Realtors.

Stepping under the C21 umbrella will help the firm streamline their processes and gain "more bandwidth to spend time with those who come to them for help," according to a news release.

As a new C21 affiliate, "we can leverage not only our extensive experience and local knowledge, but we can also leverage an internationally recognized brand and the most up-to-date real estate systems and services to help our clients and agents alike achieve their real estate goals," Sarah Thompson said.

C21 Circle doubles down on agent coaching: Shortly after entering the Chicago area, Century 21 Circle has appointed Chris Stephens to serve as vice president of agent development and coaching.

Stephens, who began working in real estate in 2006, has become well-known in the area, nabbing local awards and establishing himself as an agent coach, according to a news release.

C21 Circle CEO Melissa Archer-Wirtz described Stephens as "a true leader" whose expertise will be "an invaluable addition to our executive team as we continue to invest in agent growth and leadership development."

Stephens is expected to design and take charge of C21 Circle's Agent Accountability Group program and coaching platform.

"This role is about helping professionals turn knowledge into execution — and execution into results," Stephens said.

"I'm excited to help lead that charge and be part of the company's continued evolution."

CB enters new market in the Empire State

Coldwell Banker Realty is opening a new office in New York following its merger with Exprop Realty. 

The new location, which serves as CB's first in Putnam County, will serve clients in and around Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.

Exprop Realty Owner Gary Margolis will be part of the Putnam County office as an associate broker. He is known as a top producer in the county and has developed a special expertise in the Lake Mahopac area, according to a news release.

Tammy Benkwitt, senior managing director for Coldwell Banker's Putnam County Regional, Somers and Beacon offices, said the brand is "thrilled" to work with Margolis and his team.

"Our new office represents our commitment to supporting local agents, clients, and the vibrant real estate market in Putnam County," Benkwitt said. "We look forward to helping our neighbors achieve their real estate goals and continuing to lead the market with integrity and innovation."

REMAX broker expands footprint in Indiana

REMAX At The Crossing, an Indianapolis-based firm led by Owner Mike Jones, now boasts seven offices and nearly 100 agents in Indiana following its acquisition of REMAX Centerstone.

Centerstone adds two offices — one each in Avon and Plainfield — and over 30 agents, according to a news release. Former Owner Lance Rhoades, who first acquired Centerstone 23 years ago, will stay on as the brokerage's chief financial officer.

As Rhoades' firm grew, "we saw an opportunity to become a leading REMAX franchise on the west side of Indiana," he explained. "This new partnership with REMAX At The Crossing is a natural extension of that vision. It's a powerful alignment of two companies that share similar values, goals and a deep commitment to their agents."

Jones, who has led REMAX At The Crossing for over 10 years, said his firm's growth "is pivotal for the betterment of the services, relationships and support to our agents, their clients and the communities we call home."

"For us, the work of becoming better for our clients never ends. It's the standard we live by," Jones added.

More brokerage news

SERHANT has entered Nevada with the opening of its first office in Las Vegas. The region will be represented by SERHANT agents and teams who have a collective sales volume exceeding $600 million in the past 12 months, according to a news release. Managing Broker Bill Oskilanec will oversee the expansion, which Founder and CEO Ryan Serhant "couldn't be happier to announce" following moves into Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Arizona earlier this year. 

"Las Vegas is an incredible market and now is the perfect time to bring our media and AI powered, client-focused approach to one of the country's fastest-growing luxury markets," Serhant said.

The Agency is welcoming Maile Aguila to its office in Miami. Aguila, an agent with over four decades of experience in real estate and finance, spent 30 years with Swire Properties as SVP of residential sales and held senior management roles with The Sunshine Group, Ben Franklin Properties and Lowell Homes, among others. At The Agency, she will work closely with CEO Mauricio Umansky to lead sales at HQ Residences Miami, according to a news release.

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. has secured a licensing agreement with PalmAruba Group in Noord, Aruba. The firm will now operate as Weichert — Aruba Realty under the leadership of Founder and Managing Director Victor Acosta. The deal reflects Weichert's ongoing international expansion efforts and comes less than a year after the company entered Portugal. Weichert President Bill Scavone described Aruba as having a "thriving real estate market with tremendous opportunities" and said the partnership "demonstrates how adaptable our model and systems are across diverse markets."

Elite International Realty has opened a new corporate headquarters in Aventura, Florida, a move that serves as "a symbol of our growth and vision, representing the shared success of our agents, team, clients, and leadership," according to CEO Daniel Ickowicz. The location gives Elite "a permanent home" for its 80+ agents, the 31-year-old company said in a news release, and demonstrates "an investment in our future," Ickowicz explained. "It's a place where the next chapter of Elite International's legacy unfolds," he added.