Howard Hanna enters Philly; TX firm renews BHGRE deal 

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.

Hanna enters the City of Brotherly Love

Howard Hanna Real Estate is expanding in Pennsylvania through a new partnership with Art Herling, a 45-year industry veteran who is bringing a team of more than 100 agents with him.

The move adds to Howard Hanna's growing footprint in the state and brings the independent brokerage's agent-first model into the Philadelphia market for the first time, according to a news release.

Herling's agents work in four offices that serve Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. By aligning with Howard Hanna, the company said, his agents will gain access to the brokerage's integrated mortgage, title and insurance services, along with its technology, marketing and operational support.

After conducting business in Pennsylvania for nearly 70 years, moving into Philadelphia allows Howard Hanna to carry its "legacy forward while continuing to invest in agents, families, and the communities they serve," said Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna IV, the brokerage's CEO.

For Herling, partnering with Howard Hanna "felt right because it's about people and values," he said.

"This alignment allows our agents to continue doing what they do best while gaining long-term support from a company that shares our commitment to service, independence, and growth," Herling added.

Father-son duo now leading HomeSmart team in Arizona

A month after announcing the launch of NEXT, a new team model spearheaded by Phil Sexton that aims to support agents' personal brands in Arizona's Phoenix and Scottsdale markets, HomeSmart has welcomed Phil's father Jim to the team.

Jim Sexton, a local real estate professional with over 40 years of brokerage leadership experience, will focus on growth and expansion in his role as an expert advisor to NEXT, according to a news release.

Jim Sexton was previously president of the Phoenix Association of Realtors, president of the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service and president of the Arizona Association of Realtors. He also served as director and executive committee member at NAR and is a certified real estate instructor who teaches courses on agency law, contracts, disclosure, risk management and transaction oversight.

With NEXT now led by the father-and-son duo, HomeSmart is "confident that agents will discover that it is possible to have dedicated support — AND a profitable commission model — without sacrifice," said Stacey Onnen, president of HomeSmart.

Texas firm extends BHGRE affiliation

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene has chosen to renew its affiliation with BHGRE, continuing a longstanding relationship that preserves local ownership while maintaining national brand alignment, the brokerage said in a news release.

Founded in 1963, the Houston-based firm is currently led by local owner and CEO Mark Woodroof, who also serves as chair of the Texas Real Estate Commission. The brokerage operates with a partnership-focused model that offers in-house coaching, dedicated marketing support and proprietary technology designed to help agents customize and scale their businesses.

BHGRE Gary Greene and its agents have become industry leaders "because they consistently redefine how real estate is delivered," BHGRE President Ginger Wilcox said, adding that the renewal "is about building the next chapter of that legacy, together."

With over 5,000 closed transactions, the firm's "success has always been rooted in local ownership, principled leadership, and a clear understanding that brokerages exist to serve agents, not the other way around," Woodroof said.

Extending its affiliation with the BHGRE brand "allows us to stay true to who we are while expanding the strategic tools, technology, and scale our affiliated agents need to execute at the highest level," he added.

More brokerage news

Iron Valley Real Estate (IVRE) has appointed Tammie Kennedy to serve as its franchise business consultant. Kennedy brings over 15 years of experience in similar roles within real estate and other industries — a background that Pennsylvania-based indie brokerage IVRE said aligns with its goal of helping guide franchise owners trying to scale their business in competitive markets. "Bringing on exceptional talent like Tammie strengthens our ability to support owners at the local level, drive operational consistency, and help our franchises perform at their highest potential," IVRE COO Lisa Loser said in a news release.

Michael Saunders & Company has announced that the Krawczyk Pagano Team will be joining its Central Avenue office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Led by Lauren Krawczyk and Nikki Pagano, the team closed over $400 million in career sales, with a sales volume of $54 million in 2025 alone, according to a news release. Agents Crissy McWilliams, Christine Foster Carvin, Alicia Warburton and Keri Thigpen will also be joining the independent Florida firm as part of the move.

Portside Real Estate Group has announced a new addition to its New Hampshire office: Andrew Raffenello, an experienced agent who cited Portside's "professionalism, integrity, and a client-first mindset" as key factors in his decision to join the independent New England firm. "I'm excited to be part of a brokerage that prioritizes people, community, and purpose," he said in a news release. Portside has welcomed several new real estate professionals in recent weeks, including veteran agent Joey Giordano and associate broker Peter Blake.

Editor's note: AI was used in the initial drafting of this content, which was then thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked and revised by a Real Estate News editor.