San Francisco indie expands; REMAX adds 300-agent firm 

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.

San Francisco firm expands in Marin County

City Real Estate has announced the opening of a new office in Kentfield and the merger of two local firms, Alamere Real Estate and Tam Realty. The boutique brokerage, which surpassed $1 billion in sales volume last year, made the moves as part of a long-term Bay Area expansion strategy, according to a news release.

City's new headquarters will anchor the brokerage's Marin presence, while its office in San Anselmo will stay open. Alamere Real Estate — now The Narodny Team — and Tam Realty — now The Tam Team — closed a combined $123 million in sales in 2025. Both will operate under the City Real Estate | Marin brand, with EVP Margot Rose Edde leading expansion efforts.

City now expects its Marin production to increase from about $40 million annually to $200 million in 2026 — and the brokerage aims to eventually reach $500 million in annual local sales volume.

City Founder David Cohen said the expansion reflects the strong flow of buyers and sellers between San Francisco and Marin. "We represent the boutique firm — the one that is extremely knowledgeable about the areas we serve," Cohen said. "At a time when the market is consolidating into larger corporate companies, we are the opposite. We stand proud as a local company."

300-plus agent brokerage takes up the REMAX banner

Rhode Island-based HomeSmart Professionals is joining REMAX through a brand conversion that sees more than 300 agents stepping beneath the REMAX umbrella.

The firm, which will now do business as REMAX Revolution, operates six offices across the state. The move gives the company access to REMAX's global network, marketing platform and technology tools.

HomeSmart Founder Dean deTonnancourt, who once worked as a REMAX agent, said the decision to join REMAX was driven in part by the brand's focus on agent productivity. "As a broker, having access to a larger network and robust resources for both myself and my agents is critical," he said in a news release, adding that the brand's global reach "makes this move an easy choice."

The conversion reflects a broader trend of independent brokerages affiliating with REMAX to gain stronger resources and brand recognition for their agents, according to CEO Erik Carlson. "They're seeing the massive value REMAX offers their agents — for both now and the future," Carlson said.

Hawai'i Life announces promotions, adds agent

Hawai'i Life has made a trio of leadership changes and added a new agent as it continues to expand statewide.

Luxury specialist Jovanna Fern has joined the brokerage's sales team on Oʻahu. Born and raised in Kanikai, Fern has developed an expertise in historic and architecturally significant homes and frames her guiding philosophy as: "Every home has a story, but not every Realtor knows how to tell it." 

The brokerage also announced the following appointments:

• Palo Luckett, based on Kauaʻi, has been named principal broker after serving as co-managing broker. Luckett brings more than two decades of experience and previously served as immediate past president of the Kaua'i Board of Realtors.

• On Maui, Alex Abreu will add weekend broker duties to his list of responsibilities as broker-in-charge. In the expanded role, he will provide contract review and guidance for agents statewide on weekends.

Oʻahu-based Adam Snyder has been appointed director of agent success and innovation. In this new role, Snyder will support agent training and internal technology initiatives across the brokerage's network of more than 275 agents working across 23 offices.

Howard Hanna picks up Empire State indie

Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors has announced its acquisition of Prime Properties Long Island, bringing the Huntington-based independent firm's 16-person team into Howard Hanna's expanding network.

Prime Properties is known for its client-focused approach and collaborative agent culture, according to a news release. Amy Girimonti, who co-founded the firm in 2014 and now serves as its broker/owner, said the partnership "felt right because it's about people and values."

"Howard Hanna understands family — both in life and in real estate," Girimonti said. "More importantly this alignment allows our agents to continue doing what they do best while gaining long-term support from a world class company."

Whitney LaCosta, president of Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors, said the acquisition will help the company gain market share across Long Island while giving Prime Properties and its agents "more of the tools and resources required to meet client expectations in this increasingly changing real estate market."

20-year industry veteran joins Corcoran in Florida

The Corcoran Group has appointed Mercedes Saewitz to serve as regional vice president for Florida, where she will aim to strengthen the brokerage's presence in South Florida's competitive luxury real estate market.

In her new role, Saewitz will lead Corcoran's offices in Miami Beach and Surfside, while also providing regional support to company-owned offices across Palm Beach County.

A Miami native and graduate of the University of Miami, Saewitz brings more than 20 years of industry experience. She began her career in the hospitality sector in Miami Beach before transitioning into residential real estate, where she quickly emerged as a local leader.

Before joining Corcoran, Saewitz spent more than a decade at Compass, where she helped launch some of the brokerage's national initiatives and managed top-performing agent teams, according to a news release. She most recently served as SVP of operations at LPT Holdings — Aperture Global, where she oversaw compliance, risk management and transaction management.

"Corcoran's core values of integrity, service, and market expertise align perfectly with my own," Saewitz said. "I look forward to empowering our agents and driving innovation in an increasingly global and competitive market."

Coldwell Banker regional leader to oversee hundreds of agents

Coldwell Banker Realty — Gundaker has appointed Brian Ellsworth to serve as regional vice president for the St. Louis region. In his new role, Ellsworth will oversee nine offices and more than 1,100 agents.

Ellsworth will focus on strengthening regional leadership, expanding agent support and development, and driving market share growth. He brings more than 25 years of real estate leadership experience spanning brokerage management, investment services, property management and market analysis, according to a news release. 

Ellsworth most recently served as Coldwell Banker Realty's district VP, where he led operations across nine offices representing $3 billion in transaction volume. During his tenure, the district reported gains in revenue, agent productivity and overall market share. 

Ellsworth's background in appraisal, economic research and strategic planning provides a broad perspective on housing market trends and brokerage operations as the firm looks to strengthen its presence in the St. Louis market, the company noted.

"I am honored to step into this role and proud to support the talented agents and leaders who make our St. Louis region exceptional," Ellsworth said. "Together, we will continue to elevate our service, expand our market leadership, and deliver unmatched value to our clients and communities."

More brokerage news

John R. Wood Christie's International Real Estate has opened a new office on Fort Myers Beach in Florida. Located within luxury remodeling firm Interiors Unlimited's design showroom, the office space allows agents and remodeling professionals to work side by side — an arrangement designed to help buyers and sellers better evaluate renovation potential, according to a news release. The partnership gives clients "immediate access" to design expertise when considering properties that may require updates or rebuilding, President Corey McCloskey said.

Coldwell Banker Realty has welcomed luxury agent David Hunt Solomon into the fold in South Florida. A Miami Beach native, Solomon has closed about $500 million in sales over the course of his two-decade career and boasts a portfolio that includes high-profile deals and development projects across the region. "I felt like Coldwell Banker Realty was a company that would stand behind and believe in me, appreciating and valuing my individuality and creativity that set me apart from the rest," Solomon said in a news release, adding that he believes his "talents will be an excellent match" for the company.

In the greater Atlanta area, meanwhile, Coldwell Banker Realty announced the opening of a new office in Canton, Georgia. Managing Broker Jenny Skeens, who also oversees offices in the Atlanta suburbs of Marietta and Douglasville, said the new location will be "built around productivity, collaboration, and a culture where agents support each other and actually win together."

Christie's International Real Estate @properties elleven has added agent Erika Skogg as part of its expansion into Door County, Wisconsin. Establishing a presence in the area "was on our radar," according to Melissa LeGrand, the firm's broker/owner, "but it was important to find the right partner who would provide the highest level of service." Skogg brings "a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record," LeGrand added in a news release, declaring Skogg "the right choice to build around in the region."

eXp Realty Chief Marketing Officer Wendy Forsythe has released her nonfiction debut "Leverage Your X-Factor: The 6-Step Framework to Scale Your Real Estate Business and Reclaim Your Life." The book aims to help real estate professionals build scalable businesses aligned with personal goals, rather than relying solely on "hustle" and inevitable burnout, according to a news release. All of the book's proceeds will go to eXp Extend a Hand, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance to agents, staff and their families facing hardship due to catastrophic events or medical crises.