Corcoran expands abroad; Hanna program rewards luxury agents 

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.

Corcoran expands in Georgia, launches first affiliate in Spain

The Corcoran Group announced two expansions this week — one in the South and another overseas.

In Europe: Corcoran has expanded its international franchise network into Spain with the launch of Corcoran Micasamo, a brokerage serving the Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida and Costa Almería regions. The move marks Corcoran's first affiliate in the country and continues its broader push across European luxury and second-home markets.

Founded in 2019 by Darren Brown, Micasamo Realty focuses on international buyers from the U.K. and Northern Europe and has built its business through digital marketing and developer partnerships. Brown and his wife, Natalie Brown, also raise their firm's profile among overseas buyers by appearing on the U.K. television series "Sun, Sea and Selling Houses," according to a news release.

"Spain is one of Europe's most compelling real estate destinations, drawing international buyers with its exceptional lifestyle, climate, and extraordinary value proposition," Corcoran Group President and CEO Pamela Liebman said, adding that the Micasamo team has "built a remarkable business by deeply understanding the needs of international buyers and delivering a professional, brand-led experience that sets a new standard in these markets."

Corcoran Micasamo said it plans to open additional offices across Spain in the coming years.

In Georgia: Corcoran Classic Living has opened a new office in downtown Watkinsville, expanding the Athens-based brokerage's footprint in Oconee County and nearby luxury markets. The office will serve clients across Watkinsville and surrounding communities south of Athens, including Lake Oconee, Greensboro and Historic Madison.

The new office will be led by Corcoran Classic Living Broker/Owner Sarah Ellis, whose team has grown its presence across the greater Athens area through residential sales and new construction, according to a news release. The office will also include gallery space featuring rotating exhibits from local artists, starting with work by Winston Crawford Wiant.

"We are thrilled to expand our physical footprint into Watkinsville and to make a deeper investment in this extraordinary community," Ellis said. "So many of our agents call Watkinsville and Oconee County home, and having a true presence here will allow us to serve our clients with even greater proximity, knowledge, and care."

Elliman expands in the Granite State, brings mortgage platform to California

Douglas Elliman has announced that its in-house mortgage platform is now available in California markets. Plus, a $1.5B team in the Northeast picks up an agent who "naturally aligns" with its business proposition.

In New Hampshire: The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman has expanded into New Hampshire with the addition of agent Adam Pettitt, who is bringing LOOKOUT Lake Winnipesaukee into the team's new development portfolio. The 48-unit luxury community in Laconia is projected to generate more than $40 million in sales and is nearly sold out already, according to a news release.

Led by brothers George and Manny Sarkis, the team has closed more than $1.5 billion in sales. Pettitt's addition extends its footprint beyond Massachusetts, strengthening its presence across the Northeast luxury market.

Pettitt "is an excellent fit for our team and an important part of our long-term vision across the Northeast," George Sarkis said, adding that Pettitt "naturally aligns" with the team's focus on "trust, relationships, and a high level of service."

In California: Elliman Capital, Douglas Elliman's in-house mortgage platform, is now available in California through a partnership with Cohen Financial Group. The platform, which first launched in Florida last year and expanded to New York in January, will serve clients and agents across the Greater Los Angeles market, including in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Calabasas and Pasadena, according to a news release.

Cohen Financial Group Founder Mark Cohen will serve as Elliman Capital's mortgage broker in the region, providing a variety of financing options such as jumbo loans, construction financing, bridge loans and lending solutions for self-employed borrowers, investors and foreign nationals. The platform also includes tools that allow agents to track loan progress and receive real-time financing updates during transactions.

"California represents one of the most complex and competitive real estate markets in the country," Douglas Elliman President and CEO Michael Liebowitz said, describing the expansion as "a natural evolution of our platform."

"With Mark's expertise, we are strengthening our ability to deliver seamless, customized financing solutions that support our agents and elevate the client experience at every stage of the transaction," Liebowitz added.

Howard Hanna launches luxury agent membership program

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has launched The Luxury Circle of Excellence, an invitation-only membership program for top-performing luxury agents across the brokerage's 15-state footprint.

The brokerage said the initiative is designed to support its growth in the high-end market through referral opportunities, market intelligence and specialized programming.

Membership is limited to agents with at least 10 sales above $1 million over the past five years. Mollie Hanna Lang, who was named director of luxury marketing and marketplace operations at the firm earlier this year, will lead the program.

"Howard Hanna has always been built on relationships, and this initiative tailors that philosophy to our agents who are expertly advising the most discerning clients," CEO Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna IV said in a news release. "Membership is not about volume," he added — "it's about legacy and leadership."

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.