Brokerage Beat: Affiliations, expansions and notable milestones 

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 joins forces with Albert Anthony 

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services announced a merger with Albert Anthony Real Estate, based in Pittsburgh.

This is Howard Hanna's first residential merger in western Pennsylvania in more than a decade. The merged companies share backgrounds as local, family-owned companies with strong ties to the Pittsburgh community.

"It's such a benefit to partner with another family-owned company that's built a real legacy of excellence," said Howard "Hoby" Hanna IV, president of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. "We're looking forward to working with the team at Albert Anthony to continue to grow and enhance their business."

This is Howard Hanna's ninth merger in 2022.

Two top agents open new RE/MAX Relations office in Jacksonville

Danny Fontaine and Michael Pisacreta joined the RE/MAX brand, opening RE/MAX Relations in Jacksonville, Florida.

The office opened with eight agents and specializes in residential, waterfront, luxury and military services.

"As an owner, I wanted our agents to be with a brokerage that I would want to be with as an agent," says Pisacreta.

"After twenty years in the business, and being with a few different brands, I can say that RE/MAX is the best by far."

Virginia firm joins The Agency

The Agency, featured on shows like "Buying Beverly Hills" and "Million Dollar Listing," launched a new franchise office in Chesapeake, Virginia, its first in the state and its 22nd new office in the past year.

Alan and Betsy Thompson, longtime agents in the coastal Virginia market, will lead the office as managing partners. They owned and operated an independent brokerage, Lucky Homes LLC, before signing on with The Agency.

"We're excited to further expand our presence on the East Coast as we launch our first office in Virginia," said Jim Ramsay, executive vice president of franchise sales at The Agency. "Set in and along the coast, Chesapeake is home to some of Virginia's most coveted real estate, and the area's flourishing market aligns perfectly with The Agency's brand and ethos."

Engel & Volkers signs 10-year-renewal with its first shop in the U.S.

Engle & Volkers Santa Monica will remain part of the international brand for another 10-years under a renewal agreement.

Owner Sandra Miller was the first owner in the Americas to sign on with the Germany-based company. "After many successful years building brand awareness in the Westside of the Los Angeles market, I couldn't imagine selling under any other brand than Engel & Völkers," said Miller. "When I first launched the business, my average price point came in at just under $1 million. Today my average price point is over $5 million and I've had many significant sales totaling over $1.5 billion."

Better Homes and Gardens adds new offices

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate recently announced three new brokerages joining the brand:

• Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Foothills based in Hickory, NC. Owned and operated by Mike and Kathleen Kelly, who previously founded and operated an independent brokerage which has grown to over 30 agents.

• Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lakeview Realty with offices in Crestline and Lake Arrowhead, CA. Established in Crestline in 1990, owner Derek Leistra purchased the office in 2007.

• Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Historic based in Thomasville, GA. The startup brokerage is owned and operated by Will Palmer in his hometown. Palmer also owns and operates Century 21 Coast Properties in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

 Century 21 affiliate numbers grow with five additions

Century 21 added five new affiliates, including a new Florida firm bringing together four  real estate entrepreneurs with a team of 100.

• The joint venture of four Florida real estate "icons," Century 21 Edge opened with offices in Orlando and Pembroke Pines. Kevin Johnson, Giuseppe Pistone, Peggy Clemente, and John Carpenter have a five-year plan to open offices in all major metropolitan areas of Florida.

• Trenton, GA, brokers Careyee Bell and Lora Poore will now operate as Century 21 Bellora. The pair have operated their firm, which serves northwest Georgia, northeast Alabama and southeast Tennessee, since 2014.

• Montana's mother-son team Helen and Brody Goucher have opened up shop as Century 21 Summit Realty. The Libby, MT, firm has plans to expand throughout the northwestern part of the state.

• With more than 100 combined years in business, owner Chuck Casagrande, VP John Casagrande and broker David Angelini are now under the Century 21 brand. The trio opened Century 21 Danskin Realty in Wall Township, NJ. The office serves Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

• Based in Chelmsford, MA, Your Way Real Estate is now Century 21 Your Way. After 20 years as an independent broker/owner, Shannon Anderson Forsythe and her team of 10 agents have joined Century 21.

ERA Real Estate expands into Uruguay

ERA Real Estate signed a master franchise agreement for Uruguay, expanding its reach in South America and giving it a presence in 34 countries and territories. The franchise agreement is with housing developer Koper Sanchez and brokerage Rutland S.A.

Wilder Ananikian will  assume the position of president of ERA Uruguay, which is based in the capital city of Montevideo.