Brokerage Beat: News from Sotheby's Realty, KWW, ERA, more 

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.

Podium Group joins ONE Sotheby's International Realty

Miami luxury and commercial specialists Podium Group Realty is now Podium Group at ONE Sotheby's International Realty.

Headquartered in Miami's financial center, the Brickell neighborhood, the firm is led by Cassio Galiza and Alex Wolak.

"Alex and Cassio have built an incredible reputation and we are excited to welcome their team to the ONE network," said Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby's International Realty. 

Founded in 2019, Podium Realty Group serves an expansive network of domestic and international clientele. The firm has closed deals in some of South Florida's most notable neighborhoods and distinguished developments, including Mansions at Acqualina, Ritz Carlton Residences, Regalia, Fisher Island and homes along North Bay Road.

"ONE Sotheby's International Realty's exceptional brand and culture perfectly align with the vision that we have for the future of our business," said Galiza. "We are thrilled to be able to offer our clients the full power of the Sotheby's network."

Engel & Völkers expands in the Rocky Mountains

The Source for Pagosa Real Estate will now do business as Engel & Völkers Pagosa Springs.

Under the continued leadership of original founders and luxury specialists Mike and Lauri Heraty, who have served Pagosa Springs for more than two decades, the office serves homebuyers and sellers in Pagosa Springs, Bayfield and Durango. 

"The western Rocky Mountains have been a strong foundation for our growth in North America," said Anthony Hitt, president and CEO, Engel & Völkers Americas.

The Pagosa Springs location is Engel & Völkers 12th shop in Colorado. Located in the San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs is home to luxury mountain ranches on sprawling acreage, luxury residences, condos for weekend getaways, townhomes and a variety of development sites as well as North America's largest natural hot springs.

"We've long been known throughout the region for our quality of service," said Lauri Heraty. "Beyond real estate, we've arranged everything for our clients — from architects and top-tier contractors to private chefs, ski instructors and fly fishing guides — which has set us apart in the market."

Keller Williams moves into India

Keller Williams continues to expand its reach across Asia, launching operations in India.

"Our long-term goal is for KW to be the largest and most trusted name in the real estate industry in India," says Regional Director Sahil Kapoor, who is leading the efforts to establish the company's operations in India. 

"We are excited to offer the KW value proposition to our agents and clients," Kapoor said. "We want to raise the bar of real estate services in India and that will differentiate us from the rest."

Currently, Kapoor and team are in conversations to partner with several respected developers in the Delhi-NCR market area.

The move into India is part of the company's push to expand its presence throughout Asia, where the brand has 35 market centers and 1,349 agents across eight regions. 

"Our global presence continues to expand with an impressive year-over-year increase of over 17 percent in our international agent count," said William E. Soteroff, president of Keller Williams Worldwide, the company's international division.

KWW is currently exploring further expansion opportunities across Africa, Central and South America, Central and Eastern Europe, and throughout Asia.

John R. Wood Properties posts top sales in region, adds new agents 

John R. Wood Christie's International Real Estate announced that during the first quarter of 2023, its agents sold more residential listings, closed more units and achieved higher sales volume than any other residential real estate brokerage in the Southwest Florida region.

The firm reported first-quarter closed sales totaling more than $1.2 billion — $400 million more than its nearest competitor — and 993 closed transactions so far this year.

President and CEO Phil Wood, who was named as one of the most influential leaders in residential real estate in the 2023 Swanepoel Power 200, leads the firm, which serves Collier and Lee counties in Southwest Florida.

"We are extremely pleased to continue leading the way in the markets we serve throughout the first quarter of 2023," said Wood. "I'm especially proud of our dedicated agents and talented staff for their diligence and commitment to our customers." 

The company also added seven new agents in March. Rosemary O'Connor, Mario Susi and Brooke Walker joined the Bonita Springs office; Jessye Hanson joined the Ft. Myers Beach office; Amanda Anderson and Marcy Culbreth joined the McGregor office; and Alison Sullivan joined the Fifth Ave. South office.  

ERA grows lower Michigan presence with Grand Blanc brokerage

Prime Real Estate Group in Grand Blanc, Mich., has joined the ERA network.

Established in 2017 by Willie Ray III, ERA Prime Real Estate also offers mortgage and title services and serves several cities and counties in the central and southeastern part of the state.

Ray, who began his real estate career in 2009 as an agent, will continue to lead the brokerage. He has also served in multiple leadership roles with the East Central Association of Realtors, including member of the board of directors in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023, and as the association's president in 2019 and 2020.

"We're thrilled to welcome Willie and his highly regarded team of affiliated associates to the ERA family," said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate.

"Our affiliation with the ERA brand will streamline our operational efforts and provide me with more time to focus on the growth opportunities inherent in our market," said Ray. "In addition to the many invaluable resources we have at our disposal as an ERA affiliate, we will benefit tremendously from the ERA brand's culture of franchisee support and legacy of collaboration," he added.

Better Homes and Gardens finds a treasure in North Carolina

Treasure Realty in Sneads Ferry, NC, is the newest Better Homes and Gardens affiliate.

Founded in 1990 by cousins Richard Baker and Tim Baker, the company will now be known as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure. 

Tim Baker recently assumed sole ownership of the firm, which has two offices and serves the mainland areas of Sneads Ferry, Holly Ridge, Jacksonville, and Wilmington as well as the three beach towns on Topsail Island.

Operating under its guiding principle of "One Matters," the team offers a "concierge service approach" that Tim Baker credits with helping  the company's growth.

"Tim and his affiliated agents are passionate about the level of service they provide and take great pride in helping people own, rent and live in their favorite place. It's our privilege to welcome Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure to our network and offer the resources, support and brand power to assist them in their further growth and expansion,
said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC.