Brokerage Beat: News from ERA, United, The Agency, RE/MAX 

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.

Award-winning Sacramento-area brokerage joins ERA

Next Real Estate Group, Inc. and Next New Homes Group based in Roseville, Calif., have affiliated with the ERA brand.

Now known as Next Real Estate Group ERA Powered and Next New Homes Group ERA Powered, the brokerage specializes in new construction sales but continues to serve clients in the greater Sacramento area with all types of residential real estate sales.

Owned and operated by broker and principal Christopher Brown and principal Scott Bolli, the brokerage first opened in 2008. In 2020, the firm appeared on Inc.'s list of Fastest Growing California Companies, and in 2022 was recognized by the Financial Times on its list of Fastest Growing Companies.

Brown, the only two-time winner of the North State Building Industry Association's Meritorious award, which he earned in 2010 and 2020, is a real estate development industry veteran who has spent 30 years in the industry.  

Bolli, who has been recognized multiple times by the California Building Industry Association, the Home Builders Association of Northern California and the North State Building Industry Association, also brings three decades of industry experience.

Kansas City's new leader: Platinum Realty claims No. 1 market share

Platinum Realty has beat out other area firms to achieve top market share among all residential brokerages in Kansas City. The brokerage closed sales on 12,805 units worth $3.8 billion over the two-year period ending on March 31, 2023. 

Founded in 2005 by Scott DeNeve, Platinum later merged with United Real Estate in 2022. Platinum had 2,100 agents when it joined United and has since grown its agent count to 2,300. The firm operates in seven major Midwest markets across five states.

"Unlike legacy brokerages who are burdened with high costs and overhead, Platinum Realty operates with extreme efficiency and effectiveness," United Real Estate President Rock Haase said to explain the firm's success. "Platinum has eliminated all high-cost, low-value expenses, things that agents just don't need or use anymore, and converted the savings into more income for our agents."

Shelby Austin, director of broker services, also credits the region's market stability. "With a thriving economy, increased job growth, rising home starts and low inventory, the Midwest is well-positioned for the future," Austin said.

The Agency opens first office in Coeur d'Alene

The Agency is expanding in the West with its launch in Coeur d'Alene, a small city in northwestern Idaho. The office will be the firm's second in the state after opening a Boise office last month.

The Agency Coeur d'Alene will be led by industry veterans and Managing Partners Greg Link and Bobby Carmody.

Link, who has lived in Coeur d'Alene since graduating from high school, brings 15 years of local industry experience to the firm. Carmody previously launched a title company and worked as a sales director for a real estate team before earning his license. In addition to working with clients, he is an active local real estate investor. 

"I am confident that our team at The Agency will deliver a sophisticated new era of real estate to Coeur d'Alene," Carmody said. "We look forward to bringing The Agency's unique brand and culture to this thriving community while harnessing our global network to create an unparalleled experience for clients."

 "The Coeur d'Alene real estate market holds great synergy with The Agency's groundbreaking offerings, and we look forward to showcasing the power of our brand to buyers and sellers in the area," said Jim Ramsay, executive vice president of franchise sales at The Agency."

RE/MAX co-founder retires from board

Gail Liniger, who co-founded RE/MAX alongside Dave Liniger in 1973, has retired from the RE/MAX Holdings board of directors.

Liniger had served as vice chair of the board since RE/MAX Holdings was formed in connection with its 2013 initial public offering. She was named vice chair emerita upon her retirement.

During her time as vice chair, Liniger witnessed the launch of the Motto Mortgage brand and saw the realty division grow to more than 140,000 agents in over 110 countries and territories. 

Liniger also "helped shape an organization of collaboration, productivity, gratitude and giving," according to a news release.

"There is really no adequate way to articulate what a profound positive effect Gail Liniger has had on RE/MAX, RE/MAX Holdings, and the hundreds of thousands of professionals who have aligned with the brand through the years. Gail has been a visionary, a role model, a strategic leader, and an inspiration since the very beginning," said RE/MAX Holdings Lead Independent Director, Roger Dow. 

Gail and Dave Liniger have led the RE/MAX brand for more than 50 years. Prior to her role as vice chair, Gail Lineger served as RE/MAX Chief Executive Officer for several years. Dave Liniger remains the board chairman of RE/MAX Holdings.