Brokerage Beat: News from Corcoran, Real, E&V, KW, 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. and globally.

Corcoran opens first Oregon franchise

The Agency, Inc. Realtors, a boutique firm based in Portland, Oregon, has joined up with Corcoran.

Now doing business as Corcoran Prime, the brokerage co-founded and led by Becky Jackson will build on its decade of success with a team of about a dozen agents.

This is Corcoran's first franchise in Portland — Oregon's largest city, located on the state's northern border — and serves clients throughout the metropolitan area.

"Portland's market holds immense opportunity, and to be entering the market with Corcoran Prime is an ideal accompaniment, not only to our strong existing West Coast presence, but also our greater international affiliate network," said Corcoran President and CEO Pamela Liebman. Corcoran launched its affiliate network in 2020 and now has more than 100 offices across the U.S. and globally.

"Our role as professionals in the real estate industry," Jackson said, "is to bring a superior level of service to our clients, across all real estate transactions, ensuring they receive the best possible outcomes." Corcoran's culture, tools and technology mesh with "our position as a sophisticated, yet approachable company," she added. 

Real expands in NorCal, gains top Pennsylvania team

Fast-growing Real Brokerage announced two notable additions this week: Venture Properties, one of the largest brokerages in Shasta County, California, has joined the Real family, along with a Pennsylvania mega-team. 

NorCal

Owned and led by longtime area broker Aaron Nelson, Venture Properties has nearly $2 billion in lifetime sales and a staff of 40. 

"Real is the perfect home for Venture and teams like it who are looking to grow their businesses on top of the foundation of possibilities Real has built," President Sharran Srivatsaa said in a news release. 

Nelson founded his company, based in Redding, in 2007. Since that time, Venture Properties has sold more than 6,400 homes, and in 2023, the firm had 440 home sales worth more than $171 million. 

"Venture Properties has become synonymous with attracting top producers who put the needs of their clients first," Nelson said in the news release. "Aligning with Real provides my agents with a number of benefits, including stock, revenue share, and training we wouldn't have access to otherwise."

Pennsylvania

The 28-agent Jon Campbell Team (formerly the Don Wenner Team) has also moved to Real.

The team has consistently ranked as a top producer in Pennsylvania, transacting 2,250 home sales worth $585 million in 2023. Since its inception in 2011, the team has closed on nearly 15,000 homes valued at $4.3 billion.

In addition to client work, the Jon Campbell Team is known for its involvement in the community, earning a Guinness World Record in 2021 for "the most backpacks in a line" following a school supply drive.  

"At Real, our culture is foundational to who we are," said Srivatsaa. "Between Jon's thoughtful, client-centric approach and his unmatched commitment to his community, I know he will fit in seamlessly at Real. I can't wait to see what his team is able to accomplish."

"There's no question that Real offers the best technology and tools for agents. However, what's at the top for us is culture, and Real's culture and innovative approach is what drew us to the company," Campbell said.

E&V enters Long Island's coveted North Fork market

Engel & Völkers' newest shop is in the North Fork area at the east end of Long Island, New York. 

Donald Brennan, founder of Engel & Völkers Brownstone Brooklyn, leads the new outpost. In addition to more than 25 years of experience in real estate, Brennan has been a part-time North Fork resident for more than two decades. 

Brennan purchased NOFO Real Estate LLC, which will be rebranded as Engel & Völkers North Fork. Susan Orioli, the selling broker/owner, will continue as an associate broker, allowing the office to benefit from her experience. 

"As the luxury real estate market evolves, Engel & Völkers' proven track record and innovative marketing strategies will position our team to capitalize on the growing demand for premium properties and second homes on the North Fork," Brennan said in a news release.

"Donald has built an impressive reputation and business, particularly in Brooklyn," said Anthony Hitt, president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas. "This is a natural step in expanding our luxury real estate footprint onto the North Fork, offering home buyers and sellers a fresh standard of excellence."

Agent/renovator couple launch The Agency Edmonton

The Agency continues to expand in Canada, opening its 19th location in the country with a new office in Edmonton, Alberta.

The managing partners of The Agency Edmonton — husband and wife team Corey and Paige Cyr — also operate an affiliate in another Alberta city, Fort McMurray. Kassy Draper will serve as managing director. Draper has been working in the Edmonton real estate market since 2010, with an emphasis on elite properties and custom-built projects. 

In addition to many years of helping clients buy and sell homes, the Cyrs also renovate properties. They may be familiar to fans of HGTV's "Battle on the Beach" program, in which they competed. 

"Edmonton is a very desirable market for us," Corey Cyr stated in a news release. "Paige and I have enjoyed serving as managing partners of The Agency Fort McMurray and alongside Kassy, we look forward to bringing the same level of excellence to the real estate industry in Edmonton." 

The Edmonton location is one of 12 new offices The Agency has opened during the first quarter of 2024, the company stated.

KW enters Bahamas

Keller Williams is expanding its presence in the Caribbean with a new market center in the Bahamas.

The global brokerage giant currently has 17 market centers and more than 1,400 agents throughout the Caribbean. The newest location, set to open in Q2, will be led by Kenred Dorsett, who will serve as regional operating principal.

In addition to three decades of real estate industry experience, Dorsett has a background in law and commercial development. He is also currently the director of Chancellors Corporate Services Ltd., a licensed financial and corporate services provider in the Bahamas.

Working alongside Dorsett will be Austin Bernard Davis, the broker of record for KW Bahamas and a 40-year industry veteran.

"Kenred's extensive real estate experience and commitment to building a strong culture align perfectly with our vision for growth in this market," said William E. Soteroff, president of Keller Williams Worldwide.

Dorsett said that as the firm grows, he plans to focus on the development of its agents, who "hunger for knowledge and training" — something he believes KW is well-equipped to provide.

"We consider people, their well-being, and the realization of their entrepreneurial goals key indicators of success for our business," Dorsett said, adding: "We also want to ensure that Keller Williams' 'agent-centric' ethos becomes a driving force for positive change, transformation, and success in the Bahamas."

Christie's returns to Barbados after 5-year hiatus, expands in New Jersey

Christies has recently added two new offices to its brand family, one in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados, and one in Fort Lee, New Jersey, along the Hudson River.

Barbados

Barbados Luxury Listings is rebranding as Christie's International Real Estate Barbados.   

Owner Dominique Silvera-Chittell, who founded her brokerage in 2020, is a 25-year veteran of the Barbados real estate scene. The leadership team also includes Alyssa Klein and Candice Jenkins, whose backgrounds are in marketing and management, both in real estate and international travel. 

Silvera-Chittell and Klein have worked together for several years, including at Barbados' former Christie's affiliate. Their current office is based in St. Thomas Parish, where the staff will focus on Barbados' west coast.  

"We feel extremely privileged to bring this exceptional real estate brand back to Barbados," Silvera-Chittell said in a news release. "In recent years, a wealth of new luxury homes and branded developments have [made] it the ideal time to re-introduce island buyers and sellers to all that the Christie's International Real Estate brand has to offer."

"With their incredible track record of success and a familiarity with Christie's International Real Estate, Dominique, Candice and Alyssa are the perfect team to bring our bespoke service, world-class marketing, and global network back to buyers and sellers in Barbados," said Natalie Hamrick, president of affiliate services, Christie's International Real Estate.

New Jersey

The global brand has also announced the growth of its New Jersey brokerage with the addition of Fort Lee-based Eastern Realty Inc. Christie's has more than 30 offices and 1,100 associates in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. 

Eastern Realty was founded and owned by Bowen Pak, who will continue as managing broker. The firm has focused on facilitating commercial property transactions for Asian corporate buyers, including private investors, Samsung, Daewoo, Hyundai, Hankook Tire, Sharp and others. 

"We are very excited to join Christie's International Real Estate Group," Pak said in a news release. "This represents an exciting opportunity to elevate our services to new heights and provide our clients with access to unparalleled regional and global connections and expertise. At the same time, I always wanted to provide my agents with the best tools in the industry and with the opportunity to continuously grow their business."