Brokerage Beat: News from KW, RE/MAX, The Agency
Chicago-area team joins Keller Williams Infinity; team leader joins Detroit RE/MAX franchise as broker/owner; The Agency opens fourth Texas office.
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.
Chicago-area duo joins KW
The team behind Chicago-area RR Galaxy has signed on with Naperville, Illinois-based Keller Williams Infinity.
RR Galaxy consists of co-owners Raj Potluri and SaiRavi Suribhotla, a high-volume duo who sold 98 units worth $48.5 million in 2023. The team is on track to meet or exceed that figure in 2024, having already sold 50 units valued at $25.5 million this year.
Potluri and Suribhotla both grew up in India and found inspiration in their families' hard-won experiences with homeownership. In an interview with Real Producers, Suribhotla said, "I admired my parents for saving enough money to build their own home. They were so determined," adding: "My firsthand experience of the entire process left a lasting impression on me and sparked an interest in home building and real estate."
Although both men began their careers in tech, Suribhotla approached Potluri with the idea of teaming up to sell real estate, and the pair embarked on what has become a highly successful business. Moving to KW, said Potluri, will open up new doors for growth. "We're joining Keller Williams to grow as a team and explore new opportunities. We love the KW culture of abundance," said Potluri.
The team will continue to serve the Chicago suburbs, where Potluri says they have been "providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive, and attentive real estate services over the past seven-plus years."
Detroit RE/MAX franchise expands ownership team
Mike Meldrum has joined RE/MAX Eclipse, a six-office firm serving the Detroit metro area.
Meldrum, who will serve as broker/owner, joins the existing ownership group of Levan Wood, Jessica Belanger and Maria McGuire.
With more than a decade of experience in real estate, Meldrum has worked as an agent with Keller Williams and Michigan-based Real Estate One.
In addition to traditional residential home sales, he has managed transactions spanning new construction, custom homes, land, condos and estates, and his team has consistently ranked among the top producers in both Detroit and the state of Michigan.
"I am thrilled to join the RE/MAX Eclipse ownership team and to help lead its New Baltimore office," said Meldrum. This is an excellent opportunity to expand our presence further in Macomb County."
The Agency expands in East Texas
The Agency has launched a new office in Tyler, Texas — the brokerage's fourth office in the state after previous launches in Austin, Dallas and Frisco.
The new Tyler office will be led by Managing Partner and East Texas native Vanessa Griffin, who began her real estate career nearly 20 years ago. She has led the Griffin Real Estate Group since 2014.
"We're thrilled to further expand our footprint throughout Texas," said Mauricio Umansky, CEO and founder of The Agency. "Tyler's real estate scene is buzzing with opportunity and growth, thanks to its lively economy, booming job market, and close-knit community. Teaming up with Vanessa Griffin, a respected figure in this market, serves as a testament to our dedication to building strong partnerships in key markets across the U.S. and beyond."
"Tyler, Texas is more than just a location — it's a lifestyle," said Griffin. "Buyers are drawn to this sought-after market for its winning combination of Southern charm, flourishing economy, and tight-knit community spirit."