Brokerage Beat: News from C21, Christie's Real Estate, 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.

Woman- and veteran-owned indie affiliates with C21 in Virginia

Broker/owner Danielle Bowers has brought her firm, Lifestyle Realty Group, into the Century 21 fold. The Petersburg, Virginia, brokerage is now known as Century 21 Lifestyle.

Bowers began her real estate career nearly two decades ago and opened her brokerage in 2023. She is a veteran of the Army National Guard and holds a military relocation specialist designation, as well as designations in seller representation and luxury marketing. Military relocation and luxury sales are two of the firm's specialties.

Bowers said Century 21's support of technology and marketing, lead generation, agent learning and coaching were among the offerings that attracted her to the brand — as well as its "unparalleled name recognition not only in the real estate industry but also to general consumers as a whole," she said in a news release. 

"Our company differentiates itself by its ability to address lifestyle needs. … The Century 21 system provides us with the brand recognition we need to be noticed by consumers from all walks of life, while also providing us with the tools we need to provide the best service possible."

Christie's Real Estate lands in 2 more Australian states

Luxury brand Christie's International Real Estate has launched a new firm covering the states of Western Australia and South Australia. A seven-member team, led by Shelly Scorer, will focus on serving international buyers and investors looking to purchase real estate in those regions.

To accommodate that global client pool, the firm is taking a decentralized approach, bringing on agents who will work out of Australia as well as locations in Europe, the Middle East and South America. Collectively, the team has more than 25 years of experience in luxury home design, private property projects and the Australian finance sector. 

Interest in the Western Australia and South Australia luxury markets has increased since the end of the pandemic, the company said, and the new Christie's firm aims to offer these buyers more sophisticated services than those typically found in the region.

"For decades, the real estate audience in Western Australia and South Australia was insular, with little, if any, connection to the international marketplace," Scorer said in a news release. "But with growing interest from international buyers since the pandemic, the market needs the bespoke service, world-class marketing and international network that only Christie's International Real Estate can provide."

The launch of the brokerage gives Christie's a presence on both Australian coasts, joining existing affiliates in Sydney and Victoria. 

Keller Williams expands to Guatemala

Keller Williams Realty is growing its Central American presence. Its international division, Keller Williams Worldwide, has announced a new master franchise in Guatemala, led by Regional Operating Principal Rodrigo Garcia. 

The franchise is expected to open its first market center before the end of the year.

"We are excited to welcome KW Guatemala to our global family under the leadership of Rodrigo and his talented core team," KWW President William E. Soteroff said in a news release. "Rodrigo's passion for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit will drive rapid growth and elevate the real estate experience in Guatemala."

Garcia previously served as a commercial real estate director and broker with RE/MAX. "Our vision for KW in Guatemala is to become the choice brand for investors, real estate entrepreneurs, and agents who want to level up," Garcia in the news release.

As of Sept. 30, KWW had well over 17,000 agents operating outside the U.S. and Canada, accounting for $12.2 billion in sales volume, up 7% year to date.

Coldwell Banker Warburg continues to grow its roster 

Manhattan-based Coldwell Banker Warburg is welcoming three new team members. The New York firm has been steadily recruiting agents, most recently bringing on a 35-year industry veteran broker and four experienced agents in September.

The latest additions are broker Jennifer Roberts and agents Viviane Giraldi and Tiara Mitchell. 

Roberts joins the firm from Engel & Völkers, where she was a broker for nearly 10 years — but her real estate experience dates back to 1985. She has deep knowledge of the NYC market, with an extensive client and referral network, and has sold nearly every type of property — condos, co-ops, townhouses and more.

Giraldi is a native of Brazil and fluent in English, Italian and Portuguese, which helps her connect with a wide range of clients. She focuses on the NYC and Greenwich, Connecticut, markets. Mitchell, a Brooklyn native and Army veteran, is relatively new to real estate sales, but she brings a passion for helping clients find their ideal homes.