Brokerage Beat: Mergers for KW and United increase market share 

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.

Independent NJ firm joins KW Integrity

Clearview Realty, an independent brokerage based in Sparta, New Jersey, has merged with KW Integrity.

John Schlaffer, who founded Clearview Realty soon after earning his broker's license, brings his firm's 25 agents to the KW market center. Clearview has completed more than $225 million in sales since the beginning of 2022 and has increased sales volume each of the past two years, according to a news release.

Schlaffer will be the team leader of the KW Integrity market center, effective December 1.

The merger of the two firms "signifies a strategic union" said Christopher Stevens, regional director of KW's New York Tri-State and Manhattan Regions. "With his years of experience and commitment to excellence, John is a natural fit for KW Integrity," Stevens added.

The partnership "represents a fantastic opportunity for us to expand our resources, enhance our capabilities, and provide even greater value to our agents," said Schlaffer.

United announces second New Orleans-area merger

United Real Estate recently announced a merger between South Louisiana franchise United Real Estate | Partners and Real Estate Resource Group, strengthening its foothold in Greater New Orleans. 

This is United's second merger in the region this year after the company joined forces with Team Geaux Realty in February. That partnership brought United Real Estate Partners' agent count to 135. Now, with the addition of Real Estate Resource Group, that number has grown to nearly 200.  

Agents will work out of United Partners' three offices in New Orleans, Metairie and Mandeville. 

"We saw how many agents were moving to United, which piqued our interest and enticed us to explore what they were offering," said Ken Rayer, managing partner at Real Estate Resource Group. "Many companies have approached us over the years, but United was the best fit," Rayer added, highlighting United's flat-fee compensation model. 

United Partners CEO Tom Bookhardt said by combining resources, "we're building a stronger, more resilient brokerage that is well-positioned for the dynamic future of our industry." 

Other notable mergers for United in 2024 include United Real Estate | DFW Properties and Stryve Realty in the Dallas-Fort Worth region; United's Leading Edge Real Estate Group and Matlock Properties in Huntsville, Alabama; and a merger with the 1,500-agent Premiere Plus Realty in Naples, Florida.

Corcoran opens first office in Mexico

The Corcoran Group is continuing to expand in the tropics with the opening of its first franchise office in Mexico. The news comes on the heels of an announced expansion in the Bahamas. 

The new office, Corcoran The Baja Real Estate Co., is owned and led by Blake Harrington, and will serve clients throughout the greater Cabo San Lucas area.

"Cabo San Lucas is a vibrant destination and a global leader in tourism, luxury, and culture — the perfect market for the Corcoran brand's expansion into Mexico," said Pamela Liebman, president and CEO of The Corcoran Group. "With Blake's extensive experience and his resounding influence within the local market, we're excited to grow our global presence and showcase everything the Corcoran brand has to offer both consumers and real estate professionals throughout Cabo." 

Harrington has been selling homes in the luxury Cabo San Lucas real estate market since co-founding REmexico Real Estate in 2010, according to a news release. He later became VP at Snell Real Estate, serving Baja California Sur, helping the company exceed $1 billion in sales volume and representing the firm's most expensive sales. He has individually achieved more than $400 million dollars in transactions across Cabo.

Century 21 expands in Washington, globally

Century 21 Real Estate is growing its network near and far, with a new affiliation on the West Coast and three new master franchise agreements in Greece, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Washington state

Pacific Realty, based in Long Beach, Washington, has joined the Century 21 brand. The well-established firm has been serving the southern Washington coast area for about 50 years and is currently led by 35-year industry veteran Leslie Brophy. 

Brophy began her real estate career in 1989, and in addition to working as an agent, she has spent 15 years on the Joint Pacific County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

As Century 21 Pacific Realty, Brophy said the firm will be able to leverage the brand's resources and name recognition to improve its capabilities and grow its reach. 

"We've been a staple of Long Beach real estate for as long as I can remember, but I believe it's finally time to tap into a larger network," said Brophy. "The Century 21 brand has one of the largest networks out there. With the help of a brand like that, we can reach clients and other real estate professionals all over the world without ever needing to leave the downtown Long Beach office that we know and love."

Greece, India, UAE

Century 21 is also pursuing international growth, and its latest global franchise agreements expand its presence in Europe, South Asia and the Middle East. 

Antonios Kallas and his two sons, Yannis and Athanasios, will oversee the development of the Century 21 network in Greece, which currently includes 50 agents across three offices.

Charles Tarbey, owner of Century 21 Australia/New Zealand, will oversee the new franchises in India and the UAE. 

"Over recent years, many hard-working people from India and the UAE have made Australia and New Zealand their home," explained Tarbey. By securing the rights to operate franchises in India and the UAE, he said Century 21 can establish "a direct business relationship that will support the high level of interest in property ownership across all of these two countries."

$2 billion team launched through Side

Top producers Nick Granoski and David Weil of Menlo Park, California, have left Compass to launch their Pacific Trust team on the Side platform. 

The duo achieved $37.5 million in sales in 2023, according to a news release, and their combined lifetime sales volume exceeds $2 billion.

Granoski and Weil each have more than 20 years of experience in real estate, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The two agents formed the team, which also includes sales associate Lindsey Jensen, to offer a boutique, luxury service experience to their clients — something Side promotes as a selling point to teams considering the platform.

Pacific Trust plans to continue offering "high-touch" service and, long term, add more agents to the team.