Brokerage Beat: News from Real, ERA, C21, EXIT Realty, more
150-agent firm joins Real Brokerage; ERA gains multi-office Austin affiliate; C21 franchise acquires established Mass. indie; EXIT Realty adds 7 markets; 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.
150-agent New England firm joins Real
The Real Brokerage Inc. has announced the addition of ROVI Homes to its growing network. This strategic move adds 150 agents to Real's roster, pushing its total agent count beyond 23,000 while expanding its footprint in New England and along Florida's southwest coast, the company said.
Founded in 2015 by Steve Rovithis as a three-agent startup, ROVI Homes was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately owned businesses in 2020 and 2021 and has closed over $2 billion in home sales. The brokerage is known for high-end property marketing and specialized agent services.
Prior to launching ROVI Homes, Rovithis owned a Century 21 franchise as well as property management and home improvement companies. The decision to join Real, he said, was driven by the firm's "culture, technology, and commitment to agent success," while Real President Sharran Srivatsaa praised Rovithis' track record and collaborative spirit.
ROVI Homes also brings a philanthropic legacy, with donations made for each of its 7,500-plus transactions in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Florida.
ERA picks up multi-office Texas indie
ERA Real Estate, a global real estate franchise in the Anywhere family of brands, has announced its latest affiliation with ERA Experts, a multi-office brokerage founded in 2013 serving clients across central and southeastern Texas.
Headquartered in Austin with an additional office in Houston, ERA Experts is led by brokers and co-owners Matt Menard and Greg Young, both of whom are veterans in the dynamic Texas real estate market.
The owners are both real estate veterans; Menard has been in the industry for more than 40 years, while Young began his career in 2007. In addition to residential real estate, the duo also have expertise in mortgage lending and new construction.
The affiliation was driven by a desire to expand and increase sales capacity in the region, Menard said, noting that "we're an extremely growth-oriented firm." The owners hope to double production within a year by recruiting new agents and pursuing strategic acquisitions, further solidifying their market presence in Texas.
Century 21 franchise expands in SE Massachusetts
Century 21 Custom Home Realty has announced the acquisition of Monarch Realty Group, a move that significantly strengthens Century 21's presence in southeastern Massachusetts, the company said.
C21 Custom Home Realty, led by broker/owners Deb Flanagan and Naomi Vogt, joined the brand earlier this year, a move that has provided them with "tremendous business opportunities," Flanagan said.
Monarch Realty Group was founded in 2008 in the wake of the financial crisis by Ruth Dipietrantonio, who previously had a career in healthcare.
"While the two careers may seem very different, both are focused on serving the needs of people, and over the last 15 years, I have made delivering exceptional service a hallmark of our firm," Dipietrantonio said.
"Now, at a point in my career where I'd like to take a step back from leadership, I'm so excited to watch the legacy we've built with Monarch Realty Group continue to thrive," she added.
The combined operations now include four offices and 60 independent agents, enhancing the company's ability to serve homebuyers and sellers across the region.
EXIT Realty enters 7 new markets
Canada-based EXIT Realty announced this week that it has expanded into seven different U.S. markets across the South, Northeast and Midwest in the fourth quarter, opening offices in St. Petersburg, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Chesterfield, Virginia; Joliet, Illinois; Little Falls, Minnesota; and Roslyn, New York.
The expansion effort comes at a time when real estate sales remain challenged, but competition among brokerages remains fierce, said Craig Witt, CEO of EXIT Realty's U.S. operations.
"The real estate industry and market adjustments over the past year have been challenging indeed. EXIT continues to keep their foot on the gas in attracting the finest leaders to invest in our franchise brand and embrace our award-winning business model that delivers a better, more trained and financially stable agent to the consumer," he said in the announcement, adding that EXIT aims to "shatter records not seen before with explosive growth" in 2025.
More brokerage news:
Corcoran Group has announced expansions of franchises in Toronto, Canada, and Italy's Cortina region. Corcoran Horizon Realty's new Toronto office in the dense downtown Yorkville neighborhood is aimed at bolstering Corcoran's visibility and sales in the high-demand, quickly appreciating city. Horizon was Corcoran's first Canadian franchise and opened just over a year ago. Meanwhile, Corcoran Magri Properties — the brand's first European franchise, which launched in spring 2023 with an office in Lake Garda — has opened a new outpost in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, that will target posh, upscale clientele in the popular ski resort town.
Christie's International Real Estate has re-entered Thailand, partnering with Bangkok-based luxury sales expert Chinnatatt Sirichanachai to launch Christie's International Real Estate Thailand. The firm will cater to high-end property markets in Bangkok and Phuket, leveraging Christie's global luxury network. Initial projects include Bangkok's Porsche Design Tower and The Residences 38.