Brokerage Beat: News from Elliman, C21, The Agency, Sotheby's
Power NYC agent returns to Douglas Elliman with his team of 19; Century 21 lands woman-owned Georgia indie; The Agency adds NJ office; Sotheby's expands in TN.
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.
Veteran NYC broker heads back to Elliman
John Lawrence has returned to his real estate roots, rejoining Douglas Elliman and bringing the 19 members of The Lawrence Team with him, the company announced last week. He was most recently at Compass, where he was on track to close more than $100 million in sales in 2024, according to the announcement.
Lawrence previously spent 15 years in sales management at Douglas Elliman, departing the firm in 2020. Through that experience, Lawrence said, "I know first-hand that no other brokerage is as committed to the growth and success of its agents and teams."
A New York City real estate professional since 1988, Lawrence has overseen billions in transactions and earned a reputation for his expertise in management and agent development, Elliman said. Lawrence also serves on the board of REALM, an exclusive network of top real estate professionals worldwide.
"In addition to being a top-performing agent, John is an exceptional manager and cultivator of talent," said Richard Ferrari, Douglas Elliman's president and CEO of brokerage for the NYC, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. "I look forward to working with him to bolster Douglas Elliman's reputation as a home for great careers."
The Lawrence Team specializes in Manhattan and the tri-state area, and has plans to expand into Westchester, the Hamptons, and Miami, Florida.
Century 21 picks up Georgia indie
Century 21 has announced the affiliation of Crest Realty, an independent brokerage owned by Sarah Wood, an entrepreneur, military spouse and real estate professional since 2012.
Based in St. Marys, Georgia, the firm, now operating as Century 21 Crest Realty, has built a strong reputation, particularly in military relocation and residential real estate, according to a news release. But, Wood said, "I knew it was time to join a larger network to give our agents and clients access to state-of-the-art tools."
She also found the franchisor to be a good culture fit: "Professionalism doesn't need to come at the expense of having fun and being yourself, so we had to make sure we found a brand that embraced our philosophy. Fortunately, when we looked into Century 21 Real Estate, it was easy to see they weren't some stiff major corporation, but instead, it was a group of amazing people who were quick to embrace us as who we are."
Mike Miedler, C21 president and CEO, praised Wood's commitment to community engagement and military families. "Sarah has created an unmistakable identity for her business while providing invaluable expertise in military relocation."
The Agency expands in New Jersey
The Agency has announced the opening of its first independently owned and operated office in New Jersey, marking its 11th location in the tri-state area encompassing New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The new office, The Agency Rutherford, is owned and led by Managing Partner Jennifer Darby Metzger, a second-generation broker with decades of experience in New Jersey real estate, the company said. She was previously a longtime broker/owner of an ERA affiliate in Rutherford.
"Our transition to The Agency represents a commitment to innovation while staying grounded in the personal relationships and local expertise that have defined our business for decades," said Metzger.
"We recognize the vital role real estate agents play in shaping communities and elevating standards in this profession, and we're thrilled to partner with an established and globally recognized brand such as The Agency to further service our clientele across the region," she added.
The Agency launched 30 new offices in 2024, and so far this year, has also opened locations in Washington state and Florida.
Sotheby's lands sixth Tennessee office
Sotheby's International Realty announced this week that Realty Center of Chattanooga has joined its network and will now operate as Horizon Sotheby's International Realty. This affiliation bolsters the brand's presence in Tennessee, bringing its total offices in the state to six.
Headquartered in Chattanooga, Horizon is home to 92 agents and will serve clients across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. The firm is led by owners Byron Kelly and Vanessa Mercer, who bring a combined 35 years of real estate experience.
"Our commitment is that every client who partners with us will receive premier service," Kelly said, adding that the affiliation with Sotheby's will allow the firm to bring its "local expertise to a global audience, leveraging the brand's world-class marketing and unparalleled network to showcase our region's most exceptional properties."
The Chattanooga area "has long attracted families seeking to build distinctive homes," said Philip White, president and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty. "We look forward to supporting Horizon Sotheby's International Realty as they showcase the region's finest properties."