Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has built a reputation for acquisitions that strengthen, rather than disrupt, the firms they bring into the family. Their approach is deliberate: seek out independent brokerages with long-standing reputations for excellent consumer service, respect the leadership that made them successful, and gently integrate them into a broader platform that extends beyond residential brokerage into mortgage, title, insurance, commercial, and new homes.
This strategy isn’t about rolling up companies for volume. It’s about relationships and culture. Howard Hanna looks for regional leaders of considerable size, invests in them, and then creates momentum to attract and integrate other respected firms in the market. When transitions happen, they are careful stewards of culture – knowing that strong community ties and trusted leadership are the foundation of success.
Expanding further into the Southeast
The company’s latest move reflects this playbook. Howard Hanna has acquired Coastal Properties, a highly respected brokerage serving the Lowcountry regions of South Carolina and Georgia. Founded in 1998 by Karen and Joe Ryan, Coastal Properties has become one of the most trusted firms in the region, with five offices across Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Savannah. In 2024, the company closed 731 transactions totaling $467 million in sales.
This acquisition follows Howard Hanna’s October 2024 purchase of The Alliance Group Realty in Hilton Head and builds on the recent rebrand of Allen Tate to Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate. Together, these steps mark a strong push into the Southeast and the company’s official entry into Georgia, expanding its operations to 14 states nationwide.
CEO Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV described the expansion as a purposeful investment: “We’re making deliberate investments in markets where we see opportunity, momentum, and the ability to create meaningful market connections for our clients.”
Gary Scott, president of Howard Hanna’s Southeast Region, added: “Their reputation, deep community relationships, and proven success make them an ideal partner as we expand our reach and resources in these important markets.”
What this means for agents and clients
Agents and clients in the Lowcountry and Georgia markets will gain access to Howard Hanna’s industry-leading marketing resources, technology platforms, and national network – while keeping the local expertise and trusted relationships that defined Coastal Properties for decades. It’s the balance of scale and culture that has allowed Howard Hanna to grow into the nation’s largest family-owned real estate brokerage with more than 500 offices and 15,000 associates across 14 states.
WAV Group perspective
At WAV Group, we follow brokerage M&A strategies closely, and Howard Hanna continues to set the benchmark for respectful, relationship-driven integration. Their model demonstrates that growth and culture can go hand in hand – and that thoughtful expansion creates long-term value for agents, clients, and communities.
For brokers exploring growth opportunities of their own, WAV Group provides M&A advisory services and valuation expertise to help structure deals that work. Fill out the form below to receive a confidential consultation with our team of M&A experts. Our book Acquiring More Profit is a guide for brokerage leaders who want to understand how to identify opportunities, maximize value, and integrate firms successfully.
Leave A Comment