Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the #1 privately held real estate company in the United States, is accelerating its growth in the Southeast with the acquisition of Coastal Properties, a highly respected brokerage serving the Lowcountry regions of South Carolina and Georgia.
This strategic move builds upon Howard Hanna’s October 2024 acquisition of The Alliance Group Realty in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and further solidifies the organization’s presence across the Southeast. Most notably, it marks the company’s official entry into Georgia, extending operations into 14 states nationwide.
“At Howard Hanna, we’re not just expanding for the sake of growth — we’re making deliberate investments in markets where we see opportunity, momentum, and the ability to create meaningful market connections for our clients,” said Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV, CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “South Carolina and Georgia are dynamic, fast-moving markets. By welcoming Karen and Joe Ryan and their talented team of more than 160 agents, we’re strengthening our long-term commitment to the Southeast and positioning ourselves to deliver even greater value to buyers and sellers across the region.”
The acquisition follows the recent rebrand of Allen Tate to Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate, underscoring the company’s strategy to unify its presence and accelerate its momentum throughout the Southeast markets.
“Adding Coastal Properties is another milestone in our Southeast growth story,” said Gary Scott, President of the Southeast Region, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “Their reputation, deep community relationships, and proven success make them an ideal partner as we expand our reach and resources in these important markets.”
Founded in 1998, Coastal Properties has established itself as one of the region’s most trusted real estate firms, with five offices across Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Savannah. In 2024, the firm closed 731 transactions totaling $467 million in sales, further cementing its position among the area’s top performers.
Through this acquisition, Howard Hanna agents and clients in the Lowcountry and Georgia markets will gain access to industry-leading marketing resources, innovative technology platforms, and the power of a national network — all while continuing to benefit from the local expertise and relationships that have defined Coastal Properties for decades.
About Howard Hanna
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services proudly provides real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance services across 14 states. As the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States, Howard Hanna operates more than 500 offices with 15,000 sales associates and staff. The company’s proprietary Hanna Success System helps its agents achieve 53% more business than agents at the top 1000 brokerages nationally. Learn more at www.HowardHanna.com.
Contact: Lindsay Kovach | lindsaykovach@howardhanna.com
