Columbus, OH (April 7, 2022) – As the year progresses, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (Howard Hanna) continues to execute its long-term strategic growth plan by announcing a merger with HER, REALTORS®, the country’s largest agent-owned real estate firm. This transaction adds approximately 1,200 agents and 90 offices to Howard Hanna’s portfolio, expanding its footprint in Ohio, Michigan, and northern Kentucky.
Founded in 1956 by Harley E. Rouda, Sr., HER, REALTORS® has grown throughout the years to become a powerhouse brokerage firm in Ohio. Closing out 2021 with 12,193 closed units and $3.4 billion in closed sales volume in Ohio, HER, REALTORS® is the independent leader in the combined Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton markets.
Similarly, Howard Hanna was founded in 1957 by Howard Hanna, Jr. and has evolved through the decades to become the largest independently owned brokerage firm in the United States. With both organizations built and operated as family companies with strong values and respect for their agents, employees, and clients, the relationship between Howard Hanna and HER, REALTORS® is poised for future success.
“We are excited to welcome HER, REALTORS® to the Hanna Family of Companies,” said Helen Hanna Casey, Chief Executive Officer of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “The cultural and operational synergies between our companies, paired with our mutual respect for one another, makes this merger an important step toward the future as we expand our presence and service offerings in the greater Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton markets.”
Since entering the Ohio marketplace in the early 2000s, Howard Hanna has grown to become a driving force within the state. Howard Hanna finished 2021 with 28,810 closed units and $7.4 billion in closed sales volume, securing a market-leading position in northeast Ohio.
“As individuals, and as an organization, we must thoughtfully consider the past and the present to plan for a successful future,” said Harley E. Rouda, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of HER, REALTORS®. “And as HER, REALTORS® moves into the future, I’m excited to say that we have chosen to do so beside another central figure in the real estate industry by joining the Hanna Family of Companies.”
This merger brings two incredibly formidable companies together to form the #1 brokerage firm in Ohio offering real estate services to home buyers and sellers across the Buckeye State. By combining two powerful forces, the organization will benefit from increased collaboration across markets, bringing together the best of each company to enhance our offerings statewide.
“We believe this is a great opportunity for our agents – and we want to spend the next part of our career with the Hannas,” said Shawn Adams, President of HER, REALTORS®. “It’s not only the resources we gain in tools and technology, but this opportunity will allow us to continue to grow with our local leadership and support staff – and have the addition of more benefits and more offerings for our agents.”
With this merger, HER, REALTORS® agents will gain access to a best-in-class marketing and agent productivity suite, a robust local, regional, and global relocation network through the Hanna Family of Companies, and their relationship with LeadingRE, and enhanced agent connections and lead generation opportunities. These resources have given Howard Hanna agents a competitive edge over their peers, and in a recent review of the suite, it was determined that agents increased their production by 36% in 2021 by utilizing the productivity suite.
“Our commitment to implementing innovative marketing programs and technology in our real estate brokerage, as well as our mortgage, title, and insurance businesses, continues to be the differentiator for Howard Hanna,” said Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna, IV, President of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “By leading through innovation and investing in the right tools and resources for our agents, we’ve achieved a national #3 ranking in agent productivity. We look forward to learning and growing with the HER, REALTORS® agents in the coming months as we find the path forward by becoming stronger together.”
About Howard Hanna: Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is the #1 family-owned and -operated broker in the U.S.A. The full-service real estate company has nearly 400 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices across 13 states, including Allen Tate Realtors® in the Carolinas and The F.C. Tucker Company in Indiana, with more than 13,000 sales associates and staff, including many of the industry’s top-producing real estate agents. For more information, visit www.HowardHanna.com.
Contact:
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services: Hoby Hanna, hobyhanna@howardhanna.com, (216) 447-4477
