RealtyUSA Merges with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

RealtyUSA has merged with Pittsburgh-based Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

The deal, which was announced Wednesday by Howard Hanna III and RealtyUSA President and Chief Executive Merle Whitehead, will create the third largest residential real estate company in the country. Discussions regarding a merger began six months ago, the companies said.

The merged company's combined performance last year represents $16.2 billion in closed sales volume from 89,737 closed transactions. Whitehead will serve as chairman of the combined company in New York.

Prior to the deal, RealtyUSA was the largest residential broker in New York and the ninth largest nationwide, with more than 2,200 sales associates and employees and 23,023 closed transactions last year.

RealtyUSA is also the parent company of 1st Priority Mortgage.

"RealtyUSA and Howard Hanna agents will benefit from each other's markets for referrals in areas they do not serve. When we expand our reach, everybody within the Howard Hanna family of companies benefits," Howard Hanna President and Chief Executive Helen Hanna Casey said in a news release.

Howard Hanna was the largest broker in Pennsylvania and Ohio and the fourth largest in the country before the deal. The company, which is privately owned, also has operations in Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Maryland and North Carolina.

Howard Hanna said that the transition post-merger "will be seamless for both agents and clients, and the range of services offered will be expanded for both." The merged company plans to expand its insurance unit and marketing and technology systems, adding up to 40 employees.

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