Through strategic alliances, brokerage firms can ease the process of breaking into new segments or regions by combining the reputations they’ve built in their markets and the consumer trust brands represent. Such mutually beneficial relationships have many forms, all working to ironclad companies for whatever the economy throws their way.
Corcoran Lifestyles Realty, headquartered in the Seattle suburb of Bothell, Washington, chose affiliating with Corcoran as a path to guide its operations, and ultimately, growth. “Staying on top of the latest programs can be overwhelming,” explained Stephanie McCarthy, a broker-owner at the firm. “Instead of spending our time developing and implementing systems, we’re able to lean on Corcoran’s proven platform.”
That focused bandwidth enables her agents to concentrate on their day-to-day, which she stresses couldn’t be more important in a changing economy.
“As the market changes, our Corcoran partnership prepares us for whatever comes our way,” McCarthy adds. “Having their expertise backing us is enormous. It has been the best professional experience we’ve encountered in a franchise.”
New York-based Corcoran launched its affiliate network in early 2020, quickly becoming the industry’s fastest-growing franchise. Its expansion has happened through direction affiliations, like with Corcoran Lifestyles Realty, and with mergers, acquisitions, and branch start-ups, which have been on the rise for its affiliates.
“For firms with aggressive growth goals, or whose growth is stalled, merging with other like-minded companies is a logical move to grow market share in regions they currently serve or expand into new ones,” explains Stephanie Anton, President of the Corcoran Affiliate Network. “And with the uncertainty we’re seeing today, there’s no better time to pursue those conversations.”
The Corcoran brand helped Sawyer Smith Residential — based across the Hudson River from Manhattan in Jersey…