Christie’s International Real Estate has expanded its presence in Northeast Florida by bringing on a brokerage that recorded $1 billion in sales volume last year. The company announced it has added First Coast, previously affiliated with Engel & Völkers, to its network. The brokerage will now operate as Christie’s International Real Estate First Coast.
Corey Hastings, the founder of First Coast and a former Ohio University football player, leads the 130-agent firm. He started the brokerage in Jacksonville in 2018 after leaving his football career. The company currently has six offices located in Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, San Marco, and Neptune Beach. There are plans to open another office in St. Augustine soon.
The announcement follows news that Compass is acquiring Anywhere Real Estate for $1.6 billion through an all-stock transaction. First Coast became part of the Compass family via Compass’ $444 million acquisition of @properties and Christie’s last year.
Industry consolidation has been increasing as brokerages seek more territory in Florida following a strong market during the pandemic period. In 2022, One Sotheby’s International Realty acquired First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty—a separate firm with 93 agents and locations across Jacksonville, Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Amelia Island—after that firm’s sales reached $770 million the previous year.
Although Jacksonville’s real estate market grew rapidly during the pandemic years, recent trends show a cooling off. As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, inventory was up by 23.5 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels as of July. Median home values have begun to decline as well; Redfin data shows that as of August, the median price for a single-family home in Jacksonville stands at $325,700.
