Christie’s International Real Estate has expanded its presence in Northeast Florida by adding a brokerage that recorded $1 billion in sales volume last year. The company has brought on board First Coast, previously affiliated with Engel & Völkers. The firm will now operate as Christie’s International Real Estate First Coast and is led by founder Corey Hastings.
Hastings, who started the brokerage in Jacksonville in 2018 after his time as an Ohio University football player, oversees a team of 130 agents focused on the Jacksonville metropolitan area. The brokerage currently operates six offices across Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, San Marco, and Neptune Beach. Plans are underway to open an additional office in St. Augustine.
The announcement follows recent industry news that Compass is acquiring Anywhere Real Estate for $1.6 billion through an all-stock transaction. First Coast is part of the Compass group of brands following Compass’ acquisition of @properties and Christie’s last year for $444 million.
The real estate sector has seen increased consolidation recently, especially in Florida where brokerages have sought to expand their reach after the state experienced significant market growth during the pandemic. In 2022, One Sotheby’s International Realty acquired First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty—a firm with 93 agents and offices in several cities including Jacksonville and Amelia Island—after it posted $770 million in sales volume the previous year.
Although Jacksonville’s real estate market saw rapid growth during the pandemic period, activity has since slowed. As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, inventory levels as of July were up 23.5 percent compared to before the pandemic began. Redfin data indicates that as of August, the median price for a single-family home in Jacksonville stands at $325,700.
