Christie’s International Real Estate has expanded its presence in Northeast Florida by adding a brokerage that reported $1 billion in sales volume last year. The company has incorporated First Coast, formerly affiliated with Engel & Völkers, into its network. The rebranded Christie’s International Real Estate First Coast is led by founder Corey Hastings and employs 130 agents focused on the Jacksonville metropolitan area.
Corey Hastings, who previously played football at Ohio University and pursued an NFL career before moving into real estate, established the brokerage in Jacksonville in 2018. The firm 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.
This development follows news that Compass is set to acquire Anywhere Real Estate for $1.6 billion through an all-stock transaction. First Coast became part of Compass’ group of brands after Compass acquired @properties and Christie’s last year for $444 million.
The real estate industry continues to see consolidation as brokerages seek larger footprints in Florida following the state’s pandemic-driven housing boom. In 2022, One Sotheby’s International Realty purchased First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty—a firm with 93 agents operating offices throughout Jacksonville, Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach and Amelia Island—which had recorded $770 million in sales volume the previous year.
Jacksonville’s real estate market experienced significant growth during the pandemic but has since stabilized. As of July this year, inventory levels were up by 23.5 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures while median home values have started to decline according to reporting from the Jacksonville Business Journal. Redfin data shows that as of August, the city’s median single-family home price stands at $325,700.
