Sarasota-based realty firm expands on east coast

SARASOTA — Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, the largest brokerage in Florida, based in Sarasota, has acquired the assets of a Fort Lauderdale firm.

Terms of the deal, for Fort Lauderdale-based Lanham and Associates, weren't disclosed. Lanham and Associates will now operate under the Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate banner, according to a release. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is a subsidiary of NRT LLC, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the country.

“We are very pleased to welcome the professionals of Lanham and Associates,” Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate President Clark Toole says in the statement. “Our company is expanding operations in South Florida and seeking opportunities to grow by identifying sales associates who know the local market inside and out. This is a very talented and smart group of professionals, and they bring an excellent reputation in the industry and local community.”

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate has expanded in Florida through several acquisitions in the past two years. That includes five in Brevard County, one in Flagler County, one in Fort Myers and one in Naples. The firm now has more than 75 offices and 4,800 independent sales associates in Central Florida, Palm Beach, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is also a member of the Coldwell Banker global franchise network, which includes 3,100 offices with more than 87,000 affiliated sales associates.