Florida-based ONE Sotheby’s International Realty recently acquired boutique real estate brokerage Harding Realty, looking to expand its footprint serving international buyers in the state.
Founded in 1978 by sisters Marta Waserstein and Anita Bigelman, Harding Realty is a local name in neighborhoods including Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor, Golden Beach, Surfside, Brickell, and Miami Beach.
While international buyers and investors have decreased in the state, according to a 2020 survey by the National Association of Realtors, many Florida economists say it expected to rebound once the pandemic subsides. The dollar volume of Florida’s existing homes purchased by foreign buyers during August 2019–July 2020, was $15.6 billion, which is 11% of the dollar volume of Florida’s existing home sales (2% decrease from the prior 12-month level of $16 billion.) Some 47.3% of all foreign buyers buy a home in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach areas.
Harding Realty has a strong focus on international buyers and new developments. The firm exclusively represented several of the most recognized developers in the area and sold out buildings including The Majestic, The Palace, The Wave, Bellini, St Tropez and Brickell Ten.
“The ONE Sotheby’s brand recognition and reach across international and domestic markets is unlike any other,” added Harding Realty co-founder Anita Bigelman. “Mayi and Daniel have managed to build a brand with a local footprint as strong as its global presence, and a culture that makes you feel like family—that is extremely rare.”
As part of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty’s aggressive growth strategy aimed at attracting leading industry talent, the brokerage will onboard Harding Realty’s 34 agents to their network of more than 1,000 real estate professionals. The addition of Harding Realty is the firm’s sixth recent acquisition and brings the brokerage’s total number of offices to 21 locations spanning from Miami to Cocoa Village.
