Global luxury real estate boutique brokerage The Agency has launched a new franchise office in the Outaouais region of Quebec, the company announced on Wednesday. This marks the firm’s 13th office in Canada.
“Our strategic expansion in Canada has been unprecedented as we continue to feed the demand around the world for a luxury brand like The Agency,” Jim Ramsay, executive vice president of franchise sales at The Agency, said in a prepared statement.
The new office will join a network of more than 70 offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, including corporately-owned and franchise offices.
The Agency has launched five new offices in the first quarter of 2023. Last week, the brokerage launched a new franchise in Mallorca and on Monday, the firm launched a new domestic Bay Shore office, expanding its footprint in Long Island.
The Outaouais partnership will give the firm access to The Agency’s leadership, marketing, public relations, technology and training, among other tools. The office will be led by managing partners Maxime Damour and John M. Faratro.
“Our partners Maxime Damour and John M. Faratro are the perfect duo to lead our efforts in the region as incredible stewards of our unique brand and culture” The Agency CEO and founder Mauricio Umansky said.
Damour, whose real estate career spans 13 years, was previously a real estate agent at The Agency Ottawa. He specializes in pre-construction sales and leasing, according to the statement, with an expertise in the local market. He has also held roles at real estate companies like Blue Panda Realty.
“With its natural beauty and close proximity to Ottawa, we think it’s poised to be a perfect fit for The Agency’s white glove service and world-class brand,” Damour said.
Faratro has three decades of experience in the real estate and entrepreneurial space. He previously held the role of managing partner at The Agency Montréal, where he participated in development projects and major commercial real estate transactions worth more than $150 million.
He also founded Struktur Real Estate Developments in 2010. Nine years later, Faratro opened a commercial real estate agency in Montréal by acquiring the master franchise for SVN in Québec, the statement notes.
In addition, Faratro has held other roles, including agency executive officer (AEO) and a member of Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) — a real estate self-regulatory organization —, and the Greater Montreal Real Estate Board and of the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB).
“It’s exciting to be a part of The Agency’s growth in Canada as we open our new office in Outaouais,” he said.
The Agency ranked number 21 on the 2022 RealTrends 500 rankings, with a total sales volume of more than $9 billion in 2021. Since 2011, it has closed more than $57 billion in real estate transactions.
Earlier in February, The Agency laid off roughly 4% of its staff, or fewer than 15 of its staff members.
