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hris Trapani and Ryan Iwanaga, co-founders of Christie's International Real Estate Sereno, felt a mix of emotions as they regained their independence from @properties. The deal was finalized on January 13, after @properties merged with Compass. For the duo, this marked an opportunity to refocus on their core mission: making meaning, not just money.
Trapani and Iwanaga have known each other since childhood, sharing a passion for real estate that began when they were kids. They left Coldwell Banker Realty in 2006 to start Sereno, which operated independently for 16 years. The partnership with @properties provided valuable knowledge, but the founders felt it was time to return to their roots.
The catalyst for this change came when Compass acquired Christie's and @properties for $150 million. Trapani and Iwanaga saw an opportunity to revive Sereno's hyperlocal, community-focused mission. "We learned so much from those guys," Trapani said. "Now, we can go back to those hyperlocal inspirations for starting the company in the first place."
Sereno's staff was also relieved by the return to independence. The co-founders reported that most employees were concerned about losing their soul and purpose when the Compass merger arose. However, the move has reignited the company's spark, and Sereno has even recruited new agents.
Competition isn't a concern for Sereno, as the brand has a history of competing with household names. Trapani emphasized that the brokerage focuses on recruiting productive agents rather than mass hiring. Sereno is now the exclusive representative of Christie's International Real Estate in the Bay Area, offering a unique combination of hyperlocal expertise and global luxury branding.
Trapani and Iwanaga aim to appeal to agents who value a connected, quality experience over the corporatized feel of larger brokerage brands. "We set out to make meaning not just money," Trapani said. Sereno has already made a significant impact, with its charitable foundation generating $6.5 million for over 550 organizations.
