U
nited Real Estate is expanding its presence in South Florida through a major move. Charles Rutenberg Realty Fort Lauderdale (CRR), a subsidiary of United, will merge with Real Estate Authority LLC. This marks the company's second expansion this month.

    The merger brings together CRR's resources and expertise with Real Estate Authority's talent and experience. "This union allows me to provide my agents with world-class support and opportunities for growth," said Michael Brownell, founder of Real Estate Authority. Brownell will also serve as Charles Rutenberg's talent attraction specialist to boost the brokerage's presence in South Florida.

    Brownell has a strong track record, having founded Real Estate Authority in 2019 after an 11-year stint with United Realty Group. Michelle Sessor, managing broker at Charles Rutenberg, praised Brownell's dedication and professionalism. "We're thrilled to welcome Michael's team to CRR," she said.

    United Real Estate is coming off a successful year, with 73,000 transactions and $26.3 billion in sales in 2024. The company is confident that the merger will drive further growth in South Florida. "Michael and his agents add fuel to our operation, and we're excited to deploy our tools and services to help them succeed," said a spokesperson for United Real Estate.