R
ussell Real Estate Services has acquired Volpini Realty, uniting two family-owned real estate firms with similar cultures. The deal was announced in a news release on Wednesday, bringing together Russell Real Estate from Strongsville and Volpini Realty's offices in Boardman and Howland.

    The acquisition follows months of discussions between the two companies, which began last November. Marisa Volpini, owner of Volpini Realty, sought to partner with a company that shared her values and connected with Jeff Russell, broker/owner of Russell Real Estate Services, who is friends with her daughter.

    Russell Real Estate was founded by Russell's grandfather in 1962, while Volpini has been in real estate for 44 years. The acquisition extends Russell Real Estate's territory to the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, adding Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties to their existing area of operation.

    Volpini will become a broker associate with Russell for the Ohio territories and broker/owner in western Pennsylvania. "It really helps expand our footprint," Russell said. With the purchase, Russell Real Estate will have eight locations and approximately 600 agents, including Volpini's two offices and 25 agents.