BUSINESS BRIEF

Coach Realtors merges with Howard Hanna

Posted

Two family-owned real estate firms that opened their doors in the 1950s with eyes to serve their immediate neighbors are now joining forces some 70 years later.

Coach Realtors — based in Northport, but with offices across Long Island — has merged with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services out of Pittsburgh. The partnership of “two industry powerhouses” will “transform into even more amazing opportunities for our agents and clients,” said Howard “Hoby” Hanna IV, president of Howard Hanna, in a release.

“Our combined strength, talents and resources will be such an advantage in the industry.”

Howard Hanna first opened in Pittsburgh in 1957, not long after Coach Realtors set up shop in 1954. For Coach, that start began with a friendship founded during World War II that became a business partnership, according to the company’s history.

Since then, however, the two homegrown firms have expanded to become heavy hitters in the national real estate market. Howard Hanna has grown its presence in New York over the last seven years, and describes itself as the largest real estate firm in the state, based on units sold.

“We are thrilled to joined forces with Howard Hanna,” said Whitney Finn LaCosta, broker and owner of Coach Realtors, in a release. “We’re still the same Coach Realtors people have come to know and love, and you can expect the same top-quality service from our team. We just have a stronger real estate network for our clients now.”

As part of the merger, Coach Realtors will retain its existing leadership and direction, with Finn LaCosta becoming chief executive of the newly combined Howard Hannah | Coach Realtors.

Coach agents gain an expanded referral network across 13 states, and will grow the overall network to more than 15,000 agents and staff members.

“This partnership allows us to take Coach Realtors to the next level,” LaCosta said. “I’m looking forward to working with Howard Hanna and continuing our legacy of excellence.”