Lamacchia has been in talks with the Sears family for years as it continues to expand in New England. The deal was announced this week.
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Anthony Lamacchia announced this week that he will expand his brokerage operations in Massachusetts after acquiring a company owned by National Association of Realtors President Kevin Sears.
Lamacchia Realty has acquired Springfield-based Sears Realty after years of pursuing the business, which the Sears family welcomed, the company said.
“For us, it’s more territory, more market share, filling more gaps on the map,” Lamacchia told Inman. “We are the fourth largest company in Massachusetts by total sales. We still have a gap on the map. (Springfield) is a big gap.”
Sears Realty was founded in 1971 by Kevin Sears’ father, Paul Sears, who died last month at age 86. Sears and Lamacchia said the company has deep roots in the region and the two companies will co-brand operations for about a year. during the transitional period.
Paul Sears founded the company while serving on the Springfield City Council for eight years. Kevin Sears later joined him.
The Lamacchia and Sears families have been in talks for years about a potential merger as Lamacchia Real Estate expands across New England, but is aware of its offices in Worcester and Southington, Conn. There is a gap between. The talks made progress last year.
“We started talking about this last summer. They went and told their father in early September,” Lamacchia said. “They don’t need his approval; they don’t need his approval.” They are the property owners. But I just felt like I wanted him to be okay with it. They had his approval. “
The merger gives Lamacchia Realty a foothold in New England’s third-largest market.
The sale marks another landmark event in a whirlwind year for Sears, which took office almost a full year earlier than originally planned due to the sudden resignation of former President Tracy Casper in January. .
The early promotion means Sears will have been the head of the largest U.S. trade group for nearly two years. That boost helped the deal cross the finish line.
“In the fall, when we were on the 1-yard line, we just didn’t get over the goal line,” Sears said.
That changed on Jan. 8, when Sears, who was NAR president-elect and was set to take office in November 2024, suddenly took office 10 months early.
“Whether Kevin becomes president or not, we’re going to do this at some point,” Lamacchia said. “But obviously, him being president, he’s a well-known figure, and that’s also more attractive.”
Lamacchia Realty is now home to Massachusetts Association of Realtors President Amy Wallick, MLS PIN Treasurer Ronald Rusin, Jr. and Sears.
“We have some big names — that’s a good thing for the company,” Lamacchia said. “This is our pride.”
Shortly after graduating from college in 1994, Sears joined the agency founded by his father. He will remain with Lamacchia Realty along with his brother Brian.
“Brian and I will be agent associates at Lamacchia Realty. We will still be there to be a resource not only for our existing agents but any new agents we bring in,” Sears said. “Anthony will be our agent of record.”
Sears said now is the perfect time to sell the family-owned store.
“What Anthony does, the way he runs the store, the education, training and support he provides to his employees,” Sears said, “it’s a perfect fit for us.”
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