Howard Hanna Expands to Northern New England via Portside

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services announced its expansion into northern New England this week through a strategic partnership with Portside Real Estate Group, a Maine-based independent brokerage. This collaboration establishes an immediate presence for Howard Hanna in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, extending its operational footprint to 18 states and over 500 offices nationwide. Portside Real Estate Group, founded and led by Dava Davin, currently operates 12 offices and employs more than 225 agents.

According to RealTrends Verified data, Portside Real Estate Group achieved significant transaction volume in 2025, closing 2,090 transaction sides with a total sales value of $1.33 billion. This performance secured Portside the No. 239 national ranking for sales volume in the 2026 RealTrends Verified Rankings. Under the terms of the partnership, Portside will maintain its established brand identity and local leadership. In return, it will gain access to Howard Hanna's comprehensive suite of resources, including advanced technology, robust marketing capabilities, a national and global referral network, and specialized consumer programs like "Buy Before You Sell" and the "100% Money Back Guarantee."

This partnership model, often described as "powered by" or affiliate-style, is designed to merge national-level scale with localized operational control. This approach is particularly relevant in the current real estate market, characterized by increasing cost pressures and industry consolidation among brokerages. Howard Hanna CEO Hoby Hanna stated that the company is committed to "thoughtful, disciplined growth" by aligning with market leaders who share their entrepreneurial and relationship-driven ethos. He highlighted Portside's "dominant market share" and emphasized that this alliance demonstrates how independent, family-owned brokerages can leverage combined forces to offer national scale and institutional resources while retaining the agility and local decision-making crucial to their identity.

A key competitive advantage cited by the companies for this expansion is Howard Hanna's capacity to provide independent contractor agents with access to healthcare and 401(k) benefits. These offerings are increasingly becoming vital recruitment tools as brokerages seek to differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape.