Red Oak Realty is Now the East Bay's Largest Independent Brokerage
Red Oak Realty is acquiring fellow East Bay independent brokerage Marvin Gardens Real Estate.
We're incredibly excited to bring on Marvin Gardens’ talented group of 60 dedicated real estate professionals. Together, we will serve more East Bay real estate consumers as the region’s largest independent real estate brokerage and as the largest brokerage overall in Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond and Kensington.
It’s not about size, of course, but about quality. We’re East Bay-focused -- always have been and always will be -- and we’re doubling down on our home market with this acquisition. The additional team and resources will allow us to serve our clients even better.
The acquisition also represents a commitment to growing a locally owned, hand-crafted brokerage who serves clients as friends and neighbors. Corporate behemoths -- who are increasingly taking over the real estate industry -- aren’t the only way forward, or the best way.
We stand by our commitment to independence. That is the freedom to make decisions -- and support our clients and agents -- without having to report to a corporate headquarters that owes money to investors in another country, or puts profits over people.
Why the Acquisition
Both of Red Oak Realty and Marvin Gardens were founded in the East Bay about four decades ago and share a deep commitment to the communities we live and work in.
While not apparent to the average consumer yet, it’s no secret in the industry that real estate is experiencing immense waves of change right now -- some of which we’ll be chronicling on this blog.
Vanessa Bergmark (left), Red Oak Realty owner and CEO and Marvin Gardens owners Todd Hodson and Marion Henon discuss the acquisition.
By joining forces with a firm that shares our love of the East Bay, a belief in serving clients with deep knowledge and also has talented leaders and agents, Red Oak Realty is poised to serve more East Bay consumers with its client-first real estate model.
“This was truly a decision from the heart,” said Marion Henon who owns Marvin Gardens with Todd Hodson. “Both companies have shared the same values for decades, and rather than work as separate factions or sell to a giant corporation, we’ll be stronger together.”
Both Todd and Marion are joining Red Oak as sales managers.
“Ultimately, Marvin Gardens is changing its name, not its philosophy,” said Red Oak Realty owner Vanessa Bergmark. “The company has built something that the agents and staff can be proud of, and it is important to preserve that success and minimize changes to agents.”
Vanessa Bergmark (left), Red Oak Realty owner and CEO, with Marvin Gardens owners Todd Hodson and Marion Henon.
