Palm Beach, Broward Realtors join

Merger will serve some 25,000 agents

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors said Thursday it intends to merge with the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches, creating the third-largest local trade group in the nation.

The combined entity would serve more than 25,000 members and be known as the Realtors of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale. The two groups would share Multiple Listing Service data, totaling more than 40,000 listings and $21 billion in inventory.

The Miami Association of Realtors is the nation’s largest local trade group. The Houston Association of Realtors is the second largest.

“This is not meant to compete against Miami — it’s meant to strengthen our association and RAPB,” said Ron Lennen, president of Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors.

Lennen said agents who are members of both organizations can save money on dues. The merger also will give the trade group a stronger voice on state and federal home ownership issues, he said.

Once the merger is complete in 30 to 60 days, RAPB President John Slivon will serve the same role in the new organization. Lennen said he will take over as president in 2018.

Presidents are member real estate agents typically elected to one-year terms. Dionna Hall, CEO of the Palm Beach group, will head the combined entity’s day-to-day operations.

Richard Barkett, CEO of Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors, announced his retirement last year. He is stepping down following the merger.

Douglas Rill, broker at Century 21 America’s Choice in West Palm Beach, said the merger was overdue.

“This is a step in the right direction that will help members more freely navigate the megalopolis from Palm Beach County to Miami,” Rill said.

The South Broward Board of Realtors, a smaller trade group, will not be part of the merger, Lennen said. That group has a separate board but still has access to the shared MLS, he said.

The Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound Association of Realtors merged with the Miami Association of Realtors in 2015. That merger resulted from a dispute between the Miami and Palm Beach boards.