Oct. 12, 2025

Corey Hasting’s Bold Transition to Christie’s International Real Estate | First Coast

What It Took to Move 138 Agents, 5 Offices, and an Entire Culture into a New Era of Luxury Real Estate

The real estate industry in Northeast Florida is watching a major shift unfold—one that signals a new era in the luxury market.

In Episode 290 of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, host Tracy Hayes sits down with returning guest Corey Hasting, the former owner-broker of Engel & Völkers First Coast, to unpack one of the boldest brokerage moves in the region’s history.

Corey recently led the complete transition of 138 agents and 5 offices across Northeast Florida into a new chapter as Christie’s International Real Estate | First Coast. In this powerful interview, he shares exactly how and why this move came to be—and what it means for buyers, sellers, and agents alike.

The Brand Behind the Boldness

When asked why he made such a high-stakes move, Corey was clear:

“If we don’t have the best, or we don’t believe we’re the best—why are we doing this?”

Corey knew the bar had to be raised. The luxury market in Northeast Florida is growing rapidly, with record-breaking $15 million to $22 million home sales now occurring in areas like Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra. To lead in that space, he needed a brand that wasn’t just recognized—but respected around the world.

That brand was Christie’s International Real Estate.

With its deep roots in high-end global real estate and its connection to the legendary Christie’s Auction House, Corey saw this as a natural fit for a brokerage that had already proven itself locally and nationally. His Engel & Völkers brokerage had won the coveted Americas Cup for “Shop of the Year” and landed among the top 350 brokerages nationwide in the RealTrends rankings. But it was time for more.

“Christie’s has probably the best name in real estate… and ‘International Real Estate’ is in the name. That alone helps us overcome one of our biggest branding obstacles.”

Putting Agents First—And Giving Them Room to Win

Throughout the episode, Corey emphasizes that the move wasn’t about him—it was about his agents.

“Not every agent wants to be a $25 million producer. But every agent deserves the tools to grow their business the way they want.”

That belief shaped every conversation he had during the transition. Corey met with agents individually to explain the vision and field questions. What he expected to be a difficult uphill battle turned into a wave of shared excitement.

“It was the exact opposite of what I expected. Once people understood the who—Christie’s—the why, and the direction we were going, everyone was all in.”

He explained how Christie’s would help each advisor thrive—whether they needed better tech, stronger marketing, lead generation, or just more time to focus on clients.

“Top agents don’t need to learn real estate. They need time. Our job is to give them time back—by handling the things that take them away from their clients.”

Technology That Delivers Real Results

With the Christie’s partnership came access to tools and platforms that take luxury marketing and digital presence to another level.

“We are now powered by Luxury Presence websites—which are the best money can buy in real estate.”

Every agent under Christie’s First Coast receives their own subdomain. When a seller Googles their property, it now shows up among the top results on search engines. Agents also benefit from advanced SEO capabilities, pay-per-click advertising, and a fully branded mobile app called First Coast Luxury.

These aren’t surface-level upgrades. This is foundational digital infrastructure designed to compete with the top brokerages in the country.

Expanding Territory. Expanding Vision.

Perhaps one of the most strategically important aspects of Corey’s move to Christie’s was the exclusive territory rights he secured. He now owns the entire Northeast Florida region for Christie’s International Real Estate, stretching from St. Simons Island, Georgia, to deep Flagler Beach, Florida.

“That’s multiple new markets we can now expand into… and it gives us the runway to keep growing with the best.”

This territorial control opens the door for attracting elite agents, marketing luxury properties at scale, and maintaining the brand integrity Christie’s is known for.

What Happens Next?

Corey is clear about where he and his team are headed.

“I’ve had more energy in the last 2 or 3 months than I’ve had in years. This move has recharged me.”

His excitement is evident—and contagious. With a powerful new brand behind him, a high-performing team by his side, and a clear runway for growth, Corey Hasting is building something rare: a true luxury brokerage platform that prioritizes both excellence in service and agent well-being.

If you’re a real estate agent, team leader, or even a buyer or seller watching the shift in Northeast Florida’s high-end market, this episode offers valuable insights into what bold leadership looks like—and where real estate is heading.