Douglas Elliman Announces Launch of International Business, Expanding Global Reach of America's Premier Luxury Real Estate Brand

Rhea-AI Summary

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG) has announced the launch of Elliman International, marking its expansion into global markets. The initiative enables the luxury real estate brokerage to directly serve international clients without third-party intermediaries. The expansion will focus on luxury destinations in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and emerging wealth centers. CEO Michael S. Liebowitz emphasized this move as a natural progression for America's premier luxury real estate brand. The implementation will begin with core services for existing clients, followed by strategic recruitment and establishment of physical offices in key markets.

Positive

• Direct access to international markets without reliance on third-party intermediaries
• Expansion into high-demand luxury markets across multiple continents
• Strategic approach focusing on substance over scale
• Potential for increased market share in global luxury real estate

Negative

• Significant investment required for global expansion and physical office locations
• Potential operational challenges in managing international operations
• Competitive pressures in established international markets

Insights

Financial Strategy Expert

Douglas Elliman's global expansion creates new revenue opportunities while eliminating third-party dependencies in international luxury real estate transactions.

Douglas Elliman's launch of Elliman International marks a strategic pivot from reliance on third-party intermediaries to direct international operations. This transformation significantly enhances the company's ability to capture value from cross-border luxury real estate transactions.

The company is targeting high-growth luxury markets across Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific—regions with substantial wealth concentration and luxury property demand. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, management has emphasized a quality-first approach with their "substance over scale" strategy, preserving their premium brand positioning.

This international venture addresses a critical business gap. With affluent clients increasingly viewing real estate as global portfolio assets, Douglas Elliman was potentially leaving significant transaction value on the table by operating through partnerships. Direct international operations should increase profit margins on global transactions while maintaining quality control over the client experience.

The phased implementation—beginning with services for existing clients before expanding to recruitment and physical locations—demonstrates a measured approach that balances growth ambitions with operational prudence. This methodical expansion suggests leadership is mindful of the substantial regulatory complexities and operational challenges of multi-jurisdiction real estate operations.

By establishing direct international operations rather than relying on referral networks (unlike many competitors), Douglas Elliman positions itself to capture greater value from the entire transaction lifecycle while building a truly global luxury real estate platform.

Strategic Evolution Enhances Service Excellence Beyond U.S. Borders with Direct Access to International Markets

NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG), one of the largest residential real estate brokerages with the highest national average sales price, today announced the launch of Elliman International, extending the company's renowned and exacting service to key global markets. This strategic initiative will enable Douglas Elliman to directly serve its agents, clients, and developers' growing international real estate needs without limited third-party intermediaries. The expansion will emphasize substance over scale and boast a roster of sales professionals whose work ethic and dedication to client service mirror that of Douglas Elliman's entrepreneurial culture. 

"Elliman International represents the natural progression of our legacy as America's premier luxury real estate brokerage now becoming global," said Michael S. Liebowitz, President and CEO of Douglas Elliman Inc. "From my first day as CEO, I recognized the need to establish our own international presence that preserves the high-level of service our clients expect. This isn't just an expansion—it's a transformation that positions Douglas Elliman as the truly global brand it is."

Initial focus will be on high-demand luxury destinations in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and other emerging wealth centers. 

"With the ever-evolving international landscape, our clients and developers increasingly view real estate as a global portfolio, not confined by borders," said Susan de França, President and CEO of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. "Unlike many of our competitors, we will not be reliant on partnerships to define us—we are forging ahead with our own global identity that reflects our commitment to and reputation for excellence at every touchpoint." 

The company's international expansion will begin with immediate activation of core services for existing Douglas Elliman clients, followed by strategic recruitment of teams and individual agents who will operate under the Elliman banner. Select physical office locations in key markets are also planned.

About Douglas Elliman Inc.

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG, "Douglas Elliman") owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which is one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the United States with operations in New York, Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. In addition, Douglas Elliman sources, uses, and invests in early-stage, disruptive property technology ("PropTech") solutions and companies and provides other real estate services, including development marketing, property management, and settlement and escrow services in select markets. Additional information concerning Douglas Elliman Realty is available on its website, www.elliman.com.

Investors and others should note that we may post information about Douglas Elliman Inc. on our website at investors.elliman.com or, if applicable, on our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, YouTube, or other social media platforms. It is possible that the postings or releases could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in Douglas Elliman to review the information we post on our website at investors.elliman.com and on our social media accounts.

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SOURCE Douglas Elliman

FAQ

What is Douglas Elliman's (DOUG) international expansion strategy?

Douglas Elliman is launching Elliman International to serve key global markets directly, focusing on luxury destinations in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and emerging wealth centers.

How will DOUG implement its international expansion?

The expansion will begin with core services for existing clients, followed by strategic recruitment of teams and agents, and establishment of physical offices in key markets.

What markets will Douglas Elliman International target first?

The company will initially focus on high-demand luxury destinations in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and other emerging wealth centers.

Why is Douglas Elliman expanding internationally?

The expansion aims to serve their agents, clients, and developers' growing international real estate needs without third-party intermediaries, positioning Douglas Elliman as a truly global luxury brand.

Who is leading Douglas Elliman's international expansion?

The expansion is being led by Michael S. Liebowitz, President and CEO of Douglas Elliman Inc., with support from Susan de França, President and CEO of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.