Breaking: It’s Official. Scott Carlson Real Estate Acquired by Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s

Part one: Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s has begun an acquisition process that is part of their overall strategy to have a stronger presence in Lakewood area real estate. Today they made part of that process official: Robbie Briggs has acquired Scott Carlson Real Estate.

And what a presence! Scott Carlson, a force of nature in the Lakewood residential real estate market, is a force of nature himself.

I know Robbie Briggs and Scott Carlson have been in communication about this for about a year now, and I caught wind of it six months ago. When I asked Scott (we are both on the board of the USAFF), he played coy. Which to me always means, they haven’t inked the details of the deal. Then when he went to Dubai last month, and attended the Sotheby’s International Real Estate Forum, I put two plus two together.

“When Robbie Briggs told me about the Sotheby’s International Real Estate Forum in Dubai and the opening of the new Sotheby’s Dubai Office, I knew I had to attend. I experienced the Sotheby’s International brand while attending the Sotheby’s International Real Estate Forum,” says Scott. “I met with the Italian, Spain, Toronto, New York City, and Miami offices. I realize this actually is an awesome opportunity and will be great for us, taking Scott Carlson Real Estate and Lakewood to the next level.”

The move continues an aggressive local expansion that began when Robbie Briggs teamed up with Sotheby’s International Realty about two years ago.

“We’re excited for Scott Carlson and his team to join Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty to present beautiful Lakewood properties to the world,” said Briggs. “Scott is a true neighborhood specialist with a long history of providing tremendous market knowledge and exceptional customer service to East Dallas clients. He and his team are a great fit for our mission to deliver the extraordinary in everything we do.

Lakewood, home to some of the fastest-turning, most rapidly appreciating properties in the area, is a prize plum for local Realtors and brokers. Demand plus tight inventory have made price gains here are among the highest in North Texas. Home sales prices in East Dallas were up 51% in January 2014 over 2013, according to the MLS.  Similarly, Oak Cliff prices shot up 53 percent from a year earlier, 49% in northwest Dallas and 65 percent in southeast Dallas.

And the brokers know that’s just the tip of the iceberg: with relocations on steroids and investments that have been made in downtown Dallas in the last decade, more people are choosing to live close-in. This is evident at M Street open houses where it is not uncommon to have 25 to 30 lookers descend on a property.

“I’ve always liked the way Robbie Briggs does business—with integrity, market knowledge and outstanding customer service,” said Scott Carlson. “The time is right to take our business to the next level by joining with a brand that is known for great marketing and a network of buyers and sellers that is truly global. We are excited about the incredible opportunity this association brings to Lakewood.”

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty has more than 230 agents in five offices and access to the global Sotheby’s network, including more than 11,000 agents in 600 offices worldwide. Last year, those 230 agents sold $1.707 billion worth of real estate.

But that’s not all: stay tuned for Part Two of this amazing story on Monday afternoon.