Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group Acquires Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors, Expanding Presence in Southwestern Illinois

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group today announced the acquisition of Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors, a long-standing Metro East real estate brokerage with seven offices, 170 agents and more than five decades of service across Southwestern Illinois.

The acquisition brings together two respected Coldwell Banker organizations with deep Illinois roots, shared family-business values and a commitment to helping agents, staff and clients succeed.

Founded in 1972 as D.W. Brown Realtors, Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors has built a reputation across the Metro East and Southwestern Illinois region for local market knowledge, trusted relationships and full-service real estate support across residential, luxury, commercial, agricultural, development, relocation and property management services.

The acquisition strengthens Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group’s presence in Illinois and expands its ability to serve buyers, sellers, investors and communities throughout the Metro East and Southwestern Illinois region.

Family-Owned History

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group’s story also began in Illinois. The company traces its roots to Will County, where Ed Prodehl began his real estate career in 1971 and later purchased Robert J. Honig & Associates in 1984. Under the Prodehl family’s leadership, the company grew from two offices, 20 agents and $20 million in sales volume into one of the world’s leading Coldwell Banker affiliates, now serving Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan with nearly 60 offices and over 1,500 agents generating over $5 billion in sales volume annually.

Today, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group remains family owned and operated, led by President and CEO Mike Prodehl. That foundation continues to shape the company’s culture: preserving local relationships while investing in the tools, technology, marketing, training and operational support agents need to thrive.

At Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, family culture is more than a phrase. Founder Ed Prodehl, Mike Prodehl’s father, is 85 years old and still personally calls every agent and employee on their birthday — a tradition that reflects the company’s belief that people should feel known, valued and supported. With the addition of Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors, that tradition will now extend to more than 170 agents and employees across Southwestern Illinois.

“Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group started as an Illinois family business, and those roots still guide how we grow today. Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors has built an outstanding reputation across Southwestern Illinois through decades of local service, trusted relationships and commitment to its agents and clients. We are honored to welcome their agents and staff into our family-owned company and to support them with the resources and opportunities that will help them continue to thrive.”

— Mike Prodehl, President and CEO, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group

Brand Consolidation and the Value of Local Affiliates

The announcement comes at a time when the real estate industry has seen increased consolidation at various brand parent-company levels, along with ongoing debate around listing syndication, MLS cooperation and the role of real estate portals. For agents, staff and clients, those industry shifts can raise important questions about local support, leadership access, business continuity and how homes are marketed.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group believes this acquisition demonstrates the lasting value of strong local affiliates, especially as the industry evolves around brand consolidation, listing syndication and real estate portal relationships. The company’s approach remains grounded in doing what is right for the client: empowering agents to advise buyers and sellers with integrity, market homes using the best available technology, and rely on trusted MLS and real estate portal relationships while staying connected to the local communities they serve.

For Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors agents and staff, joining Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group means continued local attention and support without disrupting the relationships and business practices that have made the company successful. Clients will continue to work with the local real estate professionals they know and trust, while agents and staff gain access to a broader regional network, enhanced business tools, expanded referral opportunities and experienced support teams.

“We have always believed in serving our communities through relationships, integrity and local expertise. Joining Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group allows us to continue that work with the added strength of a family-owned Midwest company that understands and respects what our agents and staff have built.”

— Gerry Schuetzenhofer, President, Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors

Rebranding Timeline

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group will take a thoughtful, measured approach to rebranding. Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors will continue operating under its current name during the initial transition period, allowing agents and staff to maintain business continuity with minimal disruption to their clients, marketing and day-to-day operations.

The rebrand from Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group is expected to be completed by early 2027.

“Growth has always been about people for us. This is not simply about adding offices or expanding a map. It is about bringing together professionals who share the same belief in service, relationships and community. We are excited for what this means for the agents, staff and clients of Coldwell Banker Brown.”

— Mike Prodehl, President and CEO, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group