United Real Estate Expands Gulf Coast Presence with VPR
United Real Estate has expanded its reach along the Gulf Coast with the launch of VPR | United. The new brokerage will cover coastal markets from Mobile, Alabama, through Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and into Destin, Florida.
The business is being led by Virtual Properties Realty, an Atlanta-based company within the United Real Estate network. The expansion gives the group a stronger presence in a stretch of the southeastern US where population growth has brought more attention to local housing markets.
United Real Estate enters new Gulf Coast markets
Demand across the region comes from different groups of buyers. Some are moving to the coast, while others are looking for second homes or property investment opportunities. Population growth has added to the activity in several local markets.
Florida's Fort Walton Beach–Destin–Crestview metropolitan area grew by 26% between 2020 and 2024, according to the state's Office of Economic and Demographic Research. Alabama's Daphne–Fairhope–Foley area has also grown. Its population increased from around 182,000 in 2010 to more than 260,000.
For United Real Estate, the expansion is also about supporting the agents working in these communities. Rick Haase, President of United Real Estate, pointed to the role of technology, local leadership and operational support in helping agents serve their clients.
Jamie Mertz, Principal Broker of VPR | United, also emphasised the importance of combining local market knowledge with technology. Buyers and sellers often need guidance through several stages of a property transaction, making local expertise an important part of the brokerage's approach.
Building on its existing network
The Gulf Coast launch adds to United Real Estate's wider presence in the southeastern United States. Its network includes affiliations with Allison James Estates & Homes in Port Charlotte and Premiere Plus Realty in Naples, both in Florida. The corporation additionally conducts its business in the states of Louisiana and Texas.
United Real Estate is present all over the country with a presence in 37 states, operating from 170 offices and having a workforce of more than 22,600 agents. In the year 2025, the company had over 74,000 transactions with a total sales volume amounting to $30.3 billion.
The main company of United Real Estate, United Real Estate Group, also operates United Country Real Estate. Together, the two companies have a presence of 600 around the globe and 24,500 professionals in the field of real estate and auction business.
With VPR | United, the company is adding another coastal market to its brokerage network. Its performance in the region will depend on how effectively it connects with local buyers, sellers and agents as housing needs continue to evolve.
