Christa Huffstickler, the founder and CEO of Engel & Völkers Atlanta, is taking over existing Engel & Völkers territories in Buckhead and North Fulton and launching a new shop in Sandy Springs. The real question is, where is real estate dynamo Shirley Gary who founded these two locations going? We will report more on Gary as the news evolves.

Huffstickler will be at the helm of the Buckhead market, while Sam Morgan, the director of sales with over two decades of experience in Atlanta real estate, will manage the North Fulton office. The Sandy Springs branch will be led by top producers Matt LaMarsh, Christin Coffin, and Kristen Skebe.

The recent moves come on the heels of Engel & Völkers Atlanta’s expansion to Blue Ridge, allowing the brokerage to reach markets from the mountains to North Carolina. Blue Ridge has become one of Georgia’s most desirable housing areas, as tracked by American City Business Journals, owners of the Chronicle. Scott Askew, a seasoned professional and former president of the Atlanta Board of Realtors, will be the qualifying broker overseeing all offices.

Last year, Engel & Völkers Atlanta was ranked No. 22, boasting $644 million in gross residential sales volume from its Atlanta territories. Huffstickler noted that the brokerage ended the year with 140 sales agents but has now grown to over 200. This growth has been achieved through aggressive hiring, including talents from various industries, especially in marketing and design, to bolster the brand and support sales agents. Huffstickler, who founded the brokerage six years ago, has strategically positioned it for growth across metro Atlanta.

Despite a cooling in the housing market due to rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, Huffstickler remains optimistic in an interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Housing markets are always going to ebb and flow,” she said. “Overall, the real estate market has shifted downward in 2022 and 2023, but we took that opportunity to continue to reinvent ourselves and identify other markets where we wanted to grow.”

Engel & Völkers Atlanta’s Sandy Springs branch will be an ideal service location, thanks to the area’s attractive suburban setting, top schools, and convenient Atlanta access. “Our client base is increasingly gravitating toward Sandy Springs, and it makes sense for us to be there,” Huffstickler said in a press release.

Anthony Hitt, president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas, praised Christa Huffstickler. “She’s focused on building up the incredible team she’s created and is a beacon of service, mentorship, and marketing within the Greater Atlanta new development and residential real estate market,” he said.

The North Fulton and Sandy Springs shops are expected to open before September, marking Engel & Völkers Atlanta’s second expansion this year.

Expressing her commitment to the brand, Huffstickler stated, “At Engel & Völkers Atlanta, we have mastered the leverage of our global platform and brand synonymous with providing white-glove real estate to discerning clientele, with localized expertise and a global network. With an incredible on-the-ground team, we have continued to grow and take advantage of new opportunities to create a more consistent presence for such a prestigious and well-recognized brand in the Atlanta marketspace.”

With these new steps, Engel & Völkers Atlanta demonstrates a robust and resilient growth strategy aligned with market shifts and opportunities, ensuring a continuous ascent in one of the country’s most competitive real estate landscapes.