DALLAS – October 29, 2026 -- United Real Estate has launched VPR | United, a Gulf Coast brokerage covering communities from Mobile, Alabama to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Destin, Florida, citing a 26% population increase in the Destin area between 2020 and 2024.
Atlanta's largest brokerage leads the expansion
Virtual Properties Realty is leading the move. The United Real Estate company was Atlanta's largest residential brokerage by homes sold in 2025, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Jamie Mertz is Principal Broker of VPR | United.
Population data underpins the demand case
The Fort Walton Beach-Destin-Crestview MSA grew 26% from 2020 to 2024, according to the Florida Office of Economic & Demographic Research. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley MSA expanded from 182,000 residents in 2010 to more than 260,000 today.
United Real Estate President Rick Haase said population growth, economic investment and housing demand are creating opportunities for consumers and agents. He said the company aims to equip agents with technology, support and local leadership.
United operates 170 offices and closed $30.3 billion in 2025 sales
United Real Estate operates in 37 states with 170 offices and more than 22,600 agents. It produced over 74,000 transactions and $30.3 billion in sales volume in 2025. Agents work under a flat-fee, transaction-based compensation model and use the proprietary Bullseye Agent & Broker Productivity Platform.
Parent company United Real Estate Group also operates United Country Real Estate. Together the two brands support more than 600 offices and 24,500 real estate and auction professionals across four continents. The group recorded 91,700 transactions and $37.0 billion in sales volume in 2025.
Launch follows affiliations in Port Charlotte and Naples
The new service area builds on earlier Gulf Coast growth, including affiliations with Allison James Estates & Homes in Port Charlotte, Florida, and Premiere Plus Realty in Naples, Florida. It complements United's existing locations in Florida, Louisiana and Texas.