Howard Hanna Enters Philadelphia Market, Partners With Art Herling Team

Despite being a Pennsylvania-based firm, it was not until Wednesday that Howard Hanna Real Estate Services had a presence in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The expansion comes via a partnership with Art Herling. 

“Pennsylvania is a large state and over our 70-year history we’ve spread throughout the western part of the state and into central Pennsylvania, but we had never entered Philly,” Howard “Hoby” Hanna IV, the firm’s CEO, said. “I have always wanted to be there. It is a big East Coast city and historically they have had some great independently owned and operated brokerages. Growing up in the state and in the industry we have known so many of those leaders and have so many friends in the city, but the timing was never right.”

However, the timing with Herling and his team has worked out perfectly.

Herling, a former public school teacher, comes to Howard Hanna with 45 years of experience in the real estate industry. Herling and his team of 139 active licensed agents, according to RealTrends Verified data, were previously brokered by Long & Foster Real Estate. 

The Art Herling Team closed 536.1 transaction sides for a total sales volume of $289.71 million in 2024, according to RealTrends Verified data. The team ranked No. 2 in the state for sides and sales volume among other mega-teams in the 2025 RealTrends Verified Rankings.

“This partnership felt right because it’s about people and values,” Herling said in a statement. “Howard Hanna understands family — both in life and in real estate. This alignment allows our agents to continue doing what they do best while gaining long-term support from a company that shares our commitment to service, independence and growth.”

According to the release, the expansion brings more than 100 agents from four different offices across the Philadelphia metro area, who serve clients in both downtown and in Montgomery and Buck Counties to Howard Hanna.

“We have been talking to Herling for quite some time and this gives up the opportunity to open in the city with multiple offices and not only bring our brand, but out consumer focused mortgage, title and insurance operations to consumers in Philadelphia as well,” Hanna said. “We are really excited about our growth across the state.”

Over the past few years, Howard Hanna has expanded its footprint across the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and East Coast, including launching in New York City through its acquisition of Manhattan-based Elegran Real Estate in October of 2025. 

Looking ahead, as the brokerage continues to grow nationwide, Hanna said he and his team are keeping a keen eye on strategic growth opportunities.

“We’re excited because we have some real momentum right now,” Hanna said. “We have a lot of irons in the fire, but we also have some agents from other brokerage firms looking to join us because they are looking for a company that is more hands on and personable and brings that independent spirit to the table.”

Hanna Holdings, the parent company of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, recorded 92,154 transaction sides for a total sales volume of $33.74 billion in 2024, according to the RealTrends Verified Rankings. The firm ranked No. 5 in the nation for transaction side count and No. 7 for sales volume in the 2025 RealTrends Verified Rankings.