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Keller Williams Expands into Aruba, the Dominican Republic, and Peru

Austin, TX | September 2, 2020

Real estate franchise now operates in 50 regions globally

AUSTIN, TEXAS September 2, 2020 — Keller Williams (KW), the world’s largest real estate technology franchise by agent count, is expanding across the Caribbean and South America. As momentum continues, KW has awarded new master licenses in Aruba, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. 

With the latest master license additions, the franchise now operates across 50 global regions.

“The continued rapid growth of Keller Williams across the globe is fulfilling a dream that started with Gary Keller more than 30 years ago,” said William E. Soteroff, president of Keller Williams Worldwide (KWW), the international division of Keller Williams.

“Our proprietary systems and models, training and technology are the powerful combination that is attracting the best leaders in each country we seek to further build and embody our strong culture,” said Soteroff. 

As of July 30, KWW had 240 market centers (outside of the United States and Canada). KWW has 10,915 agents collectively operating outside the U.S. and Canada, up 34.1% since July 30, 2019.

In Q3 ‘20, Entrepreneur Magazine also ranked Keller Williams a 2020 Top Global Franchise. Based on international size and growth, the franchise was ranked No. 22 out of the top 200 multinationals listed. 

Aruba

Led by Regional Operating Principal Edwin Hekman, the KW franchise in Aruba expects to open its first market center on October 1. 

Drawing from a more than 23-year career spanning leadership roles with the military and police, Hekman has since served a vast network of home buyers and sellers across Aruba, becoming a respected real estate leader in the country. He is also an Aruban citizen.

“With Keller Williams’ models and systems, our agents will be the most educated, productive and motivated,” said Hekman. “They will be equipped with the best training and coaching tools. And, our vision is to be the best real estate company in Aruba.” 

Dominican Republic

Led by Regional Operating Principal Cheryl Henderson, the KW master franchise in the Dominican Republic is currently launching operations and rebranding seven real estate offices. More than 150 real estate professionals are expected to become a part of KW Dominican Republic. 

“We are staged and ready to lead a real estate revolution in the Dominican Republic, bringing in leading global best practices, models and systems,” said Henderson, an influential entrepreneur and leader with more than 20 years in the real estate industry. 

“With Keller Williams, we will make an immense positive and historical impact on the real estate sector in this country,” said Henderson. 

Peru

Led by Regional Operating Principal Daniel Valencia Kouri, the Keller Williams franchise in Peru is also currently initializing operations. In early 2021, KW Peru is expected to open its first market center. 

A real estate developer and portfolio adviser in Peru since 2008, Valencia is also the founding partner of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Peru, and serves as an advisory committee member supporting the dean of entrepreneurship at the Lima, Peru-based Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola.   

“We were attracted to Keller WIlliams for its culture and agent-centric business model,” said Valencia. “We share the perspective of being an education- and technology-based firm focused on helping agents grow their businesses and having lives worth living.” 

Worldwide Expansion

KWW is currently exploring further expansion opportunities across Africa, Central and South America, Central and Eastern Europe, and throughout Asia.

“While no one predicted the challenges of 2020, our international operations are thriving and we’re growing more this year than ever,” said Soteroff. “And, that’s due to a steadfast commitment to our values and principles and to providing the industry’s best agent training.”

“We’re thankful for our leaders that have contributed to this growth and are confident in our future expansion,” said Soteroff.

Core criteria for new licensees starts with having a qualified leadership team grounded in the Keller Williams culture; the company also strives for government, banking, and judicial system stability and a higher maturity level for a real estate market.

Outside of the U.S. and Canada, KWW’s regions include: Argentina; Aruba; Belgium; Belize; Bermuda; Cambodia; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Czech Republic; Dominican Republic; Dubai, UAE; France; Greater Shanghai, China; Greece; Honduras; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Mexico; Monaco; Morocco; Nicaragua; Northern Cyprus; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Romania; Serbia; Slovenia; Southern Africa; Southern Cyprus; Spain; Thailand; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; Turks and Caicos; United Kingdom; and Vietnam. 

About Keller Williams

Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams, the world’s largest real estate technology franchise by agent count, has more than 1,060 offices and 184,000 associates. The franchise is also No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States.

In 2015, KW began its evolution into a technology company, now building the real estate platform that agents’ buyers and sellers prefer.

Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven and education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. For more information, visit kw.com.

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