Some of the country's biggest real estate agencies are in expansion mode

Some of the country's biggest real estate agencies are in expansion mode.

In a company-making move, the Ray White Group has announced its first foray into the United States with an office in the key city of Atlanta, Georgia – one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Ray White Group chairman Brian White said "this new initiative was a further step in driving this family owned company into broader markets".

The agency said it had been engaged by a number of investor groups within the USA to sell and manage thousands of properties in the world’s largest real estate market.

The team responsible for the opening and development of the new business has and will continue to be driven by prominent Gold Coast real estate industry identities, Andrew and Greg Bell, along with Tony Bargwanna from Ray White Hotels.

Meanwhile, rivals Raine & Horne have bolstered its presence in Queensland, this time adding a new office in Bundaberg.

Heading the Raine & Horne Bundaberg office will be locals Henry Rzeszewski, Debbie Rzeszewski, Brendon and Nicole Mattick, who are also principals of the agency.

Mr Rzeszewski said he and his business partners decided to switch to Raine & Horne after meeting its executive chairman and chief executive Angus Raine, in Bundaberg recently, and believed the direction and values of the 130-year old family owned and operated firm represented a good match for his business.