Harney Associates joins Sotheby’s in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE — John Harney Associates has joined William Pitt-Sotheby’s International Realty’s Lakeville office.Caroline Fugere, regional brokerage manager for Sotheby’s, said she was “looking to grow this brokerage with more local talent.”She said Harney’s name kept popping up in her dealings with other agents, and she resolved to get to know him.Fugere said that the Lakeville office, one of six in Litchfield County, had three new agents who were new to both the business and the area.She was looking for “another strong, local connection” with “shared ethics and culture.”Harney said, “We’re thrilled. It’s a nice strategic fit.”Harney’s firm expanded in August, taking over the Kinderhook Group, which will not be included in the move. Harney is the son of Elyse Harney, owner of the eponymous Salisbury real estate agency, and John Harney Sr., founder of the Harney and Sons tea company. The Sotheby’s deal represents a major turnaround for Harney, who a few years ago was in serious financial difficulties.His firm survived “with lots of support from the community,” Harney said, adding that John Harney Associates had sales of $10 million this year.“If we can do that with no marketing …”“Global is the new local,” Fugere said. The buyer for a Salisbury home is not necessarily in Sharon, but in Manhattan, or Park Slope, or even China.Fugere said that with Sotheby’s international reputation and marketing clout, the speed at which desirable properties are sold will likely increase, as will the expectations of clients.“We need an expert team to facilitate that.”For Harney, the move has one sour note — no longer will he enjoy his perch in his current office, overlooking Academy Street, where he can watch the town come and go.“You know this is good if I’m willing to give up the perch,” he said.His new digs will be in the Sotheby’s office at 346 Main St.