Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC recently announced it welcomed eight new firms worldwide in the first quarter of 2012, and its affiliated companies in the United States experienced a 21 percent year-over-year increase in transactions.

The brand welcomed the following residential real estate brokerage companies to its network in the first quarter of 2012: Milan Sotheby’s International Realty, Taiwan Sotheby’s International Realty, Barcelona Sotheby’s International Realty, Williams Trew Sotheby’s International Realty in Ft. Worth, Texas, Hudson Homes Sotheby’s International Realty in Tarrytown, N.Y., and San Miguel Sotheby’s International Realty in San Miguel, Mexico.

In addition, two of its affiliate companies grew through mergers. Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty in Princeton, N.J., merged with N.T. Callaway Real Estate, LLC to create Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty with its headquarters in Princeton. Likewise, Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty in Aspen and Carbondale, Colo., combined with Chaffin Light Real Estate in Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt, and is now operating as Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty.

“The first quarter of this year has seen significant growth for the Sotheby’s International Realty brand, as we continue to expand our footprint in quality markets around the globe including the Americas, Europe and Asia,” says Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “Our affiliates that have furthered their growth through mergers and acquisitions have increased their market share and local presence, positioning themselves as even stronger market leaders who are able to offer their customers an even greater level of service and efficiencies in meeting their real estate needs.”

In the first quarter of 2012 the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand was honored by Franchise Business Review with its Best in Category award for Real Estate Franchisee Satisfaction for the fifth year in a row. In addition to its real estate ranking, the brand also came in second among the Top 50 Large Franchise Systems, which is an overall ranking across all business categories including all systems with more than 200 office locations.

Growth in Asia continues to be a top priority for the brand, which in February announced plans to expand its management team there as part of an initiative to further develop the company’s network of real estate affiliates in the Asia-Pacific region. Those executives will be responsible for accelerating the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s development throughout Asia and for supporting its network of affiliates.

For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com .