Almost a year ago, a subtle change took place on Central Street in Manchester. Molisse Realty Group, a familiar name in local real estate, began operating under a new set of signs with the name “William Raveis Real Estate.”
Unlike other acquisitions, there were no grand announcements or celebrations. It was a quiet change. By design.
William Raveis Real Estate (pronounced “RAVE-is”), a family-founded and family-run firm, has been a prominent player in the real estate industry for nearly 50 years, but it’s remained under the radar on Cape Ann. Not elsewhere. Originating from Fairfield, Connecticut, the company operates across nine states, including Massachusetts, and continues to be led by its founder, William Raveis himself, and his two sons.
As Cape Ann’s real estate star rose, Molisse began receiving offers to sell his business. Despite tempting bids from larger, global firms with big resources, he held out, seeking a partner with the right cultural fit and values he had established. When he met with William Raveis and his sons in 2023, he found the perfect match. By the end of that year, the sale was finalized.
Brian Molisse’s decision to partner with William Raveis was driven by more than just financial considerations. The family-run nature of the firm, along with its integrated services, made it an attractive choice.
"Brian had opportunities, but it never felt like the right fit," said Margaret. "This one did, and it shows. We’re still here, and we’re still focused on serving our community."
Despite the change in ownership, familiar faces at the Manchester office remain. Agents like Margaret Maher Sheehan and Jessica Tully, who were there from the beginning of Molisse, made the jump to William Raveis. There’s also Vicki Lauber and Shelley Delaney, both longtime local agents. And there are new faces such as Kelly Schmidt from Wenham, and Camille Nagle Murphy of Magnolia, who moved to Cape Ann from Boston’s western suburbs during Covid, who add to the blend of experience and fresh perspectives.
"We wanted to ensure that our agents and clients would be in good hands,” said Jessica Tully. “With William Raveis, we have the resources of a larger firm without losing the personal touch that’s so important in real estate."
For Margaret, who has been with the Manchester office since its inception, William Raveis represents an opportunity to grow while maintaining the local feel that clients have come to trust. And for agents like Camille Nagle Murphy, who relocated to Cape Ann during the COVID-19 pandemic, joining William Raveis felt like a natural progression. She worked with the firm’s Lexington office before moving to Cape Ann and jumped at the chance to reconnect with a company she respected.
"Real estate is about helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives," said Murphy. "Here, I can do that in a way that feels supportive and client focused."
For everyone, the operating ethos of their new owner is familiar. But there are marked differences as well that are welcome.
For instance, William Raveis regional managers, like Deb Payson who oversees the company’s Marblehead, Reading, and Manchester locations, are prohibited from selling real estate. This policy removed internal competition, said Payson, and fosters a collaborative environment.
"It’s a smart approach. We focus on supporting our agents and ensuring they have the tools they need," said Payson. "It’s a unique setup, and it works well because it allows our team to focus on what matters most: serving clients."
And because of its history and deep pockets, the company is able to offer expansive services that complement real estate sales, like offering mortgages, or insurance products that make transactions smoother. There’s also its affiliation with Luxury Portfolio International, which allows William Raveis clients to tap a network of more than 200 luxury brokerages global exposure, particularly for high-end properties.
Margaret Mayer Sheehan notes that the rental market remains tight, with high demand and limited supply. This trend has given her insights into broader market movements. "From the rental market, I get a sense of when people are moving, downsizing, or just transitioning in general," she explained. "That knowledge helps me understand what’s going on in the sales market."
While the day-to-day operations may not have changed significantly for locals, the partnership with William Raveis brings new opportunities. A big area lies in the firm's technological tools, and that’s something Molisse couldn’t replicate. The Raveis “Purchase App,” for instance, allows clients to manage real estate, mortgage, and insurance needs if they’re needed, in one place. It’s a tech-savvy approach that would have been out of reach for a small, independent brokerage.
The transition from Molisse Realty to William Raveis Real Estate reflects a broader trend in the real estate industry, where local expertise meets the resources of a larger network. For Cape Ann residents, it means more options, more services, and the same familiar faces guiding them through buying or selling their homes.
As William Raveis celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company’s expansion into markets like Cape Ann signifies its commitment to growth while staying true to its business roots. For Brian Molisse and his team, it’s the start of a new chapter, one that promises continued success and community engagement.
To add a kicker to the story of one company purchasing another, there’s the fact that Brian Molisse was asked by the Raveis family to remain, not as a consultant assuring a smooth transition, but as a permanent regional manager overseeing two of his former offices on Boston’s South Shore as well as a third location, William Raveis in Hingham. That’s highly unusual in acquisitions where former owners step away, and it speaks to the mutual alignment of goals between the two companies.
Maybe that’s why, in an industry where change can be marked by disruption, the transition from Molisse Realty to William Raveis has been decidedly smooth. Different, and yet for locals, pretty familiar. And that’s a good thing.
