A local homebuilder has started a realty group and become affiliated with an independent real estate firm.

Horizon Realty Group is a new brand formed from Hackney & Co., a general real estate brokerage and appraisal firm founded in 1990 by Robin Hackney, according to a news release. Robin Hackney worked as a North Carolina-certified residential appraiser in the Cape Fear region for more than 30 years before changing her focus to concentrate on Horizon Homes of Wilmington, a custom homebuilder, with her husband, Deans Hackney Jr., the release stated.

In 2024, Robin and Deans Hackney Jr. were inducted into the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders’ Hall of Fame.

Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate recently partnered with Horizon Realty Group on the opening of its Oleander Drive affiliate office in Wilmington.

The Howard Hanna Allen Tate Wilmington-Oleander Drive/Horizon Realty Group office, 5710 Oleander Drive, Suite 208, serves homebuyers and sellers in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Duplin and Columbus counties and surrounding communities in the Cape Fear region, according to the release.

Robin Hackney said the Hackneys chose to affiliate with Howard Hanna Allen Tate “because of their strong family focus. We’re excited to be part of the largest independent, family-owned and operated real estate firm in the country. This relationship will further strengthen Horizon Realty Group and support our shared values: personal service, market expertise and strong ties to the community.”

Robin Hackney will serve as branch leader and broker in charge of Horizon Realty Group. A Raleigh native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and marketing from UNC Chapel Hill, according to the release. She is a member of Cape Fear Realtors and the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association, and she served as the first woman chair of the 2017 Parade of Homes, according to the release.

Robin Hackney is also certified as a Green Building Professional and built the first NAHB Green Certified Home in North Carolina, according to the release. She has also served on the NC Governor’s Clean Water Management Trust and has built homes with Habitat for Humanity.

The Hackneys have lived in Wilmington since 1988, and they have two sons, Deans III and Clay.

Deans Hackney III, co-owner of Horizon Realty Group, "brings his expertise in land brokerage and development across eastern North Carolina and the Triangle region," the release stated.

Deans Hackney III holds a bachelor's degree in global studies with a concentration in global economics, trade and development and a minor in commercial entrepreneurship from UNC Chapel Hill, according to the release.

He also holds the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation from the Realtors Land Institute, the release stated. He is a member of the Realtors Land Institute, Cape Fear Realtors, the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association and the Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE). He has also served on alumni advisory committees for UNC Chapel Hill and Cape Fear Academy.

Deans III and his wife, Ginny, reside in Wilmington.

Agents Christian Palmer and Grayson Palmer will also work as part of the Howard Hanna Allen Tate team in the Horizon Realty Group office.

“Horizon Realty Group will be an outstanding partner for Howard Hanna Allen Tate, and our buyers and sellers will benefit from their expertise,” said Matt Good, regional vice president, Triangle and Coastal regions, Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate, in the release.

Gary Scott, president, Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate and Howard Hanna Southeast, stated in the release, "Robin and Deans III have distinguished themselves as exceptional, committed professionals with a deep knowledge of real estate, homebuilding and land development."

Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate has more than 80 offices and 1,800 agents serving communities across North and South Carolina and Georgia.