"J.D.'s success as the manager of our Brooklyn office and his achievements as an investment specialist make him an invaluable resource to our clients and agents in New York City and in Connecticut," saysHarvey E. Green, president and CEO of Marcus & Millichap, in a release. Parker tells GlobeSt.com he's looking forward to running the three offices, particularly as more of the firm's national business comes through Manhattan.

Whether that business occurs in Manhattan, Brooklyn or New Haven, though, volume is up lately, Parker says. "The market seems to be perking up and buyers are becoming more active," he says. "Sellers who have been waiting on the sidelines are venturing into the marketplace to test the waters."

Parker says this uptick has been especially pronounced over the past 90 to 120 days. "We've listed more properties in the region in the past four months than at any time in the previous two years," he says. "We're signing more contracts and doing more closings. All across the region, business is picking up."