Brokerage Beat: News from The Agency, RE/MAX, EXIT, eXp, E&V
The Agency drafts former NFL stars, adds to development group; RE/MAX firm acquires large team; EXIT expands in the South; NY team joins eXp; E&V enters Belize.
Editor's note: The brokerage business is a busy one, with frequent moves, mergers and milestones. Here we highlight some of the latest activity among brokerages across the U.S.
Two former NFL players touch down at The Agency Austin
The Agency Austin has announced the addition of two NFL players-turned-agents to its team.
Former UT Austin star and Dallas Cowboys tight end MJ McFarland, and Peyton Thompson, who has had stints with several teams including the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars, have both built careers in real estate in recent years.
McFarland specializes in luxury new construction and developments, with career real estate sales exceeding $100 million. He has also worked with several high-profile clients in the sports and entertainment fields.
Thompson also has experience with luxury development projects and has been an investor and director of sales and client relations.
Outside of real estate, the two former athletes are co-founders of the Players Reach Foundation, which connects retired professional athletes with disadvantaged youth to participate in events that promote team building, education, and life skills.
126-agent SoCal team joins RE/MAX
Southern California's RE/MAX Proper has announced the acquisition of All Nations Realty and Investments, and in turn, the addition of 126 agents and staff to its ranks.
Led by CEO Paul Natividad, COO Jenny Pok and CFO Mike Sanchez, the previously independent brokerage joined RE/MAX in May with roughly 70 agents. The acquisition now brings the team's total agent count to 203.
"We believe the best way to succeed is to grow," CEO Natividad said in the announcement. "We are excited to build on the foundation of All Nations and view this as a symbiotic relationship. We will learn from each other, foster a great culture, and expand our market presence to be able to help more agents and homebuyers and sellers."
In the past 12 months, All Nations closed more than $126 million in sales, the company said. With the addition of the All Nations team, RE/MAX Proper now has two offices in the Southern California market: one in Long Beach and another in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Agency Development Group taps new managing director in Nashville
The Agency Development Group has named Maranda Blanton as the new managing director for its Nashville market.
Blanton will be responsible for helping to grow the firm's new development business in the busy Nashville area. Since relocating to the city in 2019, Blanton has been involved in a pipeline of new construction projects worth $600 million in sales volume, the company said.
"Maranda's unique skill set and unparalleled ability to guide a development from its inception to a successful closeout have set her apart as a visionary in the industry. Her extensive experience and deep connections and respect within the industry make her a natural choice to spearhead our efforts in this region," TADG Managing Partner Mike Leipart said in the announcement.
Prior to relocating to Nashville, Blanton directed marketing and sales efforts for The Agency Development Group's Los Angeles portfolio. She described her new role and Nashville's potential for growth as "a wealth of opportunities."
EXIT Realty looking toward growth in Arkansas and Oklahoma
EXIT Realty has announced an expansion of its footprint in the South as franchisers Kathy and Troy Dooley enter the Arkansas and Oklahoma markets.
The husband and wife team first obtained franchising rights for the Mississippi market 11 years ago and acquired the rights to the Alabama market in 2017.
Prior to their careers in real estate, the Dooleys had tenures with Walmart — Troy worked in multi-unit management while Kathy managed 13 stores. They were both mentored by Walmart founder Sam Walton, EXIT said in the announcement. The Dooleys currently operate in 60 markets across Mississippi and Alabama, but see opportunity in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
"This expansion opens doors for those looking to establish their own real estate brokerage or owners of brokerages wanting to take their business to the next level," Kathy said in the announcement. "With steadfast dedication we are committed to nurturing real estate agents, unlocking their fullest potential through exceptional leadership, guidance and training."
Hudson Valley team moves to eXp
eXp has announced that the 16-agent Virginia Corbett Home Team in New York's Hudson Valley has joined the brokerage.
Corbett and her team come from RE/MAX where they closed 222 deals worth $70 million in sales volume in 2022. In addition to her current roster of agents, Corbett brings five full-time support staff and has five new agents ready to join her team.
Corbett said that she had explored numerous brokerage opportunities over several months, but ultimately chose eXp as she felt that the company "would have the best opportunity for growth and financial stability" for her team.
"As I examined each option, I always went back to the question: 'What is the best option for the team as a whole and for each individual?' When you break it down so simply like that, there really is no other choice besides eXp,'' Corbett said in the announcement.
Engel & Völkers sets up shop in Belize
Luxury-focused Engel & Völkers has expanded into Belize, growing its presence in the Caribbean. The brand already has shops in the Cayman Islands, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas and Eleuthera.
AME Realty, located in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island, will now operate as the rebranded Engel & Völkers San Pedro. The office will be led by two veterans of the upscale Belizean market: license partner Misael Flores, who has been managing director at AME Realty since 206, and business partner Ahmahl Amedu.
"As Belize becomes an increasingly sought after destination for homebuyers coming from the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond, Misael and Ahmahl have both the global experience and local knowledge to introduce the brand to San Pedro and deliver on its promise of personalized luxury and exceptional client service," Anthony Hitt, president and CEO for Engel & Völkers Americas said in the announcement.