Brokerage Beat: News from Compass, eXp, The Agency, more 

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.

Veteran NYC agent joins Compass

Compass announced this week that top-producing New York City agent Patty LaRocco and her team have joined the firm.

With over $3 billion in closed sales and a client list that includes celebrities and financiers, LaRocco has worked in neighborhoods throughout the city — including the Upper West Side, Park Slope and TriBeCa — and has become known as "a trusted broker for discerning buyers," Compass said in a press release.

LaRocco, who previously worked at Douglas Elliman, said she "felt it was time for a new chapter."

"I'm excited to connect with a fresh network of friends and support moving forward," she said.

Compass Tri-State Regional Vice President Gordon Golub praised LaRocco's "city-wide business experience and distinctive approach to business," which he said will enable her team to grow further with the company. Compass' three-phased marketing strategy and other initiatives will help LaRocco "provide her clients with more options, all while tapping further into the Compass network," Golub added.

FirstTeam expands into 2 new states

FirstTeam Real Estate began moving forward with national expansion plans this week by officially launching in Idaho and Washington. The Southern California-based company, which has over 46 offices and supports more than 2,200 sales agents, also plans to enter Arizona, Nevada and Oregon in the near future.

The expansion "allows us to deliver on our promise of building meaningful careers for more agents and teams across the country," FirstTeam Vice President of Business Development Anna Bennett said in a news release.

FirstTeam CEO Michele Harrington attributed the company's growth to its agent-first approach and "Behind the Agent" philosophy, which emphasizes coaching, tailored business strategies and technology. The company's ownership model also offers agents a pathway to become business owners by building value beyond commission income.

"On the heels of a banner year that included $1B in recruited volume among agents and teams, we are excited to expand our footprint and introduce more agents to the exclusive, game-changing benefits that come with joining FirstTeam," Harrington said.

C21 gains new Chicago affiliate

Century 21 Real Estate has bolstered its presence in the Chicago market with the affiliation of Dior Real Estate Group. The firm, which now operates as Century 21 Impact, is a multi-office, African American-owned and female-led brokerage founded by Tuwanna Dennis in 2014.

Dennis brings over two decades of experience, including as a mortgage processor and licensed broker. Her territory has spanned the Chicagoland area, including the city's suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Moving forward, she plans to accelerate agent recruitment and pursue acquisitions in Chicago's southern suburbs within six months.

In a press release, Dennis described C21 as a "modern, forward-thinking powerhouse designed for today's real estate industry," adding that her affiliation with the company will allow her to scale up her brokerage business in the region.

"What truly stood out to me was the freedom to build my own culture, while having the backing of a globally recognized name," Dennis said. "After running a small brokerage for years, I now have an unparalleled support system that can help elevate my presence and my business goals in the real estate world."

More brokerage news

eXp Realty has launched operations in Turkey, marking its 26th international market and second global expansion in under a month following its recent move into Peru. Led by Yigit Portakal, the expansion brings eXp's cloud-based, agent-centric model to a growing real estate market positioned between Europe and Asia, aligning with the brokerage's mission to empower real estate professionals worldwide. 

The Agency has opened a new office in Vancouver, Washington, its eighth Pacific Northwest location. Led by Managing Partner Dirk Hmura and Designated Broker Andrew Misk — who together oversaw The Agency's Portland expansion in 2023 — the upscale luxury-focused brokerage sees the new office as a strategic opportunity to capitalize on the city's rapid growth, strong job market and proximity to Portland.

Engel & Völkers has expanded its North American footprint with the opening of a new office in Richmond, Virginia. Led by experienced license partners Rick Foster, Phil Di Ruggiero, Travis Gray, Tom Spier, and managing broker Chris Herron, the office marks a strategic move into a growing luxury market while strengthening the brand's Mid-Atlantic presence.

Douglas Elliman announced the return of veteran real estate executive Nikol Solares, who has rejoined the company as executive vice president of sales and strategy after a brief tenure at Compass. With expertise and leadership in the South Florida luxury market, Solares has overseen high-profile projects in the area, including the Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach and The Edition Residences.

Coldwell Banker Realty has welcomed top-producing agent Michele Isenberg to its office in Danbury, Connecticut. Isenberg led the market in 2024 with nearly $28 million in sales volume, according to SmartMLS. With her specialization in upscale home sales and expertise in the Connecticut and New York markets, Isenberg will serve as a global luxury property specialist.