3 Real teams unite; Florida indie nabs top agent for new office 

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.

3 Real teams form blockbuster group

Three Real Brokerage teams in Ontario have united to create the firm's biggest team in Canada. The new team, dubbed the Benson Crew, brings together 60 agents from the Scott Benson Team, The Crew Real Estate and the Zahnd Team.

Together, the three teams have achieved over $6 billion in lifetime sales, averaging a home sale every seven hours, according to a press release. As the Benson Crew, they have become Ontario's top Real team when measured by production.

"Our aim has always been to go above and beyond, both for our agents and our clients," Benson Crew Co-founder Scott Benson said. "This next chapter is about working smarter, supporting each other better and building a structure that empowers agents to grow careers while delivering exceptional client service."

Looking ahead, the Benson Crew aims to continue growing with a focus on supporting the next generation of agents. They have already brought new agent coaching and client-focused marketing strategies to the table by joining forces.

"Benson Crew exemplifies the power of collaboration that Real was built on," Real Chairman and CEO Tamir Poleg said. "They are proof that when the right leaders come together with the right culture and the right platform extraordinary things happen."

Florida indie snags $110M agent

Jennifer Thayer, an agent with over 20 years of experience in Florida real estate, is joining Michael Saunders & Company as the independent firm opens its first office in St. Petersburg. Thayer most recently led a small group at Keller Williams and is bringing five of those teammates with her.

Thayer began working in the Sunshine State in 2005, closing $30 million in sales during her first six months on the job, and more recently, bringing in $110 million in sales annually, according to a press release. Her success has placed her in the top 1% of agents in the state, but Thayer believes there are still untapped opportunities for growth.

Moving to the independent brokerage "is opening up a world of tools that I don't have access to currently that will elevate my brand," she said. "Now, I have the resources, the support, the luxury connections and the referral network like nothing that I've had before."

The addition will give Michael Saunders & Company a boost in realizing its "mission and vision" for expanding into St. Petersburg, the brokerage noted in the release.

"Her reputation, enduring relationships and results-driven mindset are key to providing the level of service that defines us," President Drayton Saunders said.

Colorado brokerage doubles down on luxury with new merger

Denver-based LUX Real Estate Company ERA Powered has teamed up with Vail Real Estate Center, a 12-year-old independent firm focused on Vail's luxury market. As a popular ski and resort destination, the area attracts top-dollar buyers seeking both second homes and primary residences.

Gil Fancher and Ted Steers, Vail Real Estate Center's local founders, will stay on as Fancher steps into a supervisor role. Fancher and Steers had thought about merging with another company for a couple of years, Fancher noted in a news release, and are "excited about the greater resources and reach LUX provides."

"This partnership allows us to give our agents even more tools to succeed and our clients even more opportunities," he said.

LUX Founder and Managing Broker Emily Duke, who affiliated with ERA Real Estate in early 2024, described her company's expansion into Vail as "a quintessential example of what LUX brings to our clients."

"A home where you can watch the slopes from your living room, enjoy it at your leisure, and generate income when you're away. That balance of lifestyle and investment is exactly why Vail is such a coveted market — and why we're here," she said.