New teams at eXp, West + Main; C21, Corcoran expand 

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.

Corcoran expands in 2 states, celebrates $2B+ agent's return

The Corcoran Group is celebrating the launch of its first affiliates in New Mexico and Rhode Island. The brand has also announced the return of a top Manhattan broker.

In New Mexico: Led by broker/owner and CEO Rob Thorwald, Corcoran Plaza Properties will serve clients in Santa Fe and in surrounding areas up to the Colorado border. Formerly known as Santa Fe Properties, the brokerage has grown to include over 65 agents since launching in 1986.

Corcoran President and CEO Pamela Liebman said the move is "a strategic milestone for our brand" and demonstrates Corcoran's commitment to growth in high-end markets. "Rob Thorwald and his team embody the depth of local expertise and elevated service that defines Corcoran, making them the perfect stewards of our brand in this exceptional market," Liebman said in a news release.

In Rhode Island: Corcoran Chart House Realty has launched under the leadership of broker/owner Matthew Antonio. Formerly known as Chart House Realtors, the 12-year-old firm will focus on clients in the state's coastal and heritage communities, according to a press release.

Joining Corcoran "allows us to grow without losing what makes our company feel like home to our clients," Antonio said. "Corcoran's marketing power, technology tools, and international presence are the perfect complement to our values." 

NYC agent returns: Corcoran is also celebrating the homecoming of Steven Cohen, a broker with over $2.45 billion in career sales who spent the past five years at Douglas Elliman. Cohen and his nine-member team, who will be based out of Corcoran's East Side office, bring $110 million in active listings.

In a news release, Cohen said he is "proud to be back at Corcoran — where it all started, and where the best is still to come."

"My years at Elliman have been a period of tremendous professional growth, and I look forward to the future," he added.

San Bernardino County firm affiliates with C21

Century 21 Real Estate has strengthened its SoCal presence with the affiliation of Excellence Real Estate HD in Victorville, now operating as Century 21 Leaders. The move extends the brand's reach in San Bernardino County's High Desert region.

The family-run brokerage, founded a decade ago by broker/owner Noel A. Sena Sr., has grown to more than 100 agents and handles a range of property types across southern California. Sena, a third-generation real estate professional, continues a family legacy that includes his grandmother, mother, wife and now his son, who plays a key role in the firm's operations.

Though Sena said the move to Century 21 was "a major decision," he expressed confidence that "our affiliated agents will finally have the tools to help them elevate their sales, close more deals and reach new levels of success." He was also attracted by the brand's ability to support succession planning in anticipation of his son's future leadership.

"Real estate is my calling," Sena said in the announcement. "Now with the support of the Century 21 brand, I hope to continue to grow our business, both through organic recruiting efforts and through strategic M&As."

West + Main Homes adds 28-agent team

The Denver-based NextHome Front Range, a team that closed over $100 million in sales in the past year, has joined West + Main Homes. The 28-agent team will now do business as Front Range Collective.

The alignment strengthens West + Main's presence in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs while providing Front Range Collective's agents with expanded resources, new marketing tools and upgraded office space. Front Range Collective initiated the merger to enhance growth opportunities and align with West + Main's locally-owned brand and community-focused culture, according to a news release.

"While larger brokerages continue to consolidate, we saw the opportunity to grow in a way that keeps us true to our values," said Chris Pranger, team leader at Front Range Collective. The move gives "our agents and clients the hands-on guidance we've built, along with the offices, marketing tools and community presence that distinguish West + Main," he added.

eXp gains $1B New England team

The Denman Group, a Massachusetts-based team that has amassed over $1 billion in sales volume, has joined eXp. The group was previously Compass' top team in New England, according to a news release.

Founder Todd Denman leads The Denman Group with a "treat people right, and success will follow" philosophy. The strategy has resulted in repeat customers and referrals fueling 3 in 4 of the team's transactions.

Denman said his group has "outgrown the traditional brokerage model" and that eXp "puts us shoulder to shoulder with the best leaders and teams in the business." By joining eXp, his team is gaining "the tools to serve our clients at the highest level while building wealth and legacy for our agents."

Through its deep market expertise and strong reputation for delivering personalized service, The Denman Group represents "exactly the type of leadership and culture that continues to choose eXp," said Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty.

Family-owned firm joins ERA Real Estate

Porter Realty, Inc., a brokerage that has operated out of Alamosa, Colorado, since 1991, has now joined the ERA Real Estate network.

Now operating as Porter Realty ERA Powered, the firm is led by Preston Porter, the son of founders Mike and Mary Ann Porter. It will continue to serve clients in Colorado's San Luis Valley and in Phoenix, Arizona.

Preston Porter embraced a leadership role in his family's business in 2008 and attained full ownership of the firm eight years later. Through ERA's Powered model, Porter Realty will retain its local identity while gaining growth opportunities through ERA's technology and marketing tools, he said in a news release. 

With this move, Preston Porter said he aspires to "combine my passion for serving my hometown with my background in tech and the brand's world-class services to deliver even better service to agents and clients."

"We are excited to break new ground, and for what's to come as part of the ERA network," he added.

Chicago indie nabs North Shore pro

Broker Peter Cummins has joined Baird & Warner, Chicagoland's largest independent brokerage, after 16 years with @properties. As team leader for Cummins Advisors, Cummins will help strengthen the firm's presence in the upscale North Shore suburbs.

With over 20 years of experience and $500 million in career sales, Cummins is known for his client advocacy and market expertise. In a news release, Cummins said his opposition to private listings aligns with Baird & Warner in its support for the Clear Cooperation Policy and push for transparency in the industry.

"Joining Baird & Warner allows me to align with a firm that is growing, innovating and standing up to protect the integrity of the marketplace," Cummins said. "I'm drawn to a company where local leadership is reinvesting in the business they've built to serve our communities, clients and consumers with excellence."

David Bailey, senior vice president and general sales manager at Baird & Warner, praised Cummins as a "highly respected figure in the industry," adding that his "experience and perspective will be invaluable" as the firm expands.

"He's passionate about doing what's right for clients, for agents and for the market as a whole," Bailey said.

More brokerage news

ERA Real Estate has added a Spanish-language component to its ERA Coached Up Program, expanding access to professional development for Hispanic agents and communities. ERA President Alex Vidal will provide coaching in Spanish as part of the initiative, which is available for free for ERA-affiliated agents. "By offering coaching in Spanish, we're not just helping agents grow their business; we're helping Hispanic families access the wealth-building power of homeownership," Vidal said in a news release.

Coldwell Banker Realty has welcomed luxury-focused agent Myles Lewis to its office in Austin, Texas. Lewis, who also serves clients in the Los Angeles/Beverly Hills region, boasts over $100 million in career sales and is eyeing further expansion in the Lone Star state's luxury markets. In a news release, Lewis described Coldwell Banker's luxury marketing platform as "truly spectacular," adding that it "aligns perfectly with the level of service my clients expect."

Douglas Elliman announced that veteran agent Lisa Napolitano has joined its office in Sarasota, Florida, after spending nine years with Premier Sotheby's International Realty. With a focus on the upscale Casey Key barrier island community, Napolitano has an annual sales volume of $27 million to $30 million, according to a news release. She described Douglas Elliman as "the missing piece" to her career journey: "The company's vision, culture, and resources align seamlessly with my own values and aspirations, making this transition both exciting and deeply meaningful."

Douglas Elliman also announced the launch of its national Estate, Trust & Probate Division. Previously known as the Master Trust & Probate Division, the 25-member team will focus on guiding institutional sellers, legal professionals and families through trust, conservatorship and probate transactions, a news release said.

Christie's International Real Estate has expanded its presence in Italy with the addition of Talamona Real Estate. The brand's newest affiliate will serve clients in the Piedmont and Liguria regions, which include Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, the Cinque Terre and Lake Maggiore. Led by Theodor Talamona, the team brings "a deep understanding of the luxury property landscape and a focus on high-touch service," said Helena Moyas de Forton, managing director, EMEA and APAC for CIRE.