Compass expands in Chicago; BHGRE firm nears 400 agents in Omaha 

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.

Compass moves into Chicago's South Side, gains luxury Florida team

Compass has opened its first office on Chicago's South Side with the addition of Town Realty Chicago, a seven-agent firm serving Beverly and Morgan Park and the surrounding areas. 

Now operating under the Compass banner as Town Group, the office is led by founders Meg Mulrenin and Matt McGinnis, whose team closed about $30 million in sales in 2024. Mulrenin has more than a decade of real estate experience and previously built the firm into the largest independent brokerage in the neighborhoods it covers, according to a news release.

"Our priority has always been to serve our clients at the highest level," Mulrenin said. "We know every block, and many of the homes, because this is where we grew up and where we still live."

"Real estate is deeply personal for us," Mulrenin added. "Joining Compass allows us to pair our local knowledge with industry-leading tools, all in service of our clients and community." 

The addition of the South Side location comes four months after Compass sold five of its offices in Chicagoland's North Shore to a REMAX franchise. The selloff was likely related to Compass' previous acquisition of @properties and Christie's International Real Estate, a Chicago market leader with coverage throughout the area. 

Meanwhile, Compass has gained a 78-person team in Boca Raton, CEO Robert Reffkin posted on Instagram earlier this week. The Champagne & Parisi team, led by Claude Champagne and Caesar Parisi, specializes in luxury homes and condominiums with a focus on waterfront properties in South Florida. They are "known for their integrity, local market expertise, and innovative approach to sales and marketing," Reffkin wrote in his post.

Both longtime Boca Raton residents, Champagne and Parisi established the team in 2011 and bring more than 50 years of combined experience in the area, according to their website. 

BHGRE affiliate nabs legacy Omaha-area firm

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Good Life Group has acquired Don Peterson & Associates to expand its footprint and market share across the greater Omaha metro area, the company said in a news release.

The transaction brings together 10 offices and nearly 400 affiliated sales associates across Nebraska and Southwest Iowa. 

Founded in 1956, Don Peterson & Associates operates four offices in communities northwest of Omaha, with services spanning residential real estate, land development, commercial real estate and property management. The brokerage, led by 20-year industry veteran Jennifer Bixby, will now operate as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Don Peterson & Associates.

"As the firm approached its 70th year, it was important to secure the company's legacy for the future," Bixby said. By joining a large franchise with a national brand, she noted, her brokerage would benefit from "a powerful combination of local knowledge and expanded resources" that will "elevate the client experience and help our agents stand out in our super competitive market."

Tom Simmons, broker/owner of BHGRE The Good Life Group, noted that he and Bixby "share a commitment to client service, integrity and professionalism," which he described as "a critical ingredient in our combined success going into 2026 and beyond."

New additions at Michael Saunders & Company 

Southwest Florida's leading independent brokerage is celebrating the addition of a team in Bradenton and the return of a veteran agent in Sarasota.

Michael Saunders & Company, a 650-agent firm serving communities along Florida's Gulf Coast, has added The Castro Group to its roster in Bradenton. Led by Cheri Castro — a 10-year agent and host on "The American Dream" lifestyle TV show — the team will help strengthen the firm's presence in Manatee County, according to a news release. 

Castro said the move represents "an exciting and pivotal time for me," adding, the "processes, systems, marketing, and agent support allow me to elevate and refine the client experience beyond what I could achieve before." 

Further south in Sarasota, former Michael Saunders agent Jaya Brossard has rejoined the firm.

Brossard, who specializes in relocation services, began her decade-long real estate career with the brokerage and has developed "deep expertise spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties" during her time in the industry, the company said. 

Michael Saunders & Company's respected local brand and collaborative culture were among the factors driving Brossard's return to the office where she formed some of her "best memories in real estate." 

"The support, camaraderie, and mentorship helped shape the agent I am today," Brossard said.

Portside welcomes new associate broker

One of northern New England's top firms has added a former mortgage professional to its ranks. 

Portside Real Estate Group, an independent brokerage with more than 200 agents across Maine and New Hampshire, announced the addition of Aaron Rouse as associate broker this week. 

Rouse, who is licensed in both states, began his career in the mortgage business as a loan officer and underwriter. As a real estate agent, he sought a firm with shared values and a community focus — something he found at Portside.

"I wanted to be a part of a group that is committed to helping their communities and improving the lives of everyone they serve," Rouse said in a news release. 

"When I met [Portside Founder Dava Davin], I saw what dedication looks like and realized I found my people."