eXp, Real nab teams in the Northwest; BHGRE notches big renewal 

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.

Established Pacific Northwest team joins eXp

The Nick Shivers Team has joined eXp Realty, expanding the brokerage's footprint in Oregon and Washington.

Led by Nick Shivers, the 17-agent team reported more than $178 million in 2025 sales volume, with listings comprising 75% of its production. The family-run team includes partners Keegan Shivers and Kaiya Shivers — who also serves as the head of marketing — with CFO Troy Thurman and COO Melodie Thurman providing strong operational leadership, according to a news release.

Following a two-decade affiliation with Keller Williams, the team said aligning with eXp would better support its strategic focus: scaling innovation, providing more opportunities for its agents and leveraging a model designed for high-performing teams. 

The team was also attracted by eXp's approach to marketing. "Real estate consumption has changed — how clients search, connect, and build trust is digital-first," said Keegan Shivers, who has garnered more than 330,000 social media followers over the past year. 

"We needed a partner that supports creativity and modern business building without boundaries. eXp is built for exactly that kind of agility," he added.

The Nick Shivers Team specializes in listings and also supports luxury, commercial, multifamily and buyer transactions across the region. 

McConnell Group joins Real in Seattle

Another Pacific Northwest team announced a big move this week: The 34-agent McConnell Group, led by Sean and Nicolette McConnell, has left Compass to join The Real Brokerage in Seattle. 

Founded in 2017 by the husband-and-wife duo, the team — which formerly operated as the NK Team — has averaged more than $230 million in annual home sales over the past eight years, totaling about 1,700 transactions valued at approximately $1.4 billion, according to a news release.

"Choosing a brokerage is a consequential decision, especially for a mega team that has worked hard to build a trusted reputation and a business designed to last," said Sean McConnell. 

"We were intentional about finding a platform that would allow us to continue growing while maintaining ownership of our brand, our culture and our long-term vision," he added, citing Real's technology and support structure as other factors in the decision.

"Sean, Nicolette and the entire McConnell Group have built an exceptional organization rooted in systems, collaboration and agent development," Real CEO and Chairman Tamir Poleg said in the announcement.

400-agent firm commits to BHGRE for another decade

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Paracle has renewed its franchise agreement with the BHGRE brand for 10 years, extending an affiliation that has supported the brokerage's growth across North and South Carolina, the company said in a news release.

Led by Co-owners Tony Hanson and Lucas Mudrey, Paracle joined the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network in 2018 with 32 agents. The firm has since expanded to more than 400 agents in five offices spanning the two states. 

"Our affiliation with one of the most trusted consumer brands has helped us exponentially grow our hybrid brokerage model — combining company-subsidized lead generation coupled with the strength of a traditional brokerage platform," Mudrey said. The renewal commitment "is a powerful affirmation of the relationship we've built and the momentum we've created together."

The brokerage's success, added BHGRE President Ginger Wilcox, demonstrates "what's possible when ambitious operators align with the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand."

Paracle said it plans to continue expanding its footprint and agent network over the next decade.

REMAX Advantage moves into Denver

Nashville-based The Ashton Real Estate Group of REMAX Advantage has welcomed The Sandoval Team, a Denver-based six-agent team formerly affiliated with Compass. The move expands REMAX Advantage's national footprint and marks its entry into the Denver market.

Led by founders Michael and Ashley Sandoval, The Sandoval Team reported nearly $50 million in sales last year. The husband-and-wife-led team operates throughout metro Denver and focuses on a scalable team model — one that prioritizes agent development and lead conversion systems, according to a news release.

The Sandovals "are exactly the kind of leaders we want to grow with," said Debra Beagle, CEO, broker and co-owner of The Ashton Real Estate Group of REMAX Advantage. "They are thoughtful, disciplined and committed to building people as much as they are to production."

Michael Sandoval said his team was drawn to REMAX Advantage's "leadership, systems and support," which make the firm "the right choice for our next phase of growth."

"From the moment we met the leadership team at REMAX Advantage, it was clear our goals aligned," he added.

More brokerage news

Baird & Warner is welcoming Steve Jasinski back into the fold. Jasinski, who spent the past five years at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, is bringing The Jasinski Home Team — a group of two staff members and three agents — with him as they focus on clients in Chicago's west suburbs and the wider Chicagoland area. In a news release, Jasinski credited Baird & Warner's June 2025 merger with Dream Town with inspiring his return to the independent firm.

The Agency has opened a new office in Lake Oswego, its third in Oregon. Managing Partner Dirk Hmura and Managing Broker Andrew Misk will add Lake Oswego to the list of offices they oversee, which includes locations in nearby Portland as well as Vancouver, Washington. The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky described Lake Oswego as "a natural choice" for the firm's expansion, adding that the area offers a "unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant community, and exceptional lakefront lifestyle."

Portside Real Estate Group has added Joey Giordano to its office in New Hampshire's Seacoast Region. Giordano, an agent with over a decade of real estate experience, specializes in new construction and residential development. In a news release, he praised Portside's "commitment to collaboration, integrity, and giving back to the community," values that align with his own. The move comes just days after Portside announced the addition of an associate broker in Maine.

Editor's note: AI was used in the initial drafting of this content, which was then thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked and revised by a Real Estate News editor.