Large teams jump to Real, ERA; BHGRE picks up family firm 

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.

$25M duo joins BHHS Chicago

The Vogel Group has joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago's Evanston office.

With nearly $25 million in residential sales volume in 2025, the firm serves clients from Chicago's North Side to the North Shore under the leadership of Karl Vogel, who founded the group in 2009. Team member Kevin Blair is joining Vogel in the move following their previous affiliation with @properties.

Vogel specializes in vintage and historic properties in neighborhoods such as Andersonville and Evanston, where he serves on the Landmark Preservation Committee. His background includes condo conversions, property renovations and investment ownership, while Blair brings 13 years of experience working with first-time buyers, repeat clients and investors.

"Brokers who perform at such a high level require exceptional support from their brokerage, management team and support staff — all things BHHS Chicago does very well," Jill Egan, managing broker of the firm's North Region offices, said in a press release.

Karl Vogel cited the firm's collaborative culture and marketing resources as key drivers behind the move.

Family-led firm affiliates with BHGRE

Exclusive Properties Realty, LLC and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate have cozied up under a new deal, with a new name: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Exclusive Properties.

Exclusive Properties, a nearly 20-year-old brokerage led by Monis and Edan Young, serves New Jersey's Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties. The firm focuses on residential sales, luxury homes, new construction and development transactions, according to a news release.

Monis Young, a former civil engineer and custom home builder with more than 30 years of experience in New Jersey real estate, previously owned six franchise offices with at least 250 agents. The father-son team said the new affiliation positions their firm for growth through selective recruiting, agent development and expanded brand recognition — all while maintaining a "quality over quantity" approach.

The brokerage plans to expand its footprint with additional offices in Bergen and Passaic counties. Company leaders cited the brand's lifestyle positioning, marketing technology and luxury-focused Distinctive Collection program as key drivers for the move, along with increased referral opportunities and national name recognition in a competitive northern New Jersey market.

ERA picks up DC-area firm

Argent Realty has affiliated with ERA Real Estate and will now operate as Argent ERA. The Maryland-based brokerage adds three offices to ERA's global network and brings nearly 60 agents to the brand. The move expands ERA's footprint across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Founded in 2020 by Matt Escobar, Argent quickly scaled through a relationship-driven, education-focused model. The firm provides multilingual services across residential, commercial, new construction and land transactions, with a mission to expand homeownership access throughout the region.

As part of the ERA network, Argent ERA will gain access to its MoxiWorks platform, Team ERA University and consumer marketing programs, according to a news release. But the firm's decision to affiliate with ERA "ultimately came down to its people and its culture," Escobar said.

"Our business philosophy has always been rooted in a disciplined, execution-driven framework anchored by the ideas of education, support, and knowledge," Escobar said, adding that the affiliation will "help elevate agents, our clients, and our future together."

Real nabs 65-agent Texas team

Bachman Realty Group, a 65-agent Texas-based team led by Tiffany and Greg Bachman, has joined The Real Brokerage. The move expands the firm's footprint across the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metros.

Bachman Realty provides agents with mentorship, leadership development and partnership opportunities — creating "an environment where agents are supported, mentored and empowered to succeed," according to Real Chairman and CEO Tamir Poleg, who added that the team's "people-first" approach and commitment to serving military families align with the brokerage's values.

In 2025, the team closed 650 transactions totaling $245 million. They were previously Fathom Realty's top team nationally for four years, Real said in a news release.

The Bachmans cited Real's proprietary technology platform, revenue-share model and collaborative culture as primary reasons for the move.

"Real's technology is truly a game changer," Tiffany Bachman said. "I was incredibly impressed by how intentional Real is about building a platform that actually helps agents grow."

Harry Norman Realtors names new president

HomeServices of America announced this week that Todd Emerson has been named the new president of Harry Norman Realtors. Emerson's appointment follows CEO Jenni Bonura's decision to step down from her role leading the 96-year-old Atlanta brokerage.

Emerson, who has been with the firm for over 21 years, most recently served as general manager, a position in which he oversaw day-to-day operations and worked closely with the CEO and executive committee.

In his new role, Emerson will lead all aspects of the firm's operations across eight offices and hundreds of agents, with a focus on growth, agent experience and collaboration with the HomeServices leadership team, according to a news release.

"Todd is one of the industry's most respected and trusted professionals," HomeServices President and CEO Chris Kelly said. "I personally look forward to working with him in this new position." 

Emerson said he is committed to supporting agent development and guiding the brokerage through its next phase. The leadership transition signals continuity for one of the Southeast's most established luxury and residential brands as it positions for future expansion.

More brokerage news

Engel & Völkers is entering the Polish market with the opening of a new shop in Warsaw. The move — which the brokerage announced one month after entering the Mexican state of Yucatán — demonstrates the firm's "long-term, profitable growth strategy," Group CEO Jawed Barna said in a news release. Engel & Völkers is also expanding in France with new locations in Deauville, Chamonix and Samoëns, plus a new representative office in Lyon, the company said this week. The announcements reflect a larger effort to broaden "our local and global reach on an ongoing basis," Barna added.

Douglas Elliman has welcomed Sandy Waterbury and Kara Brooks to its office in St. Petersburg, Florida. The agents, who operate as the Waterbury Brooks Group, were previously aligned with Premier Sotheby's International Realty and have a combined sales volume of more than $30 million over the past two years, according to a news release. The two are "focused on the luxury market — where discretion, professionalism, and strategic guidance are essential," Waterbury said. Brooks added that Waterbury's real estate experience combined with her legal background give clients "a rare advantage — sharp negotiation, smart risk management, and confident execution in even the most complex deals." 

Coldwell Banker Realty has announced that Valerie Quemada, an agent with over 20 years of experience, has joined the firm's office in Coral Gables, Florida, to focus on the Greater Miami area's luxury market. Quemada's multilingual background enables her to serve a diverse group of clients — and her "market knowledge, legal expertise, and community leadership make her an exceptional addition" to the team, according to Dianne Regalado, the office's branch manager. "Her approach to luxury real estate and commitment to client service perfectly align with our mission, and we look forward to supporting her continued success," Regalado said in a news release.