Compass, eXp, Real add teams; 2 BHGRE firms join forces 

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.

Growth-focused Florida team returns to eXp

Maximum Tampa Group, led by Yulia Olivo and Jennifer Rivera, has rejoined eXp Realty and will partner with Veronica Figueroa's FIG Team to launch a new Tampa-based group, the brokerage announced this week.

Olivo and Rivera had previously moved to LPT Realty as founding members, but after scaling their team — which closed nearly $52 million in sales volume in 2024 and averages 120 to 150 transactions annually — they began looking for a brokerage that better matched their long-term growth goals, and eXp fit the bill, according to a news release.

"We needed a model that could support where we're going, not just where we are," Olivo said. "We've experienced growth at a high level, and this move allows us to build with the right foundation in place."

The new real estate group will be known as FIG Team Maximum Tampa. It marks FIG Team's first move into the Tampa market, and it will operate as an extension of its existing platform, combining local leadership with established systems and operational support.

Billion-dollar team joins Compass in Virginia

Compass has announced that Avenue Realty Group will lead its operations in the Charlottesville market, expanding the brokerage's presence in Central Virginia.

Led by Darian and Amy Cochran, the team brings more than 354 years of combined experience and $1.2 billion in career sales, according to Compass, and serves clients across Charlottesville and the Shenandoah Valley. Compass said the partnership aligns with its strategy to pair established local teams with its technology platform and national network.

Moving forward, Avenue Realty Group will continue maintaining its "boutique, locally rooted culture" while leveraging Compass's tools and marketing capabilities, Darian Cochran said in a news release. "We are dedicated to providing best-in-class service to each of our clients," he added.

The Cochrans "have built an incredible business focused on client service, integrity, and market expertise," Compass Regional VP Holly Worthington said. "With this collaboration, we will continue to build on their steady foundation and established roots to achieve even greater success."

55-agent Dallas team moves to Real

The Real Brokerage has announced that The Onyx Realty Group has joined the company in a move that expands the brokerage's footprint in North Texas.

The 55-agent team — which is led by Tasha J. Penson, Destanie Okwumabua, Orlanda Powell and Keith Stone — previously operated within Keller Williams Realty Best SW and serves clients across the southwest Dallas metro area. Over the past four years, the group has closed more than 1,250 transactions totaling $490 million, according to a news release.

The team evaluated multiple options before selecting Real, citing its agent-focused model — which includes stock incentives and revenue sharing — and technology platform as key factors in their decision.

"As we step into this next chapter, transitioning our team to Real allows us to align with a model that supports collaboration, innovation and agent ownership, Penson said.

"The industry is evolving, and so are we," Penson added. "We are building a community of agents focused on helping clients achieve their wealth goals and building wealth of their own."

2 BHGRE brokerages unite in Connecticut

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gaetano Marra Homes and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Shore and Country Properties have announced a partnership to expand their combined presence across Connecticut's Fairfield County.

The unified operation includes six offices, about 275 affiliated agents and seven staff members, according to a news release. Shore and Country Properties will continue operating under its existing name while integrating resources across the broader organization. It's the second big partnership announcement for Gaetano Marra Homes in just over six months, following its merger with BHGRE Bannon & Hebert in Aug. 2025.

Shore and Country Founder Jason Kinard will remain in an advisory role, with his focus now trained on recruiting and strategic growth. Kinard said that his firm's "twenty-year commitment to our community will continue well into the future thanks to our partnership" with Gaetano Marra Homes, which is led by Gaetano Marra.

"Jason and I have enjoyed a collegial relationship for many years and we are so excited to kick off the year with this new partnership focused on growth across all fronts," Marra said. "Because of our focus in agent development, our firm is a great place for an agent to grow their business as they benefit from a top-notch leadership team and an amazing suite of tools and technology."

One family-run firm acquires another in Oregon

Imagine Realty ERA Powered has acquired Bend, Oregon-based Duke Warner Realty, marking its third expansion since affiliating with ERA Real Estate in 2024.

The acquisition extends Imagine Realty's footprint into central Oregon and brings onboard one of the area's longest-standing real estate firms, according to a news release.

The acquired firm, now operating as Duke Warner Realty ERA Powered, was founded in 1967 by Duke and Kitty Warner. Kitty Warner's son, Kit Korish, now leads the firm with his brother, Kris Warner.

Imagine Realty, which is led by Amy and Jessie "Weno" Dominguez, recently joined forces with Kent and LJ Easom to launch the affiliate company Imagine Oregon LLC. The two families purchased Duke Warner Realty together.

This latest acquisition "was brought about by the parallel family values shared between both of our firms," Weno Dominguez said. "After meeting with the Duke Warner leadership team, it didn't take long to notice how closely our philosophies align, particularly when it comes to providing excellent, honest service with our clients' best interests at heart."

Korish agreed that "everything clicked seamlessly" when the two groups met, adding that support from the ERA Powered brand will also "allow me to carry on our family legacy, without sacrificing the brand they built over these past 59 years."

The Agency enters Alaska, welcomes indie in California

This week, The Agency announced its official entrance into a new state and the addition of new agents in Southern California.

The luxury brokerage launched a new office in Anchorage, marking its first move into Alaska. The office will be led by Managing Partners Emma Shibe and Bethany Weiser, according to a news release.

CEO Mauricio Umansky described Alaska as "a natural choice for us to plant new roots," adding, "Anchorage's extraordinary combination of untamed wilderness, a tight-knit and thriving community, and an unparalleled outdoor lifestyle makes it one of the most extraordinary and singular markets in the country."

In San Diego, meanwhile, husband-and-wife duo Jeff and Natalie Grant have joined The Agency's La Jolla office. The Grants, who founded the boutique brokerage Sand & Sea Investments, average $30 million in annual sales volume and said they chose to align with The Agency because of the brand's global reach and collaborative network.

More brokerage news

Douglas Elliman will continue its international expansion efforts by moving into Canada. The firm, which debuted its global brand in June 2025, will soon launch Elliman Canada in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in collaboration with Sutton Group Chairman and CEO Ross McCredie, according to a news release. "As one of the largest inbound referral markets for U.S. real estate, Canada represents a significant and timely opportunity for Elliman and our agents," Douglas Elliman President and CEO Michael Liebowitz said.

Keller Williams also made international moves this week, announcing that it has awarded a master franchise in Croatia. The new location, which is expected to open its first market center in the second quarter of 2026, will be led by Regional Operating Principal Boris Batelic. Croatia's real estate market "needs structural change, innovation, and a model built around agents and entrepreneurs," Batelic said in a news release, adding that his vision "is to build a place where entrepreneurs grow their business and agents have the platform they deserve, both locally and globally."

Elite International Realty has launched a new invitation-only arm that will be known as Signature Collection by Elite. CEO Daniel Ickowicz will lead the Miami-based luxury brokerage's new division, which is launching with 15 agents. Any other interested agents "must have a significant track record in multimillion-dollar transactions" to qualify and will receive training focused on high-net-worth clients and cross-border transactions once they do, according to a news release.

SERHANT has appointed Florida-based Tyler Cameron to serve as the exclusive sales and marketing agent of Ancora, a waterfront development seeking to bring two dozen townhomes to Hutchinson Island. Cameron, who is taking on his first new development project in this role, says Ancora is "bringing a new type of residence" to the island, adding that the "goal was to bring together strong design, quality construction, and the kind of lifestyle people move to Florida for."

Portside Real Estate Group has welcomed two new agents — Jennifer Jackson and Stephanie Tremblay — into the fold. Jackson, who brings a background in nursing and remodeling homes, will be joining the firm's Seacoast team in New Hampshire. Tremblay, who has lived in Southern Maine for almost three decades, will join Portside's York County team. Both agents highlighted Portside's dedication to serving local communities in company news releases, with Tremblay adding that the firm's "collaborative approach, combined with the latest tools and technology, creates a great experience for both agents and clients."

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.