C21, ERA each gain two affiliates; $108M team joins Compass 

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.

ERA expands in California, Virginia

The ERA brand has announced a "values-aligned partnership" in California and an affiliation that brings over 60 agents into the fold in Virginia.

In California: Real Estate Experts ERA Powered has formed a strategic partnership with Legacy Real Estate & Associates, creating a combined network of more than 300 agents across four Bay Area offices.

The newly branded Legacy Real Estate Experts ERA Powered, which is led by Bill Aboumrad, consistently exceeds $1B in annual sales volume, according to a news release. Both companies cited shared values — including a focus on agent development — as key drivers behind the deal.

"This is a strategic, values-aligned partnership — not a traditional real estate acquisition," said Aboumrad, who will continue to serve as Legacy's president.

Scale "was a factor" in the deal, according to Real Estate Experts ERA Powered Founder Brett Jennings, but the decision to join forces "ultimately came down to our shared values, common vision, and commitment to serving clients and agents at the highest level."

"Legacy has built a remarkable reputation rooted in community and professionalism, which aligns deeply with our philosophy," he added.

In Virginia: ERA Real Estate has expanded in central Virginia with the affiliation of ICON Realty Group, a Richmond-based brokerage now operating as ICON Realty Group ERA Powered.

The firm, which includes more than 60 agents, is led by Catina Jones — its founder, principal broker and owner — alongside Owner and CEO Robert Jones and Managing Broker Dakia Knight. ICON serves clients across residential, commercial and investment sectors, with a focus that includes attainable housing and partnerships with local nonprofits.

Through its affiliation with ERA, the brokerage gains access to the brand's technology, marketing and training resources, which members of its leadership team cited as key to scaling up. The firm plans to pursue growth through recruiting and acquisitions over the next year.

"The real estate landscape is evolving rapidly, and independent brokerages need greater support, resources and strategic alignment to remain competitive and sustainable," Catina Jones said.

"With the ERA network, we now have access to a collaborative network of professionals, along with powerful tools and resources that will enhance our productivity and help us stay competitive in an ever-changing market," she added.

Compass picks up $108M team in the Constitution State

Compass has added the Encore Team, a 15-agent group that closed $108 million in sales volume in 2025, according to a news release. The team will be based out of Compass' office in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Led by partners Kris Kling, Andrew Walker, Danielle Valenti, Jennifer Kelley and Andy Sachs, the team has completed more than 2,000 transactions and brings over 20 years of experience. They serve clients in several local communities, including Newtown, Danbury and Redding.

The team, which operates as a collaborative model with agents sharing expertise across clients and deals, will gain access to Compass' technology platform and marketing tools.

Sachs, who founded the team, noted that he "grew it alongside these incredible individuals," who are moving into this new stage "as a united front."

"With Compass behind us, we're combining our local integrity with elite technology to give our clients total control over how they present their homes to the world," Sachs said.

The addition expands Compass' presence in Fairfield County as it continues to recruit teams seeking scale and operational support.

C21 adds affiliates in Virginia, Kentucky

Century 21 has welcomed two new affiliates into the fold: one in Virginia and another in Kentucky.

In Virginia: Century 21 has expanded its presence along the Chesapeake Bay with the addition of Together Home Group, a Hampton-based brokerage now operating as Century 21 Together, the company said.

Led by wife-and-husband duo Lakisha Brown-White and Brian White, the boutique firm serves clients across the Hampton Roads and Peninsula markets, with a focus on military families, first-time buyers and luxury and investment properties. Brown-White, who previously launched two other brokerages, brings experience in staging and luxury sales, while White has a background in the Marines and worked in IT before entering the real estate industry.

The affiliation provides the firm access to Century 21's technology, marketing and agent training resources, which the duo said will support recruiting and future growth — including potential acquisitions.

"As a results-driven real estate leader, I approach my work with a genuine family-focused mindset that always prioritizes the needs of my clients," Brown-White said. The global brand "aligns exceptionally well with that mission while also providing us with the tools we need to pursue our future business goals," she added.

In Kentucky: Century 21 has expanded in central Kentucky with new affiliate Bluegrass Realty Pros, an Elizabethtown-based brokerage now operating as Century 21 Bluegrass Realty Pros.

Founded about four years ago by another husband-and-wife duo, Jason and Melissa Jarstfer, the firm serves residential and commercial clients, including military families tied to nearby Fort Knox. The brokerage also handles land sales, investment properties and auctions.

The affiliation gives the firm access to the international brand's technology, marketing and training resources, which leadership cited as a factor in the move. The company also plans to pursue growth through recruiting and acquisitions, with a goal of tripling its agent count over the next year.

"Joining a global brand can open so many doors for us," Jason Jarstfer said in a news release. "Locally, we've already developed a reputation for our ability to position homes to sell effectively," he added, but with the backing of the Century 21 brand, "we're able to more easily spread that reputation into new markets."

30-year industry vet brings team to eXp

eXp Realty has announced the addition of Sonia Orozco and her 14-member team, The Luxe Group. The veteran team leader, whose group closed over $48 million in sales in 2025, joins the cloud-based brokerage after spending the past 14 years with REMAX, according to a news release.

Orozco brings over 30 years of industry experience, some of which she spent as a franchise owner. Her move to eXp "reflects what many top-producing agents and teams are recognizing across this industry: the future belongs to those who are willing to evolve," CEO Leo Pareja said.

"She has already built an extraordinary business, and we are proud to welcome Sonia and The Luxe Group to eXp as they position themselves for even greater scale, innovation, and opportunity," Pareja added.

Orozco said her decision followed an evaluation of alternative brokerage models, citing eXp's systems and resources as key factors. "When I started looking into other brokerages, there was just nothing else, in my opinion, that matched what eXp had to offer," she said.

Howard Hanna 'rookie of the year' gets promoted

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has appointed Heather Earley as managing broker of its Williamsburg, Virginia, office, where she will oversee operations and lead a team of more than 50 agents and staff members.

Earley most recently led the firm's Smithfield office, where she increased sales, listings and agent count after taking on the role in 2022. She joined Howard Hanna in 2018 as an agent in Virginia Beach and was named Rookie of the Year at the company in her first year, according to a news release.

"Heather is a proven leader who brings an energetic style and agent-centric approach to everything she does," said Mike Grogan, regional VP of Howard Hanna Virginia and Northeast North Carolina, noting that she boosted sales at the Smithfield office by 21% in 2025.

Howard Hanna Southeast President Gary Scott added that Earley "will continue to excel as Howard Hanna continues to grow throughout the region.

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.