Team merger creates 'true platform'; Sotheby’s enters Portsmouth 

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.

Gibson Sotheby's expands into second state

Gibson Sotheby's International Realty has acquired Madden Group, a boutique brokerage serving New Hampshire's Seacoast region, parts of Massachusetts and southern Maine.

Gibson Sotheby's also announced the opening of a new branch in Portsmouth, New Hampshire — its first office outside Massachusetts and the brand's first location in the city.

Jennifer Madden, former principal owner and managing broker of Madden Group, will join Gibson Sotheby's as vice president of its New Hampshire operations. She will be based in the new office.

Madden "has built a brokerage that reflects many of the values we've prioritized as we've grown: a boutique culture, close collaboration, and a deep commitment to the communities it serves," Gibson Sotheby's Chairman and Founder Larry Rideout said in a news release.

Madden said she built her firm "on trust, local expertise, and strong relationships." Joining Gibson Sotheby's will allow her team to expand on that foundation with support from a global brand, "elevating what we can offer our clients while continuing to serve the communities we know best."

Two teams merge at eXp

eXp Realty announced that New Jersey team leader Sharif Hatab has joined the brokerage, merging Team Sharif Sells with Stunning NJ Homes, led by existing eXp team leader Peter Boutros. The merged group will be known as Unify Real Estate Team.

Hatab's and Boutros' combined sales volume exceeded $120 million across 309 transactions in 2025, according to a news release.

Hatab said the move follows years of evaluating brokerage models and expansion opportunities. "As our team grew, it became increasingly clear that if we wanted to build a true platform with long-term scalability, leadership opportunities, and national expansion potential, we needed to align with a model designed for that future," he said.

eXp, Hatab added, "offered the collaboration, scalability, and ecosystem we needed, and merging with Peter created an even bigger opportunity to build something neither of us could create as effectively alone."

Boutros said the alignment reflects a broader shift in team strategy. "We are no longer simply competing as individual teams," he said. "We now operate as a true platform with the infrastructure, systems, and resources to compete at a much higher level while still maintaining founder-led local leadership."

Unify Real Estate Team will operate with a shared CRM, lead funnel and support structure focused on recruiting, coaching and agent development, the company said.

REMAX opens new firm in suburban Detroit

REMAX of Southeastern Michigan has announced the opening of REMAX Noire, a new brokerage in Macomb, Michigan, that is owned and operated by longtime REMAX agent Jessica Belanger.

Belanger began her real estate career in 2007 as an office manager before earning her license in 2012 and joining REMAX in 2015. She is now transitioning into the broker/owner role while remaining "REMAX loyal," according to a news release.

Staying with REMAX "was a natural choice," Belanger said, "but I wanted to breathe some life into the industry locally, mix things up and hopefully create an environment that's fresh, fun and appealing to younger generations of agents."

Her move into brokerage ownership "is a testament to her leadership, drive and commitment to her clients and the industry," added Jeanette Schneider, president of REMAX of Southeastern Michigan.

"We're excited to support her as she brings her energy and passion to the northern Macomb market."

More brokerage news

Resident has expanded into California's Napa Valley, a move that the Los Angeles-based boutique brokerage described as "a natural evolution" as it seeks to strategically grow its footprint. The firm, which launched last year, has already reported over $200 million in closed and pending sales, according to a news release. "For us, this expansion isn't just about entering a new market — it's about becoming part of the fabric of Napa," Co-founder Lauren Grauman said, adding that markets like Napa possess "a growing expectation that the real estate experience feels more like hospitality."

HomeSmart has partnered with Guild Mortgage, a move that will provide participating brokers with "consistent, high-quality mortgage experience." By becoming a HomeSmart preferred lending partner, Guild Mortgage will help ensure that agents and clients "have a seamless real estate journey," HomeSmart Chief Business Development Officer Carol Perry said in a news release. The brokerage's network will have access to all Guild Mortgage programs, including conventional and FHA loans as well as support for first-time buyers.

Engel & Völkers has enhanced its Creative Solutions program with new media planning and buying services aimed at boosting listing visibility. Affiliated agents who invest at least $2,500 in a marketing plan through the program can get a $2,500 funding match, according to a news release. The company is "committed to providing our network with innovative tools and high-touch resources that help them stand out in an increasingly competitive market," E&V Americas Chief Marketing and Performance Officer Katelyn Castellano said. These new offerings demonstrate "that commitment by offering a more elevated, cohesive approach to marketing," she added.

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.