Family team joins Chicago’s ‘best-kept secret’; gains at Real, ERA 

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 firm adds 90 agents in Arizona

Success Property Brokers, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based brokerage with about 90 affiliated agents, has been acquired by Preston Porter, the owner of Alamosa, Colorado-based Porter Realty ERA Powered who joined the ERA network last fall. The firm will now operate as Success Property Brokers ERA Powered.

Under its new ownership, the brokerage will continue serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area from its offices in Scottsdale and Peoria. Former owner Byron Short will remain with the company as designated broker and transition advisor to support agents, clients and day-to-day operations, according to a news release.

The brokerage said it plans to maintain its agent-focused business model while pursuing growth through recruiting and expanded support for its agents.

"Our agents value independence, flexibility and a practical, agent-focused culture," Short said, adding that the acquisition "allows us to preserve what works while adding the tools, credibility and support to drive long-term growth."

"As I look ahead to transitioning into a more advisory, production-focused role, it also ensures this is the kind of company I'll be proud to be part of," Short added.

Family team joins Baird & Warner

The Guzzetta | Mercado Group has joined Baird & Warner's Edgebrook office on Chicago's Northwest Side. The five-member multigenerational family team, which was previously aligned with REMAX Properties Northwest, brings more than a century of combined real estate experience to Chicago's largest independent brokerage.

The group is led by Joe and Madeline Guzzetta and also includes Joe Guzzetta's father, Kenneth Guzzetta, and brothers Bryan Mercado and Tim Guzzetta. The team chose to join Baird & Warner — where Kenneth Guzzetta and his father previously worked — after evaluating multiple brokerage options, citing the brokerage's technology platform, transaction support services and agent resources as key factors in the decision.

"When we started exploring our options, I honestly thought we would land at one of the national mega brokerages," Joe Guzzetta said in a news release. But "everything changed" after meeting with Baird & Warner: "Instead of telling us why we should fit into their model, they showed us how they could help us achieve our goals."

"We left that meeting feeling like Baird & Warner was the best-kept secret in Chicago real estate," Joe Guzzetta added.

The team also noted it has already exceeded its full-year 2025 production during its first quarter at Baird & Warner.

Midwestern indie brings 100+ agents to Real

MTP, formerly known as Michigan Top Producers and Indiana Top Producers, has joined The Real Brokerage. The move adds 105 agents to the cloud-based company and expands its footprint in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana.

MTP completed about 1,500 transactions totaling more than $360 million in sales volume in 2025, according to a news release. Co-owned and led by David Lambe and Brandon Hamilton, the brokerage is launching a new brand — Midwest Top Producers — as part of its move to Real to reflect its regional growth strategy.

Lambe and Hamilton said joining Real provides their agents with access to additional technology, resources and a national platform while preserving local leadership. MTP has more than doubled its agent count over the past two years and said it will continue focusing on coaching, mentorship and agent development as it expands across the Midwest.

Real said the affiliation aligns with its strategy of attracting high-performing independent brokerages and agent organizations.

"MTP has built an impressive organization by creating opportunities for agents to grow and succeed at every stage of their careers," Real Chief Growth Officer Jason Cassity said. "Their commitment to training, support and agent development aligns closely with Real's mission."

Howard Hanna NYC gains 26 agents

Howard Hanna NYC has added 26 agents in Manhattan as the company continues expanding its presence in the city.

Among the new additions is The Andrew Klima Team, which is joining Howard Hanna from SERHANT. Led by Andrew Klima, the team serves the Pittsburgh and New York City markets, with $58 million in sales across 90 transactions completed in 2025, according to a news release.

Howard Hanna NYC said it has also recruited agents from other firms — including members of the FAST Advisory Group and Elizabeth Steele from Corcoran — and added new agents to existing teams, including Bert Johnson's The Johnson Team.

Howard Hanna said the additions reflect its strategy of growth through experienced teams, individual producers and emerging talent. The expansion follows the company's recent appointment of Hal D. Gavzie as executive director of business development and the launch of its Luxury Center of Excellence.

"The growth we're seeing in New York City reflects what we've believed for decades: great agents want a company that invests in their success, supports their business, and shares their commitment to exceptional client service," Howard Hanna CEO Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna IV said. "We're excited to continue building on that momentum alongside some of the best talent in the industry."

More brokerage news

SERHANT has welcomed real estate advisor Jason Wright and the Jason Wright Real Estate Group into the fold in Orange County, California. Formerly affiliated with The Tim Smith Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker, Wright brings $18 million in pending sales and over $100 million in active and coming-soon listings, according to a news release. Wright indicated that SERHANT's focus on "relationships, media, technology, and entrepreneurship" were key in his decision, adding: "SERHANT's commitment to innovation, marketing excellence, and entrepreneurial thinking made this the natural next step."

The Agency has announced the opening of its new Abaco office — the brokerage's second in the Bahamas. The Marsh Harbor-based outfit will be led by Managing Partner Danny Lowe, who already leads the luxury firm's other office in the country, and Managing Director Scott Ferguson. In a news release, The Agency Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky described the area as having one of the region's "most special lifestyle markets" known for "world-class boating, fishing, island communities, and strong second-home demand." Abaco "offers an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking both an authentic Bahamian lifestyle and long-term value," Umansky 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.