Corcoran affiliate scores recruiting wins; FirstTeam, Compass expand 

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.

FirstTeam's California footprint grows

FirstTeam has expanded in California through a new partnership with Over the Moon Realty, Inc., and the launch of a new Central Coast community office.

Over the Moon Realty is led by Broker/Owner Amber Russell, who has a background as a teacher and counselor. Her team serves clients in the Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Pebble Beach and Marina communities.

Russell, who is also the 2026 president of the Monterey County Association of Realtors, said in a news release that she selected FirstTeam to gain access to additional brokerage resources while maintaining her firm's local identity and client-focused approach. FirstTeam said the new office aligns with its strategy of partnering with established local leaders and expanding its presence through independently operated community offices.

"I felt a level of authenticity and genuine partnership that's rare in our industry," Russell said of FirstTeam. "I was drawn to the future-focused, female leadership team that understands my vision and values what makes Over the Moon Realty unique, including our name and the identity we've built within our community."

Corcoran's Long Island affiliate adds new office, teams

Corcoran SRG Residential has opened a new office in Merrick, New York, expanding its presence in Nassau and western Suffolk counties just weeks after launching as Corcoran's first Long Island affiliate.

The Merrick office joins Corcoran SRG Residential's Syosset location and is intended to strengthen the company's position in the Long Island market while supporting continued agent recruitment and serving buyers and sellers throughout the region, according to a news release.

The office will serve as the brokerage's South Shore headquarters and will house both existing agents and newly affiliated teams. Among the additions announced this week are Brandon Cohen's Island Realty Group Team and the Tepper Kaplan Team, who collectively closed about $85 million in sales in 2025, the company said.

Corcoran SRG Residential Co-owners David Cohen, Sam Horowitz and Jared Sarney expressed excitement at the addition of the new office and teams, with Cohen describing the expansion as a reflection of "the momentum we're building across Long Island" and Sarney adding that it reflects the reputation, culture and confidence they've already created.

"This outstanding group of agents brings deep local expertise, and a shared commitment to exceptional client service," Horowitz said.

Compass expands to Shelter Island with Melina Wein team

Compass has established its first office in Shelter Island, New York, with the addition of broker Melina Wein and her team. The move extends Compass' presence in the Hamptons region and adds a longtime local brokerage leader who has owned and led the independent M. Wein Realty Inc. for the past 28 years.

Wein said she chose Compass to pair her local market expertise with the company's technology platform while continuing to serve clients in the community. According to the company, the new office gives Compass a foothold in the Shelter Island market and provides agents with access to its marketing resources, technology and national referral network.

"After nearly three decades building my business on Shelter Island, I wanted to find a partner that shared my values while offering the resources to elevate the experience for my clients and team," Wein said. "The people, culture, and platform at Compass made the decision an easy one."

Joe Fuer, managing director for Compass Hamptons, said Wein's longstanding presence in the market made her a natural choice to lead the brokerage's first Shelter Island office.

More brokerage news

Douglas Elliman has welcomed three agents into the fold at two of its Florida offices. Joining the brokerage's Sarasota office are Katie Cobb and Tara Miller, both founding partners of Selling the Florida Coast who were previously with Preferred Shore Real Estate. Johnathan Shirey is returning to the firm's Naples office after a short stint at Gulf Coast International Properties. Cobb and Miller have a combined career sales volume total exceeding $82 million while Shirey closed about $22 million in 2025 alone, according to a news release.

The Real Brokerage has announced the addition of Cosette Lambourne Woods, an agent and brokerage executive with over 26 years of industry experience. Woods previously served as a team leader, CEO and operating principal, driving growth and recruitment initiatives at Keller Williams, according to a news release. She has also served on the Hampton Roads Realtor Association's board of directors and as VP of the Southeastern Virginia Women's Council of Realtors. Woods described Real's leaders as "authentic, transparent and genuinely invested in the success of its agents," adding: "Combined with innovative technology and a collaborative culture, Real provides agents with the opportunity to build their businesses on their own terms."

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.