Coldwell Banker nabs $301M team; Christie’s, Elliman expand
The mother-son duo brings nearly 20 years of combined experience to CB. Plus, E&V adds $675M agent in Silicon Valley; Christie’s Sereno opens 20th office; more.
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.
$300M+ mother-son team join Coldwell Banker
The Thompson Group, a team led by Jennifer Thompson and her son Taylor Thompson, has joined Coldwell Banker Realty's Siesta Key, Florida, office after previously affiliating with William Raveis Real Estate.
Jennifer Thompson brings 13 years of real estate experience and a background in home staging to the firm, while Taylor Thompson has been in the industry since 2020. The team, which specializes in residential and luxury properties, has closed $301 million in career sales, including $27 million during the first seven months of 2026, according to a news release.
Ellen C. O'Day, who serves as managing broker for Coldwell Banker Realty's St. Armands Circle, Longboat Key and Siesta Key offices, said she is "really looking forward to the growth potential for Siesta Key, especially with adding amazing agents like Jennifer and Taylor Thompson."
Coldwell Banker Realty's luxury brand, global reach, tech and buyer network were key draws for the team, Jennifer Thompson noted, adding: "We look forward to providing our clients with even greater resources, marketing power, and exceptional service" following the move.
Christie's Sereno celebrates milestone with 20th office
In conjunction with its 20th anniversary in business, Christie's International Real Estate Sereno has opened its 20th office, expanding the Northern California brokerage's presence on the Central Coast.
Founded by CEO Chris Trapani and Chief Experience Officer Ryan Iwanaga, Christie's Sereno has grown to more than 650 agents over the past two decades. The brokerage reported $6.5 billion in sales volume in 2025 and is on track to hit $7.4 billion in 2026, making it the largest Christie's affiliate by volume globally, according to the company.
The new office in Carmel-by-the-Sea will be led by Simona Martin and will serve buyers and sellers in Carmel and the surrounding Pebble Beach area.
In a news release, Martin highlighted Christie's "unparalleled global reach" and "world-class marketing platform."
"Whether advising buyers seeking an extraordinary coastal retreat or representing sellers of iconic homes, our role extends beyond facilitating transactions," Martin said, adding that the firm provides "discreet, strategic counsel tailored to each client's unique goals, combining deep local expertise with the strength of a trusted global brand."
More brokerage news
Christie's International Real Estate has also announced the opening of a new office in Phuket, Thailand's largest island. The move comes nearly two years after the luxury brand launched in the capital city of Bangkok, established a presence in the country. The new Phuket office is in Bang Tao, a high-end district near Bang Tao Beach. Chinnatatt Sirichanachai, who oversaw the company's initial push into Thailand, said buyers around the world "recognize Phuket as one of the most compelling luxury resort-home markets in Asia," adding: "The idea is to create a central hub for luxury real estate in Phuket."
Douglas Elliman agent McKenzie Ryan is expanding her New York-based business to London after nabbing representation for several new development projects in the English capital. The move comes amid the brokerage's wider efforts to expand its business internationally, according to a news release. The luxury firm noted the rise in American buyers in London, with Ryan adding that the city is emerging as "a clear focus" for real estate investors. "I'm now able to advise my clients across both markets ensuring every acquisition is executed with the same level of intention and oversight I've always brought to New York," Ryan added.
Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group has welcomed Dawn Thomas into the fold in California's Silicon Valley. Thomas, who was most recently aligned with Compass, has spent over 22 years serving clients in the region and has closed more than $675 million in sales volume over the course of her career, according to a news release. Thomas described her move to E&V as "deliberate, not reactive": "I found a global network built to support the kind of practice I want to keep building, not just the one I already have."
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.