Brokerage Beat: News from C21, Real, Compass, Christie's, BHGRE 

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.

Veteran-led SC brokerage joins forces with Century 21

Beaufort, South Carolina's EquitySafe Realty has signed up with Century 21.

The company, founded by former U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor Will McCullough in 2015, will now do business as Century 21 Coastal Town Realty.

McCullough is a veteran real estate professional as well, bringing more than 25 years of experience to Century 21. He currently serves as a director of the Beaufort-Jasper County Association of Realtors. His wife, Deena McCullough, is his partner in the brokerage.

"Affiliating with the Century 21 brand provides us with unparalleled opportunities to leverage our decades of hyper-local experience with a globally recognized entity," said McCullough. 

Manhattan Christie's heads to the Hamptons

Manhattan-based Christie's International Real Estate Group is opening an office in East Hampton.

The firm has more than 30 offices and 1,000 associates throughout New York City, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and New Jersey — and now the Hamptons on Long Island's South Fork.

The office will be managed by Sherri Balassone, vice president and broker of record for New York City and The Hamptons. Balassone has been a licensed broker for 10 years and has also worked as a real estate attorney.

"With locations in New York City and throughout the tri-state area, a Hamptons office was a natural next step for our brokerage," said Sonja Cullaro, executive vice president of Christie's International Real Estate Group. 

"We look forward to bringing the Christie's International Real Estate brand to the Hamptons, offering our exceptional client service, world-class marketing and local expertise." 

Compass lands two new Chicagoland agents

Agents Anne Hodge and Debra Dobbs have joined Compass' brokerage serving the Chicago market.

"We are thrilled to welcome Anne and Debra to our growing Chicagoland team," said Fran Broude, regional vice president with Compass. Compass' Chicago operations have grown to include more than 1,600 agents since it entered the market in 2017.

Both agents come to Compass after lengthy tenures at @properties.

Hodge has 20 years of real estate experience and a varied background in structural engineering, sales and technology. 

"I'm excited to be working alongside the top real estate agents in Chicago and look forward to tapping into the Compass tools that are proven to scale agent business," she said. 

Dobbs, with more than 38 years of real estate experience, ranks among the top 1% of Chicago Realtors.

"The real estate industry is constantly evolving, so it's important to have access to the latest tools and technology," said Dobbs. "We're excited to bring our business to the end-to-end Compass platform and integrate AI-based processes to the benefit of our clients."

Arizona luxury team joins Real

Luxury agent David Newman has moved his 12-member team to The Real Brokerage.

Specializing in luxury sales in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Southeast Valley, Newman's team, David Newman Partners, closed nearly 500 transactions totaling nearly $300 million in sales in 2022.

Newman has more than 20 years of real estate experience and has been in the Phoenix market for the past 10 years. 

"We are excited to welcome David and his team to The Real Brokerage family as we continue to attract top producers to our agent-first platform," said Real President Sharran Srivatsaa. 

"David's dedication to maximizing marketing and optimizing value for sellers aligns with the Real platform and our mission to give our agents the tools they need to succeed by providing the best consumer experience possible."

Better Homes and Gardens moves into Turkey

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has signed a master franchise agreement in Turkey.

Burak Özmutafoğlu will serve as president and chairman of the board of directors for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Turkey located in Istanbul, the country's largest city. Özmutafoğlu previously owned a Coldwell Banker franchise for 12 years.

This agreement marks the brand's first expansion into Europe and Asia. Other global regions served by BHGRE franchises are Canada, Australia, Jamaica and The Bahamas.

"The expansion of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate into Turkey is an exciting milestone for the brand as we expand our presence in the Eastern Hemisphere," said Ginger Wilcox, BHGRE president. 

"Over the next five years, we will pursue growth through two avenues: opening boutique offices in luxury areas and launching large offices in city centers," said Özmutafoğlu.