Brokerage Beat: News from KW, eXp, United, Real, RE/MAX, 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.

Milwaukee brokerage makes move to Keller Williams

A leading Milwaukee brokerage, Houseworks Collective, has affiliated with Keller Williams. Houseworks has 15 agents and five staff members, and is owned by founder Charlie Hutchinson.

"We are beyond excited to announce our move back home to Keller Williams and our merger with the Jay Schmidt Group to become the #1 real estate team in Wisconsin," Hutchinson said in a news release. Since Jan. 1, 2023, Houseworks Collective has sold 326 units, equating to $118.5 million in sales, with 182 of those sales being made so far this year.

Houseworks has affiliated with Keller Williams – MKE, a KW market center based in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Its merger partner, Milwaukee-based Jay Schmidt Group, has been one of the metro area's top teams, based on collective sides and volume, for eight years.

Kris Caldwell and top-performing Colorado group join eXp

Denver's Kris Caldwell and his team have joined eXp Realty. The $200 million, 30-agent team serves Colorado's Front Range and premier mountain communities.

Caldwell, who founded The Apollo Group at Compass, said in a statement that the move to eXp "offers my team the resources, innovation and environment to achieve more, grow faster and deliver even greater value to our clients."

Leo Pareja, eXp Realty CEO, said "Kris embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives eXp Realty's success. His commitment to innovation and collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to empower agents to grow their businesses and achieve their full potential."

Kansas City firm merges with regional United Real Estate brokerage

Kansas City luxury brokerage SunWest Real Estate Advisors has joined its operations with United Real Estate's Platinum Realty. Platinum is one of the region's largest brokerages, with more than 2,500 agents serving seven major Midwest markets.

SunWest is led by Jerry Braklow, operating principal and partner, who said the company was looking to build on its success by joining "a strong partner with the large market presence of Platinum Realty and the deep resources of its national partner, United Real Estate."

As a result of the deal, SunWest agents gain access to tools and resources such as PPO health care plans, wealth planning and enhanced luxury property marketing services, according to the news release. Platinum Realty will benefit from SunWest's luxury expertise. 

SunWest Missouri broker and partner Monet Deshler said, "Platinum's focus on supporting agents and promoting their business were major draws for us. We are empowering them to shine and position their brand however they choose."

Urban Nest, led by Las Vegas 'icons,' joins Real

Urban Nest Realty, one of Las Vegas' top firms, has joined The Real Brokerage.

Urban Nest was founded and is led by members of the Tina family: David J. Tina, Angela Tina and David R. Tina. The 400-agent firm has a strong focus on the region's large luxury market.

After launching successful careers at other real estate firms, the Tinas founded Urban Nest in 2012. To date, the firm has closed more than 35,000 home sales, valued in excess of $11 billion. 

"Urban Nest Realty joining Real marks an extraordinary milestone for both organizations," said Real President Sharran Srivatsaa in a news release.

"The Tinas are true icons in Las Vegas real estate. … Their selective approach to building a high-performing team and their dedication to the well-being of their agents make them a natural fit for Real's mission."

RE/MAX powerhouse in Michigan expands

RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan has opened a new branch in Auburn Hills: RE/MAX The Collective Agency, led by broker/owner Benjamin Lang.

Lang has a strong history in the Detroit area market, with more than 1,000 closed transactions. He holds certifications in the areas of seller representation, distressed property, short sales and foreclosures. He's also an accredited buyer representative and certified coach.

"Opening RE/MAX The Collective Agency is the epitome of what we do: changing lives and helping people realize their dreams," Lang said in a news release. 

RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan is a leading agency in the metro Detroit area, serving Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties with nearly 900 sales associates and almost 60 offices.

Billion-dollar team joins Compass NYC

Simona Stanica has brought her team to Compass after "a great run at Douglas Elliman," where she ranked in the top 3% of the firm's agents nationwide. 

The four-agent Stanica Team covers the Manhattan, Forest Hills, Queens and Brooklyn areas. Simona Stanica has been a licensed agent for more than 20 years, achieving $1 billion in lifetime sales. 

After spending nearly her entire career at Elliman, she said Compass' technology was a driving factor in her decision to make the change. "I've come to realize that in order to best serve my clients, I need the most advanced technology. Compass provides a seamless platform for achieving success in this industry. It will make it possible for me to service all of my clients so much more effectively and seamlessly than ever before. "

Two Realty ONE franchises unite in Pennsylvania

Realty ONE Group Landmark, an eight-office firm covering Western and Central Pennsylvania, has acquired Realty ONE Group Horizon, another multi-office firm, bringing the combined agent count to more than 200.

"We're bringing together two incredibly talented teams, and the opportunities for growth — for our agents and our clients — are endless," said Tyler Thompson, a broker/owner at Realty ONE Group Landmark.

The leadership teams of both franchises are working together to ensure a smooth transition, the company said in a news release. "The Horizon team has built something truly special, and we're honored to welcome them into the Landmark family," said Lesa Kendall, also a broker/owner at Realty ONE Group Landmark. "Together, we'll raise the bar for what real estate agents can achieve and how we serve our clients across Pennsylvania."

NYC agent launches brokerage on Side platform

Danielle Nazinitsky, a New York City agent who specializes in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods, has launched Decode Real Estate through Side. She was previously with Compass.

During her 10 years as a solo producer in NYC, Nazinitsky has closed more than 500 transactions worth $250 million in sales volume, according to Side, which noted in a news release that she plans to "build out a team while retaining a boutique feel."

A busy month for Anywhere brands

BHGRE gains firms in California, Maryland: Two firms in California's Central Valley have combined and launched a new brokerage under the BHGRE banner. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Viridis Properties was formed by The Davis Group Real Estate and MV & Associates. Their 25 sales associates serve the residential, commercial and investment property sectors in Kern County. MV & Associates was led by Michelle Valverde, who is now the lead broker of BHGRE Viridis. Joining Valverde on the leadership team is Paris Davis, who led The Davis Group and now serves as BHGRE Viridis' vice president of expansion.

Also joining the BHGRE family is Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Old Line Group, a two-office brokerage based in Frostburg, Maryland. Founded in 2011 as Carter & Roque Real Estate, the newly affiliated firm is led by original co-founder Donny Carter, a 20-year industry veteran and Frostburg native, and serves buyers, sellers and renters in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

C21 adds military-focused affiliate in San Antonio area: Century 21 Real Estate has a new affiliate in the San Antonio, Texas, market: Century 21 Core Values, previously known as Core Values Realty Associates. The brokerage is led by Rockie Carter, a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran who, along with his staff, takes pride in the support and understanding they offer to military clients. Carter said he was attracted to the brand's international support network, since "a military career can bring a family anywhere at any time, and having this global connectivity can help us reach our intended audience."

ERA opens 'gateway office' in Seattle metro: ERA NexUS Global Realty is a new referral office specializing in cross-border transactions between the U.S. and 13 Asian countries. The office, based in Bellevue, Wash., is led by owner Jack Huang alongside Larry Eu and Lien Ma. Huang also has the master franchise rights for the ERA brand in Taiwan, while Eu and Ma are experienced broker/owners. ERA NexUS has also partnered with ERA Asia Pacific Center to represent the Singapore-based firm in North America. 

Coldwell Banker expands in the Caribbean: Coldwell Banker Island Affiliates, with more than a dozen offices throughout the Caribbean, has added a new location to its portfolio with the opening of its first branch on the island of Saint Barthélemy. Coldwell Banker Saint Barth is led by broker/owner Gabriel Montigny, who also owns a CB affiliate in the French Riviera. "The real estate market in Saint Barthélemy is thriving and has been evolving for decades," said Montigny. Prices are similar to luxury markets in the U.S., but the addition of "tropical charm" and the absence of income and corporate taxes make the island "a dynamic and attractive market, both for investment and personal use."