Brokerage Beat: Real nabs 3 teams + more brokerage news
Real Brokerage tops 24,000 agents with its latest additions, including a 550-agent California firm; plus news from Exit, The Agency, Elliman, C21 and 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.
Real tops 24,000 agents with addition of new teams
The Real Brokerage was on a roll this week. A Florida team and a boutique California firm aligned with the fast-growing company, but the biggest get was Harvest Realty — an independent brokerage with 550 agents that specializes in the Chinese community and investors — which joined under Real's Private Label program.
The additions pushed Real's agent count past 24,000, the company said.
Led by Christine Li and John Zhang, Harvest Realty has closed over 5,200 home sales worth $6.8 billion since it was founded in 2014, including 1,627 sales valued at $2.4 billion in 2024. Li and Zhang are a husband-and-wife duo with backgrounds in banking and real estate development and have built a reputation for guiding clients in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
"Christine and John's story is one of combining talent and passion to serve their community," Real President Sharran Srivatsaa said in the announcement.
Through Real's Private Label program, Harvest can utilize Real's tech platform, resources and compensation programs while maintaining its own brand.
Separately, Real announced the addition of The Burgman Group, which focuses on Florida's Space Coast.
The three-person team is led by real estate influencer and Navy veteran Shane Burgman, whose total sales have exceeded $200 million since he began his real estate career in 2015.
A former Nuclear Submarine Missile Technician, Burgman said that his decade of military service instilled the discipline and ethical standards that helped lead to his success. Drawing on personal experience with military relocations, he has become a trusted resource for veterans and active-duty families. At Real, Burgman will join the company's Military Division, which focuses on serving service members and their families.
"Shane's honesty and work ethic make him a standout in real estate," Srivatsaa said in the announcement.
And finally, boutique brokerage Craft & Bauer Real Estate Co. has also partnered with Real.
Founded in 2019 by Max Fitzgerald and Dominic Labriola, the 60-agent firm has sold over 865 homes totaling $512 million across California and Arizona.
The new partnership reflects a shared mission to empower agents with advanced technology while maintaining the high-touch service clients expect, the company said — aligning Craft & Bauer's S.T.R.I.V.E. philosophy of being Skilled, Trustworthy, Relatable, Innovative, Visionary, and Ethical with Real's "Work hard. Be kind." ethos.
"This move isn't just about growth; it's about evolution," said Labriola. "Joining Real provides our agents with tools to expand their businesses without losing our boutique culture."
More brokerage news
EXIT Realty's "Acceleration" goal in 2024 led the company to open 52 new offices across North America despite market challenges. Notable expansions include Alabama, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Ontario, Canada. With "Excellence" as its new guiding principle for 2025, EXIT plans to cultivate growth by partnering with skilled, people-focused leaders to navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape.
The Agency New York announced key leadership updates for 2025. Former Brown Harris Stevens executive Juliet Clapp, who brings more than $1 billion in transaction experience, joins as SVP and North East Managing Partner. Additionally, The Whitman Team, led by Tyler Whitman — who appears on Bravos' "Million Dollar Listing New York" — has elevated Ashlie Roberson to partner and rebranded as The Whitman Roberson Team.
Douglas Elliman's Cindy Orlinsky has announced the addition of Andrew Secular, the former owner of NYC's iconic Tortilla Flats, to her team. A known fixture of the city's restaurant scene, Secular brings over 35 years of business acumen and a client-first approach to his real estate career. Now based in South Florida, the former New Yorker is dedicated to helping clients find their perfect space, blending NYC energy with Miami enthusiasm, the company said.
Portside Real Estate Group has named Alyssa Bouthot as Agent Relations Manager for Greater Portland. With 15 years of real estate experience, including five at Portside, Alyssa will oversee 75 agents across Falmouth, Yarmouth and Cape Elizabeth, and will also support agent growth for the firm.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago has promoted Laura Thon to Assistant Managing Broker of its West Region. An award-winning broker with nearly $6 million in 2024 sales, Laura brings extensive experience and leadership and has held key roles in local Realtor organizations, earning accolades like the Chairman's Circle Gold Award. Laura will focus on supporting west suburban agents in achieving their goals and growing their careers.
Century 21 Real Estate announced its inaugural "30 Under 30" honorees, celebrating young agents for exceptional production, service, community impact and social media presence. The award highlights the next generation driving the brand's legacy of trust and innovation. CEO Michael Miedler said that the list is meant to emphasize "the invaluable role of a great sales professional within the journey to homeownership."