Brokerage Beat: News from eXp, Real, E&V, The Agency, Christie's 

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.

eXp gains nearly 200 agents in Miami, Utah

eXp Realty announced two recruiting wins in the past week with the addition of Miami's ONEPATH Realty and the Utah Life Real Estate Group.

ONEPATH, an independent brokerage led by Abel Gilbert, has closed nearly $1.8 billion in sales since 2018, according to a news release. In 2024, the firm's 102 agents collectively closed more than $187 million in sales volume on 312 units.

"This is an exciting new chapter for us," said Gilbert. "I've always been passionate about providing my agents with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. eXp offers unmatched resources that empower agents to build not just successful careers, but lasting legacies."

In addition to leading his brokerage, Gilbert has recently served as a Zillow Agent Advisory Board member, past president of NAHREP South Florida and residential governor for the Miami Association of Realtors.

Meanwhile, Utah Life Real Estate Group leader Spring Bengtzen has moved her team of 90+ agents to eXp after nearly four years at Real. The team closed $316 million in sales on 665 transactions in 2024, according to eXp.

A 20-year industry veteran, Bengtzen's experience spans many facets of real estate. In addition to leading her team, she owns title and mortgage companies and is a growth-focused motivational speaker, founder of a coaching firm and co-leader of a women's empowerment community.

"I thrive in environments that push me," Bengtzen said of her decision to join eXp. "I'm eager to immerse myself in a space where I'm the small fish in a big pond. eXp is home to some of the highest-performing teams in the industry, and I can't wait to grow, learn, and level up alongside them."

Real hits 25,000-agent milestone

A recent surge in new agents has propelled The Real Brokerage over the 25,000-agent threshold. A year ago, the firm's agent count was less than 14,000.

The milestone is a reflection of Real's momentum throughout the past year. Nearly 1,000 agents joined Real each month in 2024, with January 2025 on track to be the fastest growth month in the brokerage's history, according to a news release — due in part to the recent addition of Spyglass Realty and its 140 agents. 

"Our mission and our vision from Day 1 has been to make agents' lives better. I'm thankful to our leadership team and the Real employees who wake in the morning and go to sleep at night with our agents in mind," said Tamir Poleg, Real's founder, chairman and CEO. "Although 25,000 feels like a big number, we are just getting started, and their partnership and the trust they have placed in Real means everything."

The brokerage is now in all 50 states and four Canadian provinces. Real has a proprietary software platform and has introduced several agent-focused programs in the past year that allow independent brokerages and teams to easily join and maintain their brands, according to the firm.

E&V Gestalt Group names Bay Area president

Payton Stiewe, a founding member and leader of Bay Area operations for Christie's, has joined Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group San Francisco as president.

The Gestalt Group is the brand's largest franchise, with locations across seven Western U.S. states.

Stiewe has more than two decades of experience in the region's luxury real estate market, and in his new role, will be tasked with expanding the company's market share in Northern California, according to a news release. The appointment, he said, "is an opportunity to continue raising the bar for Bay Area real estate in fresh and exciting ways."

"Payton's passion for people and his ability to create authentic connections set him apart," said Paul Benson, Gestalt Group president and CEO.

"He understands that real estate is about more than properties — it's about the stories, the relationships, and the trust that make every interaction meaningful," Benson added. "We couldn't be more excited to have him lead our San Francisco presence into an exciting new chapter."

The Agency opens 6th Florida office

Luxury brokerage The Agency is expanding in the Sunshine State with a new office in Miramar Beach, Florida, at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Known as The Agency Sandestin, the office will be led by managing partner Sara Becnel, who has worked in various capacities at the resort since 2012, according to her bio. In 2023, she was named president of Sandestin Investments, LLC, and a year later, became the majority owner of Sandestin Real Estate before rebranding with The Agency.

"We're thrilled to partner with Sara Becnel and continue to strategically grow our presence in Florida with like-minded partners," said Mauricio Umansky, CEO and founder of The Agency. 

"Expanding into this thriving market was a natural evolution for us, as Sandestin and Miramar Beach embody the lifestyle and community our clients seek. We're thrilled to bring The Agency's world-class service and innovative approach to this stunning destination."

Christie's expands into Yucatan Peninsula

Christie's International Real Estate has reached an agreement with a local brokerage firm, Mexico Real Estate Group, to bring the brand into the Yucatan Peninsula.

Founded by Jason Waller in 2005, the brokerage is now operating as Christie's International Real Estate Mexico Luxury Properties. The firm and its 16 multilingual agents will serve resort areas and second-home destinations in the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatan, including Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum. 

According to Waller, the vast majority of his clients come from the U.S., followed by Canada. Demand has been growing, he noted, in conjunction with the completion of major infrastructure projects like the 967-mile Maya train and a new international airport.

"We have been in this market for a long time and have built the most professional international team. But Christie's International Real Estate will help us take our brand recognition to the next level and really highlight our expertise in luxury real estate," Waller said in a news release.

Christie's International Real Estate is in nearly 50 countries and was recently acquired by Compass.