Brokerage Beat: News from eXp, RE/MAX, KW, @properties 

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 nabs another billion-dollar team

Justin Kiliszek has moved his Northern New Jersey team to eXp after decade-long stints at both RE/MAX and Keller Williams. 

The team, which includes 16 agents and three staff, has collectively closed more than $1 billion in sales volume with 3,000+ homes sold. Last year, they did more than $80 million in sales. The announcement comes on the heels of two other recruiting wins for eXp, including the addition of the 102-agent ONEPATH team, which has achieved nearly $1.8 billion in total sales.

Kiliszek has earned several real estate certifications, and in addition to traditional residential sales, he has extensive experience with REO properties and short sales.

"eXp Realty's cloud-based platform offers the kind of flexibility and efficiency that traditional brokerages just can't match," Kiliszek said. "The ability to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and tap into revenue-sharing and equity programs is exactly what my team and I need to scale our business and focus on what we do best — serving our clients."

RE/MAX merger unites 240 agents in Colorado

Two prominent RE/MAX franchises in Southern Colorado have joined forces to maximize market share in the region, the company announced this week.

RE/MAX Properties and RE/MAX Advantage, with 240 combined agents across seven offices in Colorado Springs and beyond, are now doing business under the newly formed parent company CO Real Estate, Inc.

RE/MAX Properties is owned by Tony and Brooke Clement and has been a family-run business since 1986. Tony Clement began his real estate career 25 years ago, joining his father as a sales associate at the firm. He became co-broker/owner in 2015. Brooke Clement came on board in 2004, supporting marketing and operations, and will continue to work in that capacity in the merged business.

RE/MAX Advantage was founded in 1997 and purchased by Scott and Traci O'Connor three years ago after many years at the firm. Traci O'Conner joined in 2003 following a career as a gymnastics coach, while Scott O'Conner transitioned to real estate after 20 years in the Air Force, joining RE/MAX Advantage in 2017.

"We are stronger and better together," said Scott O'Conner. "Our shared vision and professional standards will better support our agents and communities we serve. By joining forces, we amplify the RE/MAX brand in Southern Colorado and will have #1 local market share." 

Bilingual Seattle-area firm joins KW

Maggie Real Estate, a team based in Bellevue, Washington, has affiliated with Keller Williams after five years with RE/MAX. The brokerage's six agents and five staff members are now part of KW Bellevue, serving the greater Seattle area. 

Maggie Sun, the team's founder and managing broker, began her real estate career nearly nine years ago after moving to the Pacific Northwest from Shanghai, China. She is fluent in Mandarin and English and has experience working with international buyers and investors.

Her team, now operating as Maggie Real Estate Group, a KW-affiliated real estate team, closed nearly $180 million in sales last year. 

Sun said the decision to join KW was based in part on her respect for "Gary Keller and his best-selling books, which have been a real inspiration for our industry and my business." She also noted that KW's fee structure was a good fit based on the size of her team. 

"We are honored to partner with Maggie and her team as we work together to create extraordinary opportunities and make a lasting impact on our community," said Yassi Jazayeri, operating principal at KW Bellevue.

Top Chicago team joins @properties Christie's

Zak Knebel has returned to @properties after five years at Berkshire Hathaway, bringing his six-agent team back to the Chicagoland powerhouse.

The ZK Group, whose agents have 100+ years of combined real estate experience, closed more than $41 million in transactions in 2024. Knebel, a Chicago-area native, has been in the industry for nearly 20 years and was previously an agent with @properties Christie's International Real Estate from 2017 to 2020. 

"@properties Christie's International Real Estate has emerged as the leading real estate company in the western suburbs, and I'm excited to rejoin the firm," Knebel said. 

The team, which includes Camille Hoover, Victoria Witt, Jeanette Madock, Alice Fox McMahon and Jeffrey O'Connor, serves the Oak Park/River Forest/Forest Park market area, where they "have built an amazing reputation and track record," said Jacqui Malizia, managing broker for the firm's Oak Park office.

Christie's Sereno adds Silicon Valley duo

Christie's International Real Estate Sereno, which bills itself as the largest 100% independently owned and operated brokerage in Northern California, has built on its recent return to independence by adding a leading Silicon Valley team.

The Gummow Brothers Team, led by Brandon and Nick Gummow, will add its $50 million in annual sales volume to Christie's Sereno, which topped $5.5 billion in 2024. The brothers formed the team in 2019 and specialize in luxury home sales. 

"This team represents the highest caliber of professionalism, collaboration, and commitment to their clients, said Chris Trapani, co-founder and CEO of Christie's Sereno. "Their shared values of integrity, innovation, and community align seamlessly with our culture."

CIRE Sereno's move to independence unfolded earlier this month. The brokerage bought back all of its stock to separate itself from the Compass acquisition of @Properties. In the past year, the firm has established itself as a leading presence in Northern California's Wine Country and Bay Area. 

More brokerage news

Tevas Real Estate Group, led by a Navy veteran and a veteran of the Greater Houston real estate community, has aligned with Century 21. Jose Torres and Louis Vargas founded and together lead the firm, now known as Century 21 Tevas, and praised the reliability of the C21 brand. "We strive to be that same reliable resource for our clients," Torres said.

Brands by Integra, a real estate network with 1,900 agents and multiple Century 21 and Coldwell Banker franchises across 12 states, has named Ardie Vargas and Deborah Coley as its regional vice presidents of sales in Texas. Vargas will focus on the Kerrville and Fredricksburg markets and Coley on San Antonio.

Christie's International Real Estate is partnering with a top local development sales team to open a luxury-focused office in Bangkok, with plans to open a second Thailand office in Phuket later this year and additional offices in the future. This is the second global expansion announcement from Christie's in two weeks, following the recent news of the brand's entry into the Yucatan Peninsula.

Coldwell Banker Warburg is building out its new office in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, which launched in late December, with the addition of broker Jacob Wood. A 10-year real estate veteran, Wood has closed nearly 100 transactions totaling more than $83 million.