Brokerage Beat: News from Compass, The Agency, C21, 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.

Top New York team joins Compass

One of Douglas Elliman's top agents has moved to Compass, bringing her high-performing team with her.

Holly Parker, an industry veteran with three decades of experience, has spent most of career at Elliman, tallying more than $10 billion in lifetime sales and consistently ranking as the firm's No. 1 or 2 agent, while the Holly Parker Team generates more than $500 million annually, according to a news release.

"The real estate industry is evolving faster than ever," Parker said, "and Compass offers the strategic vision, cutting-edge technology, and collaborative culture that will allow us to elevate our business and maximize opportunities for our clients." 

Moving to Compass, she added, would help the team "streamline operations, expand our reach, and continue setting new benchmarks in luxury real estate."

The Holly Parker Team has been involved in some of New York City's biggest luxury deals, Compass noted in the announcement, including the selling out of 10 Madison Square West, which beat price projections by 30% for a total of $850 million in sales volume.

The Agency opens 7th office in Pacific Northwest

Real estate brokerage The Agency recently announced the addition of a new office in Port Townsend, Washington, its third location in the state and seventh in the PNW region.

The Port Townsend office will be led by managing partners Mark Middleton and Suzy Legier-Middleton, who launched the firm's 2024 expansion into Bainbridge Island, located a short ferry ride from Seattle. 

Port Townsend, a Victorian-era town on the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, is a popular tourist destination and gateway to Olympic National Park.  Holley Carlson and Kristina Jennings will serve as managing directors.

"Mark, Suzy, Holley and Kristina are leading authorities in this region and we are confident they will continue to elevate the service and expertise for clients," said Mauricio Umansky, CEO and Founder of The Agency.

The Agency now has more than 130 corporately owned and franchise offices across 12 countries.

Century 21 adds firms in Tennessee, Utah, Texas

Century 21 Real Estate announced three new affiliations this week: Patterson Homes Real Estate, Lifestyle Real Estate and Running S Realty.

Patterson Homes Real Estate is a Black-owned firm with more than 70 agents across two offices in Memphis. It is led by Travis Patterson, who has been involved in millions of dollars worth of transactions, according to a news release.

"Our company has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, and I knew we were due for an upgrade to our systems and services," said Patterson. "I like to be hands-on and spend significant individual face time with every member of our firm in order to support them. By implementing the tools provided by the Century 21 brand, I get extra bandwidth to do just that, and my affiliated agents and clients get access to world-class offerings."

The firm is now operating as Century 21 Patterson & Associates Real Estate Co.

Lifestyle Real Estate is based in Orem, Utah, and owned and operated by Tawnya and Tony Krull.

Tawnya Krull, the firm's principal broker, has three decades of business experience and manages daily operations. Her husband Tony Krull is vice president and oversees finances and logistics.

In less than five years, the firm — now known as Century 21 Lifestyle Real Estate — has expanded its coverage across most of Utah, handling luxury, investment and traditional residential real estate. Bolstered by the affiliation with Century 21, the Krulls are eager to open a second office in the near future. 

Running S Realty, led by second-generation real estate broker Louise Stoever Baumann, is based in Stockdale, Texas, an agricultural region east of San Antonio. Baumann is a Stockdale native, and her family has lived in the state for seven generations.

The firm — a family business that includes Baumann's two sons — handles both residential and commercial transactions, while Baumann, according to a news release, is a "go-to resource for farm and ranch transactions" in the region. She is also credentialed as a Luxury Home Specialist.

The affiliation, Baumann said, "allows us to take our company to the next level, without fundamentally changing who we are." Her firm now operates as Century 21 Running S Realty.

More brokerage news

The Real Brokerage is continuing to grow in Canada, announcing that the independent Edmonton-based brokerage YEGPro Realty has joined its platform. Led by Jessie McCracken and Will Hickey, YEGPro adds 57 agents to Real's Alberta network, which now exceeds 1,000 agents. The firm, known for its strong mentorship culture, has closed $1.4 billion in sales since 2021. "Reaching the 1,000-agent milestone in Alberta underscores the strength of our community and our relentless focus on building the future of real estate together," Real President Sharran Srivatsaa said in the announcement.

NextHome has expanding its national franchise network with the recent launch of NextHome Partners in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Led by a collaborative, six-person co-ownership team, the brokerage offers expertise in residential real estate, including relocation and investment services. "A childhood friend is a NextHome brokerage owner, and he introduced me to the brand. What I saw helped me to know that this company is the right fit for the way our team wants to do business," Co-owner Matt Jernigan said in the announcement.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has welcomed Dream Partners to the national franchise, bolstering the brokerage's coverage of Southern Wisconsin. Led by Kevin and Renee Clark, the Janesville-based firm serves Dane, Green, Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth counties, specializing in luxury homes, land sales and investment properties. "Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is one of the most personable brands in the industry, and we feel extremely comfortable knowing that they will support us in our efforts," said Renee Clark. 

Douglas Elliman has added top agents Farid Moussallem and Cheryl Sangbush to its Florida teams. Moussallem, who has over 23 years of luxury real estate expertise and was most recently with ONE Sotheby's, joins the Miami Beach office as a sales executive for the Delmore in Surfside. Sangbush, previously with John's Island Real Estate, joins Michael Merrill's team in Vero Beach. A third-generation Vero Beach resident, she specializes in the Barrier Island market. Both agents enhance Douglas Elliman's presence in Florida's luxury sector, the company said. 

Christie's International Real Estate has partnered with Saudi real estate tech firm Wasalt to launch Christie's International Real Estate Saudi Arabia, catering to the Kingdom's growing luxury property market. Led by Nawfal al Khudhairy, the brokerage will provide high-end residential sales and benefit from Christie's global network, the company said. Fueled by the company's Vision 2030 sustainability and growth goals, the firm will represent elite developments, including Neptune Villas, enhancing Saudi Arabia's prominence in the global luxury market.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury has named Barbara McKee as co-manager of its flagship Greenwich, Connecticut, office, the company announced this week. McKee, formerly with Compass, will serve as branch vice president of community and growth, working alongside Barbara Hazelton, branch vice president of operations and culture. With nearly 35 years of experience in Greenwich real estate, McKee strengthens the firm's commitment to the community and Coldwell Banker Global Luxury's client experience in Greenwich.