Brokerage Beat: News from eXp, Christie's, Compass, CB 

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.

Washington state indie joins eXp

Spokane-based 4 Degrees Real Estate has made the move to eXp. The independent firm, which generated over $306 million last year, adds 35 new agents to the cloud-based brokerage.

Brothers Joel and Jordan Tampien founded 4 Degrees in 2015, and Steve James joined as a co-owner one year later. The trio said that they "weren't looking to make a change just for the sake of it" but after learning more about the company, "it became clear that this partnership would give our agents access to cutting-edge technology, unparalleled collaboration, and long-term financial benefits that an independent brokerage simply couldn't replicate," the 4 Degrees leaders said in a joint statement. 

"We are confident that this move will help our agents scale their businesses while maintaining the values that built 4 Degrees in the first place," they added.

eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja welcomed the new firm, noting that 4 Degrees' "decision to join us speaks volumes about the value we provide, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish by leveraging the eXp platform."

2 brokers join forces under Christie's banner

Florida-based brokers Beau Blankenship and Jacob Watkins, who have each led successful brokerage companies serving the northwest coast, are teaming up to launch Christie's International Real Estate Emerald Coast, a new Christie's affiliate.

Blankenship has generated over $2 billion in sales volume since starting his own brokerage in 2018, which was previously affiliated with Engel & Völkers. Watkins, whose firm merged with Corcoran Reverie in 2020, was responsible for more than $1 billion of the $4 billion in total sales brokered by Reverie in the past five years. Their new joint venture will include 130 agents and cover the upscale 30A region of the Florida panhandle.

Blankenship said the move will help his team meet the rising "expectations for a greater breadth and depth of services" of the Emerald Coast's growing market. Christie's "gives us the brand, the network and the technology to serve this market better than we ever have and to do so well into the future," he said.

Blankenship and Watkins will also lead the newly formed Blankenship | Watkins Advisory Group, which will operate as part of the affiliate. Their team has already reported over $10 million in sales volume and will launch with over $265 million in listings.

Billion-dollar NYC agent moves to Compass

Eileen Foy, a veteran broker with more than 30 years of New York City sales experience, is bringing her team of three into the fold at Compass.

Foy has generated over $1 billion in sales volume throughout her career and was previously an award-winning broker at Douglas Elliman.

Foy expressed gratitude for the support she had at her former company but said her decision ultimately came down to Compass' "intuitive and innovative" technology. Foy said she "felt that in order to serve our clients best, it was time to make the switch," adding in a statement that her move "is all about ensuring we continue to provide the best possible service for both our clients and myself."

Foy and her Manhattan-based team "will continue to serve a diverse range of clients," including first-time and luxury buyers alike, Compass said, with a focus on properties in the Upper East Side, Midtown, Chelsea, the West Village and the Upper West Side.

2 Denver teams join Coldwell Banker

Colorado's The New Door Group and The Ceretto Group are both moving to Coldwell Banker Realty from Compass. The Denver-based teams are aiming to "enhance their service offerings and expand their reach" in the area, Coldwell Banker said.

 Amy Ballain, who has worked as a licensed Realtor since 2005 and has more than 31 years of industry experience, leads The New Door Group with her husband Sean. She said the "reputation, global reach, and exceptional marketing tools" at Coldwell Banker "align perfectly with our commitment to providing unparalleled service to our clients." The team includes 14 agents and a director of operations.

 Meanwhile, The Ceretto Group's four-person team is known for "its deep roots in the community" and "passion for matching clients with their perfect homes," according to Coldwell Banker. The team, which has more than three decades of combined experience, is led by Kris Ceretto, who has worked in the industry since 2007. 

"Coldwell Banker Realty's Global Luxury program and positive environment provide us with the tools and support needed to continue delivering exceptional results for our clients," Ceretto said.

More brokerage news

Coldwell Banker Warburg has added two new agents in New York City. Veronique Perrin, who has a background in marketing and design, brings years of experience working with clients in Manhattan, the Hamptons and upstate New York. Jarrod Duncan has transitioned to real estate following a two-decade career in finance and commercial banking.

The Agency is expanding its footprint in the Northeast with the addition of its ninth New York office in North Fork, Long Island. Michael Smith and Donald Mastroianni — who are already managing partners for the brokerage's New York offices in Long Island and Brooklyn, in addition to The Agency Fairfield County in Connecticut — will fill the same roles at the new location. "The Agency has seen tremendous success across Long Island, and we're eager to bring that momentum to yet another thriving market," Mastroianni said.

Engel & Völkers is delving deeper into the luxury ski market by opening a new shop in Breckenridge, a popular winter sports destination in Colorado. Jim Cavoto and Robert Tait will lead the shop as license partners. Cavoto and Tait previously "delivered outstanding service and results to their clients" while working in the company's Denver shop, according to Engel & Völkers Americas President and CEO Stuart Siegel.