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. and globally.
Chicago, NYC teams join Compass
Two high-producing teams have recently switched over to Compass.
In New York City, The Zweben Team has joined the brokerage, coming over from Douglas Elliman. Led by husband-and-wife duo Carolyn and Paul Zweben, the team has a career sales volume of $800 million.
“We are grateful to Douglas Elliman for the incredible journey we’ve shared over the past 23 years,” said the Zwebens in a joint statement. “As we look to the future, we are energized by the possibilities at Compass that align with our vision for long-term growth.”
The Zweben Team will be based out of Compass’ New York headquarters at 110 Fifth Avenue. It’s the third time in recent weeks that Compass in NYC has scooped up a team or agent from Elliman.
In Chicago, Natalie Ryan and Anna Fiascone joined the firm, coming over from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
At Berkshire Hathaway, the two had a sales volume of $36 million in the past year and $130 million in sales volume since their partnership began in 2020.
“We are thrilled to welcome Natalie and Anna to Compass Chicago,” said Fran Broude, Chicago regional vice president.
“This team’s distinctive background exemplifies Compass’s commitment to uniting diverse experiences for a forward-thinking future. We’re thrilled to welcome them into our community and eager to see their brilliance unfold.”
Woman-owned multi-office team joins C21
Realty World Adams & Associates of Berea, Kentucky, recently became affiliated with Century 21.
The firm’s two offices in Berea are led by the original founder, Sandy Adams, who has more than 22 years of experience in the real estate industry.
She also has a legal background, which she has leveraged to help clients with distressed and foreclosure properties.
The offices will now operate under the name Century 21 Pinnacle.
“Real estate is an ever-evolving industry which makes it that much more exciting to work with someone like Sandy who has experienced decades of success in her hometown market,” said Mike Miedler, president and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC.
“As Sandy says herself, much of this success comes from her ability to balance the industry know-how and the human touch. The Century 21 brand is based on the ideals of capable entrepreneurs who know how to best resonate with their local community and Sandy fits that mold perfectly.”
Tennessee brokerage reaches 300 agents in 3 months
Onward Real Estate, a locally owned brokerage led by Jenni Barnett in the Nashville, Tennessee area, has added more than 300 agents within ninety days of the company’s launch on June 1.
The independent firm was founded by former members of the state’s largest brokerage, Parks Real Estate.
“Our team is proud to specialize in Middle Tennessee — we live, work and play in these communities,” said Barnett, Onward CEO.
Due to the rapid growth of the firm since its launch, Onward has added an additional office in Green Hills, which will be overseen by Joni Miller as the managing broker. She joins the Onward leadership team consisting of Barnett, Scott Cornett, Dawne Davis, Matt Ligon and Danny Anderson, as well as backers Bob and Marie Parks.
In addition to the Green Hills location, Onward has offices in Cool Springs, Murfreesboro and Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston neighborhood.
BHGRE expands into Tacoma with merger
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team, with offices in Tumwater, Yelm and Chehalis, Washington, has acquired 253 Realty in Tacoma to expand the firm’s service area and market share in the state’s second-largest county.
253 Realty was founded by Shawn Viguerie in 2013. Before starting his own business, Viguerie served as a managing broker at another brokerage. Following the merger, Viguerie has assumed the role of managing broker for the Tacoma office.
The firm will now do business as Better Homes and Garden Real Estate Northwest Home Team out of their existing office.
Steve and Jessica Poulos established BHGRE Northwest Home Team in 2015. The brokerage serves the South Puget Sound area, focusing on Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, Mason and Grays Harbor Counties.
“We are thrilled to be part of real estate’s lifestyle brand,” said Viguerie. “As part of a larger firm, I can devote more time and attention to my clients, ensuring they have the best possible experience.”
Christie’s Real Estate lands in Singapore
Christie’s International Real Estate has announced its entry into the island nation of Singapore. The move reflects the firm’s increasing presence in Southeast Asia following its launch in Vietnam in May.
The new branch will specialize in luxury residential sales and assist with capital investments. The firm will be led by a Singapore-based duo, Harmeet Bedi and Dipika Bedi, alongside the owners of the Christie’s International affiliate in India, Himmat and Rohini Singh.
The Singhs each bring more than 25 years of luxury real estate experience, and the Bedis round out the operation with Harmeet Bedi’s three decades of banking and real estate investing experience, and Dipika Bedi’s 20-plus years of marketing and event management experience.
“Singapore is a tight-knit, highly capitalized, and brand-conscious luxury real estate market, with buyers and sellers who expect the highest level of service — exactly what Christie’s International Real Estate provides,” said Harmeet Bedi.
Added Himmat Singh: “The current dynamism and potential in Singapore’s luxury residential real estate market, combined with the increasing need for global investment opportunities from both individual and institutional capital based in Singapore, makes this the perfect time to reintroduce the Christie’s International Real Estate brand here.”