Real estate firms hire, merge and expand into new markets

Real estate firms expand into new markets in waves, and the past several weeks brought one of the more active stretches this year. From a new chief executive at the District of Columbia Association of Realtors to a new affiliate launch in Abu Dhabi, brokerages, lenders, title agencies and associations across the country named executives, added agents and teams, and entered new markets.

Here are the details:

District of Columbia Association of Realtors

The District of Columbia Association of Realtors has named Leslie J. Frazier chief executive officer, the association announced. Frazier joins DCAR after serving as senior vice president of community and industry relations for Virginia Realtors, a state trade association representing nearly 33,000 members, according to DCAR. She previously held senior leadership roles in two Virginia gubernatorial administrations focused on public policy.

Frazier holds a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech and undergraduate degrees in government and Spanish from the University of Virginia, the association said.

“Leslie is an accomplished executive whose leadership reflects collaboration, strategic thinking and a deep commitment to serving members,” DCAR President Harrison Beacher said in a statement.

Vanguard Properties

Vanguard Properties has added Abio Properties to its brokerage, the companies announced. Abio, founded in 2016, served buyers and sellers throughout Oakland, Berkeley, Lamorinda, Walnut Creek and the broader East Bay and San Francisco, according to Vanguard. The Abio name will retire as its agents and clients move under the Vanguard brand.

Founded in 1986, Vanguard Properties is the largest independently owned real estate brokerage in the Bay Area, serving San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa and the East Bay, the company said.

“The future of independent real estate isn’t getting smaller, it’s getting stronger,” Vanguard Properties CEO and founder James Nunemacher said in a statement.

The Dane Arthur Real Estate Agency

The Dane Arthur Real Estate Agency and LakePlace.com have entered the Michigan real estate market, marking the company’s first expansion beyond Minnesota and Wisconsin, the brokerage announced.

The Hart Real Estate Team of Livonia, led by Managing Broker Wendy Hartunian, will lead the Michigan operation, according to the company. The team also includes Anthony LaRock, Robert Khzouz and Rodney Ross.

The Dane Arthur Agency has completed more than 8,000 transactions totaling more than $3 billion in closed sales over more than 20 years, the company said. LakePlace.com has operated as a marketplace for lake homes, cabins and waterfront properties in Minnesota and Wisconsin for more than two decades.

“Michigan was the natural next chapter for us,” Dane Arthur Agency co-founder David Gooden said in a statement.

Coldwell Banker Realty

Coldwell Banker Realty has named Brit Bertino branch manager of its San Francisco office, the company announced. Bertino will oversee more than 275 agents who closed more than $1.5 billion in sales volume in 2025, according to Coldwell Banker. Coldwell Banker Realty operates under Compass International Holdings (NYSE: COMP).

Bertino will focus on agent development and technology adoption as the company rolls out its Home Platform, the company said. The San Francisco office marks the birthplace of the Coldwell Banker brand, founded in 1906.

“As the city where Coldwell Banker was founded 120 years ago, San Francisco has long been a market that helps shape the future of real estate across the West Coast,” Coldwell Banker Realty West Coast Regional President Jennifer Lind said in a statement.

National Housing Conference

The National Housing Conference has named Nathan Shultz senior vice president of policy, the organization announced. Shultz brings nearly two decades of housing and mortgage finance experience, including senior roles at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, according to NHC. He also serves on the Virginia Housing Board of Commissioners.

“Nate brings an exceptional combination of housing policy expertise, operational experience and a deep commitment to expanding access to affordable housing,” NHC President and CEO David M. Dworkin said in a statement.

Westcor Land Title Insurance Company

Westcor Land Title Insurance Company has named Lisa Vesperman Still vice president and New England regional counsel, the company announced.

Still brings more than 30 years of experience in real estate law, title insurance and underwriting and will advise agents and attorneys throughout New England on insurability and closing-related risk, according to Westcor. She previously served as vice president and senior New England regional counsel for WFG National Title Insurance Company.

“Lisa’s addition to our New England team represents another important investment in our agents and the markets we serve,” Westcor Vice President and Regional Agency Manager Dawn Pereyo said in a statement.

Christie’s International Real Estate Thailand

Christie’s International Real Estate Thailand has opened an office in Phuket less than two years after launching in Bangkok, extending the luxury brand into one of Asia’s fastest-growing resort markets, according to the company. Christie’s International Real Estate operates as a distinct brand under Compass International Holdings.

The Thailand affiliate debuted in December 2024 under Head of Sales Chinnatatt Sirichanachai with backing from Bangkok-based Anvinest Development Partners and has represented projects including Porsche Design Tower and The Residences 38 in Bangkok, the company said.

Phuket villa sales volume grew more than 50 percent since 2023, according to Thailand-based research firms Bresi and C9 HotelWorks cited by the company. One of the affiliate’s first Phuket assignments is Anann Villas at Mira Valley, a 12-villa hillside collection priced from approximately $2.5 million to $4 million.

“International buyers continue to recognize Phuket as one of the most compelling luxury resort-home markets in Asia, and global demand is growing,” Sirichanachai said in a statement.

Engel & Völkers

Dawn Thomas has joined Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group after leaving Compass, Inc., Engel & Völkers Americas announced. Thomas has served Silicon Valley for more than 22 years and brings more than $675 million in career closed sales volume, according to the company. She will continue serving clients throughout Los Altos, Los Gatos and surrounding communities.

“This move was deliberate, not reactive,” Thomas said in a statement. “I found a global network built to support the kind of practice I want to keep building, not just the one I already have.”

“Dawn has built an extraordinary reputation in Silicon Valley through her market expertise, relationships and commitment to her clients,” said Paul Benson, license partner and owner of 41 Engel & Völkers franchised locations across the United States, in a statement.

Radian Group

Radian Group has named Mike Weinbach chief executive officer, completing a leadership transition announced in May, the company said. Weinbach also joined Radian’s board of directors and succeeds Rick Thornberry, who will serve as a strategic advisor through his retirement at the end of the year, according to Radian.

Weinbach spent 30 years in financial services leadership, most recently as president of Mr. Cooper Group, where he led the mortgage servicer through its acquisition by Rocket Companies in 2025, the company said. He also served as CEO of consumer lending at Wells Fargo and CEO of Chase Home Lending at JPMorgan Chase.

“Radian’s Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Mike to his new roles following a thoughtful and comprehensive transition process,” Radian Non-Executive Chairperson Howard Culang said in a statement.

SERHANT.

The Bogard Team, a luxury real estate and new development team at SERHANT. New York, has expanded into South Florida with more than $50 million in signed listings, the team announced. Evan Sophir, a Top 40 Under 40 Palm Beach Real Producer, and Shane Aronson, a solo agent with SERHANT. Florida since 2023, will lead the South Florida team, according to the company.

The team’s South Florida listings include a $15.45 million penthouse in Highland Beach and a $4.195 million penthouse in Sunny Isles Beach, the company said. The Bogard Team ranks among the top 10 large teams in New York City, according to SERHANT.

“Working with a team that has broad reach across multiple markets is an attractive offering for sellers and buyers alike,” Bogard Team co-founder Brandon Bogard said in a statement.

Mohr Partners

Mohr Partners has named Kam Schroeder president of brokerage, a newly created role, the Dallas-based corporate real estate advisory firm announced. Schroeder, a 20-year corporate real estate veteran, will oversee brokerage strategy across the firm’s 24 U.S. offices, according to the company. He joins from Newmark, where he served as executive vice president and managing director of the firm’s East Bay brokerage operations.

“Kam Schroeder represents the next generation of leaders who I am confident will drive the expansion of Mohr Partners’ brokerage business in the future,” Mohr Partners Chairman and CEO Robert Shibuya said in a statement.

Hawkins Way Capital

Hawkins Way Capital and joint venture partner Varde Partners have acquired 135 E. 12th St., a student housing property in Manhattan’s East Village, the companies announced. The deal marks Hawkins Way’s third Manhattan acquisition this year under its FOUND Study student housing platform, according to the company. The property, formerly Loeb Hall at The New School, will undergo renovations near New York University, The New School and other area colleges.

“We’ve long been looking for the right opportunity in this neighborhood, and this property represents an ideal addition to our portfolio,” Hawkins Way Capital Managing Partner Ross Walker said in a statement.

ERA Real Estate

ERA Real Estate has added Success Realty Experts, a women-led Denver brokerage founded in 2023, as its newest affiliate, the company announced. The brokerage will operate as Success Realty Experts ERA Powered under founder, CEO and broker/owner Jennifer Briseno, a 17-year industry veteran who earned her license after the 2008 housing market crash, according to ERA. ERA Real Estate is a subsidiary of Compass International Holdings.

The brokerage serves buyers, sellers and investors throughout the Denver metropolitan area, including Denver, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder and Broomfield, the company said. Briseno and her team plan to pursue organic recruitment, mergers and acquisitions, and a new office location within 12 months.

“In only a few short years as a broker/owner, Jennifer has already established an impressive reputation based on her commitment to serving others and promoting a client-focused culture,” former ERA Real Estate President Alex Vidal said in a statement.

Douglas Elliman

Douglas Elliman Development Marketing has been appointed exclusive sales firm for Greenview at Presidential, a 103-home luxury single-family estate community in Aventura, Florida, developers Lennar and BH Group announced. The gated community spans more than 100 acres and includes floor plans ranging from 4,324 to 5,828 square feet across two collections, according to the companies. Prices start at $2.6 million.

“Greenview at Presidential arrives at a time when the demand for well-located, turnkey single-family homes in South Florida remains incredibly strong, yet opportunities of this scale and caliber are increasingly rare,” said Jay Phillip Parker, chief executive officer of brokerage for the Florida region at Douglas Elliman and president of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, Florida, in a statement.

Mattamy Homes

Mattamy Homes has named Chris Lindhorst chief executive officer of its U.S. business, succeeding Keith Bass, who will retire effective Sept. 1, the company announced. Lindhorst, currently chief operating officer, joined Mattamy in February after more than 16 years at D.R. Horton, where he most recently served as regional president overseeing more than 13,000 annual home closings across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, according to the company. Bass led Mattamy Homes U.S. for six years.

“Keith has been an exceptional leader for Mattamy Homes U.S. during an important chapter in our company’s history,” Mattamy Homes Vice Chair Larry Nicholson said in a statement.

Luminate Bank

Luminate Bank has acquired select assets from First State Mortgage Services, with many members of the First State team joining Luminate, the bank announced. The deal expands Luminate’s presence across the Midwest and Central United States, according to the company.

First State holds the top market share position in Bloomington, Illinois, and its team includes CEO and President Rene Shaffer and Jeff Young, whose father founded the company that became First State Mortgage.

Luminate Bank ranks among the top 25 national mortgage lenders and holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 45,000 reviews, the company said.

“This is an important step forward for Luminate Bank and a powerful combination of two organizations that share the same fundamental values,” Luminate Bank Co-founder and President of Mortgage Lending Eric Lovins said in a statement.

Christie’s International Real Estate Abu Dhabi

Christie’s International Real Estate has launched a new affiliate in Abu Dhabi, owned by Jackie Johns and Dinesh Chhatwani, the team behind Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai, the company announced. Christie’s International Real Estate operates as a distinct brand under Compass International Holdings. Abu Dhabi residential sales reached $23.4 billion in the first half of 2026, up 163.7 percent year over year, according to the company, citing its own market data.

Johns and Chhatwani previously built Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai into the brand’s 2025 Affiliate of the Year, the company said.

“We’ve had a front-row seat to the extraordinary evolution of luxury real estate in the UAE, and we believe Abu Dhabi is entering a defining period,” Johns said in a statement.

Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno

Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno has opened its 20th office in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, marking the brokerage’s 20th anniversary, the company announced. Christie’s International Real Estate operates as a distinct brand under Compass International Holdings.

Founded in 2006 by Chief Executive Officer Chris Trapani and Chief Experience Officer Ryan Iwanaga, Sereno has grown to more than 650 agents and produced $6.5 billion in sales volume in 2025, with $7.4 billion projected for 2026, according to the company.

The new Carmel office will be led by Simona Martin, who previously worked for Christie’s Sereno on the Monterey Peninsula, the company said. Per-agent productivity grew from $8.5 million in 2024 to $10 million in 2025, and the brokerage’s Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation has donated more than $7 million to more than 600 organizations since 2012, according to the company.

“By combining our hyper-local knowledge with the global reach of Christie’s International Real Estate, Christie’s Sereno is strongly positioned for success in our third decade,” Trapani said in a statement.

Proper Title

Proper Title has hired Kerry Walsh as commercial operations and underwriting manager, the Chicago-based title agency announced. Walsh brings more than 20 years of legal, underwriting and litigation experience and will oversee complex commercial transactions nationwide, according to the company. Proper Title operates as part of the Compass, Inc. ecosystem, according to the company.

Most recently, Walsh served as national underwriting counsel for a commercial underwriter in Chicago. She previously spent more than 15 years in real estate litigation, including as vice president and litigation counsel with a national underwriter, the company said.

“Kerry’s depth of experience on both the underwriting and litigation sides of the title business makes her an exceptional addition to our commercial team,” said Kim O’Donnell, executive vice president of business development at Proper Title, in a statement.

Michael Saunders & Company

Michael Saunders & Company has added Sarah Schneider to its St. Petersburg, Florida, office, the brokerage announced. Schneider spent 22 years as a dental assistant before entering real estate and lived in North Carolina, Atlanta, California and Charleston before settling in St. Petersburg, according to the company.

“Sarah’s commitment to personalized service, professionalism and relationship building reflects the values that have defined Michael Saunders & Company for 50 years,” Managing Broker Marc Caldarone said in a statement.

Portside Real Estate Group

Portside Real Estate Group has added Lily LaCasse to its Southern Maine team, the brokerage announced. LaCasse, a Portland native, began her real estate career in 2023 while earning a marketing and management degree at the University of Maine, according to Portside. She will serve buyers and sellers throughout Southern Maine.

“Lily is someone who genuinely enjoys helping people, and that comes through in everything she does,” Portside Agent Relations Manager Alyssa Bouthot said in a statement.

David Weekley Homes 

David Weekley Homes has named chief financial officer and Julian Duncan its first chief marketing officer, the company announced. Zylman founded Grey Owl Partners in 2019 and previously served as president and CEO of Sunland Capital, according to the company. He succeeds longtime CFO Heather Humphrey, who is retiring after 33 years with the company and will continue in an advisory role.

Duncan most recently served as chief marketing and strategy officer for the Houston Rockets and previously held the same role with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the company said. He also spent more than a decade with Nike and Under Armour.

“Adam and Julian bring tremendous experience that will be valuable as we continue to grow David Weekley Homes,” David Weekley Homes CEO Jay Brown said in a statement.

Smith & Associates Real Estate

Smith & Associates Real Estate has added Helle Hartley to its St. Petersburg, Florida, office, the Tampa Bay brokerage announced. Hartley brings 32 years of experience representing buyers and sellers throughout St. Petersburg, Treasure Island and the surrounding Gulf Beaches, according to the company. She closed more than $55 million in sales volume across 72 transaction sides in 2025, ranking among the top-producing agents in Treasure Island.

Originally from Herning, Denmark, Hartley moved to the United States more than 25 years ago, the company said. She has earned industry distinctions including Century 21 Centurion honors.

“Helle has built an impressive business by combining market expertise with the kind of personal service and integrity that clients remember,” Smith & Associates Real Estate Managing Broker Nikki Phillips said in a statement.

“I researched a number of brokerages before making this decision, and Smith stood out for both its reputation and the resources behind its agents,” Hartley said in a statement.

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