Brokerages are expanding into new markets, adding teams and investing in tools to help agents run their businesses. This week’s announcements include office openings, affiliations, leadership appointments and AI launches.

Compass opens Minnesota office, adds six-agent team

Compass has opened an office in downtown Excelsior, Minnesota, and welcomed Landing Collective, a six-agent team that reported more than $65 million in sales volume over the past 12 months. Its members are Tara Engebretson, Sue Hewitson, Natalie Williams, Laura Rasmussen, Thomas Randall and Haley Hewitson.

Compass also named Chris Muellenbach sales manager in Minnesota and Jen Gamez sales manager in Wisconsin. Both will support recruiting and agent development.

Century 21 affiliates with Queens brokerage

Century 21 Real Estate has added North Star Realty Associates in Fresh Meadows, Queens, to its network. Founded in 2012, the brokerage will operate as CENTURY 21 North Star.

Broker and owner Jayne Boehler, who became licensed in Florida in 2004 and New York in 2008, plans to expand the firm’s reach across New York City’s five boroughs and Long Island.

Baird & Warner launches unified agent platform

Chicago-based Baird & Warner has introduced BWCONNECT, a platform that brings listings, CRM tools, marketing resources, business intelligence and support services into one system.

Agents can use it to track pipelines, production and goals, and access market reports. BWCONNECT also connects with the brokerage’s existing technology, including its AI assistant, REMI.

Barron and Tessa Hilton join The Beverly Hills Estates

Barron N. Hilton and Tessa Hilton, former co-CEOs of Hilton Hilton, have moved from Compass to The Beverly Hills Estates. They reunite with brokerage leaders Rayni Williams and Branden Williams, with whom they worked at Hilton & Hyland in 2020.

The Hiltons bring approximately $200 million in property inventory, including listings in Los Angeles, Malibu and Santa Barbara.

Tampa Bay brokerage joins eXp Realty

Florida’s 1st Choice Realty has joined eXp Realty and will operate as 1st Choice Collective. Founded by Rene and Dana Carpena, the Greater Tampa Bay organization brings more than 70 agents and support staff to eXp.

The firm reported more than 325 transactions and $60 million in sales volume in 2025. Since 2021, it has completed more than 2,000 transactions totaling $470 million in documented sales volume. The founders plan to expand into additional states.

Carolyn Fugere named CEO of William Pitt – Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s

William Pitt – Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty has named Carolyn Fugere president and CEO, making her the first woman to lead the company in its 77-year history. She succeeds Paul Breunich, who is now executive chairman.

As co-president and chief sales officer, Fugere oversaw 31 offices and 1,100 sales advisers. During her five years in that role, the brokerage recorded its highest five-year closed sales volume. It serves markets in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.

Iowa brokerage joins The Real Brokerage

The Real Brokerage has added a 30-agent brokerage led by Cody Burger and Dennis Buchheit. Previously known as Unlimited, the Dubuque-based firm will operate as The Team.

The organization has completed approximately 5,000 transactions totaling $1.2 billion since 2020 and is on track to close 500 transactions in 2026. The addition extends Real’s presence across Iowa, Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

LoKation launches voice-powered AI assistant

LoKation Real Estate has partnered with Lundy to launch Jefe, an AI assistant that lets agents use voice or text commands across tools including BoldTrail CRM, MAXA Design and Sphere.

LoKation intends to use Jefe to reduce administrative work and assess how agents use its technology. The brokerage operates across six states.

Coffee & Contracts adds AI assistant

Coffee & Contracts has relaunched its marketing platform with Beans, an AI assistant designed to help agents plan social media content, capture leads and manage follow-up.

The platform serves more than 6,400 agents and combines content creation, landing pages and lead management. Founder and CEO Haley Ingram said Beans applies the company’s marketing methodology to help agents turn online engagement into business opportunities.

SERHANT. names Pennsylvania brokerage leader

SERHANT. has appointed Mishel Taylor managing director and principal broker of its Pennsylvania operations. Taylor joins from eXp Realty with more than two decades of experience in real estate finance, brokerage management and agent development.

She will oversee operations, compliance, recruiting and agent performance in Philadelphia and its Main Line suburbs.