Opportunity knocks: This week’s sector is hiring and relocating
The industry shift continues, with teams and agents becoming independent or returning to their roots. Here are updates from HomeSmart, The Agency and others.
Every day, Inman gets a slew of announcements about major teams and industry leaders moving from one company to another. It’s more than we can cover!
Here are some of the biggest announcements for the week of January 5:
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate: Oahu indie Refined Real Estate LLC has joined BHGRE. Brokerage owners Eric Yamamoto and Dennis Noah-Casison will continue to lead the company, which will operate as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Refined. Their specialties are military relocations, new construction and luxury.
Compass: Nearly eight years after leaving Compass, New York-based real estate agent Lindsay Barton Barrett is returning to her roots. Barton Barrett has total revenues of over $2 billion, leads the #1 small team in Brooklyn and specializes in townhome and new construction sales.
Compass CEO Robert Reffkin celebrated the broker’s return, saying, “Her deep knowledge of the New York City market and proven expertise make her an exceptional partner.”
Going Indie: After 16 years at Keller Williams, Austin-based real estate agent Kasey Jorgenson is going independent. Under KW, Jorgenson Group ranked as the second-largest team in Austin from 2019 to 2023, raking in $75 million in revenue in 2025. His company will operate as Jorgenson Real Estate.
HomeSmart: Industry veteran Phil Sexton has joined HomeSmart. Sexton, who has held various leadership roles at John Hall & Associates, Realty ONE Group and eXp Realty, will lead a new real estate team, NEXT. “Phil’s expertise is a testament to his commitment to empowering agents, and we believe HomeSmart’s culture and community will only serve to strengthen that foundation,” said HomeSmart President Stacey Onnen.
Metro MLS: Metro MLS has appointed Chris Lambrou as its new CEO. Lambrou has been interim CEO of the Milwaukee-based multi-listing service since April, when former CEO Chris Carrillo resigned. Lambrou has nearly 30 years of experience in the MLS industry and joined Metro MLS in 2016 as Chief Information Officer.
The Agency: After three years at Douglas Elliman, John Stanaland is moving his team, The John Stanaland Group, to The Agency’s Corona Del Mar office. The John Stanaland Group has six agents, including Stanaland’s son Tyler, who rose to fame with the Netflix hit “Selling Sunset.”
Stanaland’s total sales volume exceeds $4.5 billion, continuing a 107-year family legacy in real estate in Orange County, California. “Honesty, integrity and unwavering tenacity have always been at the core of my work,” he said. “The Agency embodies these principles and that is why I have joined this innovative company.”
The Keyes Company: The Keyes Company has expanded its Hollywood, Florida office with the addition of The Landmark IV Group, led by Janie and Amy Berman. The mother and daughter have become two of South Florida’s top real estate agents, building on a 45-year family history in real estate.
“For decades, Landmark IV Realty has operated on the basis of honesty, integrity and good faith negotiations. We are deeply committed to providing the same exceptional service and meaningful support,” the duo said. “Our partnership with Keyes will continue to expand the opportunities available to both our clients and agents, with even more resources to succeed.”
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