The industry shuffle continues, with teams and brokers going independent or returning to their roots. Here are updates from HomeSmart, The Agency and others.
Every day, Inman gets a slew of announcements about big teams and industry leaders making moves from one company to another. It’s more than we can cover!
So, here are some of the biggest announcements for the week of Jan. 5:
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate: Oahu indie Refined Real Estate LLC has joined BHGRE. Broker-owners Eric Yamamoto and Dennis Noah-Casison will continue to lead the firm, which will operate as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Refined. Their specialities include military relocations, new construction and luxury.
Compass: Nearly eight years after leaving Compass, NYC-based broker Lindsay Barton Barrett is returning to her roots. Barton Barrett has more than $2 billion in lifetime sales, leads the No. 1 small team in Brooklyn, and specializes in townhouse market and new development 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 broker Kasey Jorgenson is going independent. Under KW, the Jorgenson Group was ranked as the second-largest team in Austin from 2019 to 2023 and raked in $75 million in sales in 2025. His firm will operate as Jorgenson Real Estate.
HomeSmart: Industry veteran Phil Sexton has joined HomeSmart. Sexton, who has held several 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 uplifting agents, and we believe that HomeSmart’s culture and community will only serve to strengthen that foundation,” HomeSmart President Stacey Onnen said.
Metro MLS: Metro MLS has appointed Chris Lambrou as its new chief executive officer. Lambrou has served as the Milwaukee-based multiple listing service’s interim CEO since April, when former CEO Chris Carrillo stepped down. Lambrou has nearly 30 years of MLS industry experience and joined Metro MLS in 2016 as its 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 gained notoriety through Netflix hit “Selling Sunset.”
Stanaland’s lifetime sales volume tops $4.5 billion, continuing a 107-year-old family legacy in Orange County, California, real estate. “Honesty, integrity, and a never-yielding tenacity have always made up the core of my business,” he said. “The Agency embodies these principles, which is why I have aligned with 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 brokers, building on a 45-year family real estate legacy.
“For decades, Landmark IV Realty has operated with a foundation of honesty, integrity, and good-faith negotiations. We are deeply committed to delivering the same exceptional service and meaningful support,” the duo said. “Our partnership with Keyes will continue to enhance the opportunities available to both our clients and agents with even more resources to succeed.”
