Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has merged three firms with a combined 1,100 agents across 22 offices in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The deal unites Maturo, Dream Properties and Realty Connect USA under a single banner. Albert Faiola and Frank Stimiloski, who co-owned BHGRE Maturo, will lead the combined company. The other two brokerages’ leadership teams will stay on in local roles. The new footprint stretches from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Westhampton, New York, the firm said.
“This combination brings together experienced leadership across three states and creates a stronger platform for our affiliated agents and clients,” Stimiloski said in a statement. He noted the firms have more than 150 years of combined experience. Affiliated agents will keep access to the BHGRE brand’s training, marketing and luxury real estate resources.
Donald Brennan, an Engel & Völkers license partner and brokerage
The Agency has opened its first office in Belize, expanding its Central American presence.
The new location will be called The Agency Belize, led by Managing Partners Dean Astren and Kim Astren. Dean Astren has more than 27 years in engineering, construction and development. Kim Astren has worked across Caribbean and Central American real estate markets. The firm now has over 180 offices across 17 countries.
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Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky said the timing “couldn’t be better” for entering Belize.
“What draws buyers here is something you can’t manufacture; pristine coastline, incredible biodiversity, a favorable investment climate, and a quality of life that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the region,” he said.
Belize has drawn growing interest from international buyers seeking lifestyle and investment opportunities, the firm noted.
ERA Real Estate has added Hunter of Homes, LLC to its franchise network. The brokerage, founded in 2010 by Josh Austin, will now operate as Hunter of Homes ERA Powered. It serves southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon with two Idaho offices — in Star and New Plymouth — and one in Ontario, Oregon. The operation handles residential real estate, new construction, acreage, investments and agricultural properties.
Austin said the affiliation lets the brokerage keep its local identity while gaining ERA’s technology, marketing and professional development resources. It plans to more than double its agent count over the next 18 months through recruiting and acquisitions along the Interstate 84 corridor, including near Boise, Twin Falls and in Logan, Utah.
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“In our work, we like to view ourselves as neighbors helping neighbors,” Austin said.
Villager Realty, a Chicago-area brokerage founded in 1991, has brought its 20 agents back into the REMAX network by joining REMAX Premier. Broker/Owner Dan Crouch led the
Compass has added luxury real estate advisor Jorge Salazar in its South Miami office. The Miami native was formerly with Douglas Elliman and has over a decade of experience in South Florida. He has a career sales volume of over $250 million, with over $60 million in closed sales in 2025, the firm reported. Salazar called joining Compass “a natural next step.”
Douglas Elliman has added Aspen luxury agent Maureen Stapleton to its Colorado operations. Stapleton has over three decades of experience focused on Aspen, Snowmass, Snowmass Village, Aspen Highlands and the Roaring Fork Valley. She closed $99.25 million in sales in 2025. Stapleton praised Elliman’s “luxury platform, global reach and commitment to excellence.”
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate has appointed Jeffrey Piipponen as broker of its Marco Island office in Florida. He has more than 20 years of brokerage leadership experience in Southwest Florida and the Florida Keys. Piipponen most recently worked as a sales manager at Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Cos.
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President Corey McCloskey said Piipponen’s experience “will be an asset” to the office.
Portside Real Estate Group has introduced its second mentorship cohort of 2026. The program supports newly licensed agents through one-on-one coaching.
The newest cohort includes Mikala Brown, Phoebe Carlson, Shelby Casey, Chris Faulhaber, Brianna Heffernan, Kim Huard and Katelyn Sevigney. Each has been paired with an experienced mentor.
Portside said the program’s growth reflects its focus on agent development across Maine and New Hampshire.
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