Compass has expanded its presence in Florida by bringing a 15-agent team, the New Wave Group, to Stuart on the Treasure Coast. The New York-based real estate brokerage, led by CEO Robert Reffkin, is adding agents who specialize in luxury residential properties across Martin, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties.
Sara Crombie leads the New Wave Group, which becomes Compass’ first team operating in the Treasure Coast region. According to Compass, the group has closed more than $500 million in sales. Agents joining Compass through this move include Catherine Hudzina, Dana Netska, Ellen Pentland, Gayle Sokoloff, Genece Singer, Jake Newman, Jennifer Heins, Judy Cialone, Laura Trombetta, Mike Davis, Nina Blum, Susan Freytes, Susan Slutsky and Will Gluckman.
The expansion comes as real estate brokerages have increased their activity in Florida since the pandemic prompted significant migration to the state and contributed to rising housing markets. Last year saw similar moves from competitors such as Keyes Company with its acquisition of a 24-agent brokerage in Fort Pierce.
Compass operates nationwide with over 33,000 agents and has invested heavily in mergers and acquisitions to increase its footprint. The company’s recent expansions in Florida include adding a 20-agent team in the Panhandle’s 30A region in 2022 (as reported by RealTrends), opening an office for 300 agents and staff in Downtown Naples earlier this year, and welcoming a 40-agent Korman Group into its Boca Raton office this July.
Beyond geographic growth efforts, Compass is involved in national disputes affecting real estate marketing practices. The firm is currently suing Zillow over private listing policies and announced it would no longer follow the National Association of Realtors’ Clear Cooperation Policy.
“Led by Sara Crombie, the team is Compass’ first in the Treasure Coast region,” according to a press release from Compass.
