LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA– APRIL 14, 2026 – SERHANT., today announced its expansion into California, launching across Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, San Francisco, and Tahoe as part of its rapid national growth. Founded by Ryan Serhant, star and executive producer of Netflix’s hit series Owning Manhattan, the brokerage has quickly become one of the most recognizable brands in modern real estate, redefining how homes are sold through its AI-first model, media-driven approach, and unmatched digital reach. With more than 10 million followers, SERHANT. is the most followed real estate brand in the world.
The company enters California with its biggest market opening yet by sales volume, with an elite roster of agents who have collectively closed more than $2 billion in real estate sales over the past 12 months. The expansion establishes SERHANT.’s presence across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, and Tahoe, bringing the brand’s next-generation platform and national visibility to some of the country’s most exclusive luxury real estate markets.
The California launch follows SERHANT.’s entrance into Massachusetts in January of this year and marks the company’s 16th state since it first expanded outside of New York in 2023, underscoring continued momentum as the brand scales its footprint across the U.S. SERHANT. differentiates itself with a forward-thinking, agent-first model: rather than acquiring agents or brokerages, it identifies strong local principals and organically builds high-performing markets around them. With a philosophy of “people first, culture second, sales volume third,” SERHANT. emphasizes sustainable growth, community focus, and innovation. From its proprietary AI platform, S.MPLE, to its in-house creative agency ID Lab, and content production through SERHANT. Studios, the company provides agents with tools to scale, reach wider audiences, and deliver unparalleled client experiences.
“The demand for SERHANT. in California made this move inevitable,” said Ryan Serhant, Founder and CEO. “Agents today do not want a legacy brokerage with an antiquated model where everyone blends in - they want to stand out, with a platform that drives business, builds their brand, and gives them leverage through the best tools in the business. That’s what we’ve built. We’re not expanding because we want to, we’re expanding because the market is asking us to. California is one of the most competitive real estate environments in the world, and we're excited to be here!”
SERHANT. California is led by Ezra Leyton as Managing Director and Principal Broker, State of California, and will be based out of the firm’s Beverly Hills location. A 23-year veteran of the real estate industry, Leyton brings deep expertise in luxury residential and commercial real estate, capital markets, and alternative investments. He most recently served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of MARQUIS Commercial Properties and Executive Director, Head of North America Operations for MARQUIS Capital Management, overseeing acquisitions, asset management, and strategic investment initiatives across multi-billion-dollar portfolios. Throughout his career, Leyton has sold more than $2.5 billion in residential and commercial properties, recruited and trained over 300 agents and brokers, and advised high-net-worth and institutional clients including Credit Suisse, Pretium Partners, Angelo Gordon, RBS, UBS, and Goldman Sachs.
“The future of real estate is held in your hand - being able to place your home within reach of millions of potential clients at the click of a button. There is only one brokerage that embodies an experienced-based approach to real estate, which is SERHANT. Our vision and goals align in bringing the very best in residential and commercial real estate investments to our clients across the globe,” said Leyton. “SERHANT is leading the way in advanced AI-enhanced search technology, media-rich marketing and an expansive global reach with unparalleled support and systems. Being part of the next generation in real estate search, development and investment is what inspires and excites each and every day. I am honored to be partnered with Ryan and the SERHANT. family and excited for what the future holds.”
Each founding agent of SERHANT. California brings a proven track record of high-volume sales, market expertise, and a commitment to leveraging SERHANT.’s global platform, media reach, and AI-driven tools to deliver unmatched client experiences.
Los Angeles
● Ben Belack joins SERHANT. from The Agency as Executive Vice President, California and Founding Member, bringing one of Beverly Hills’ top-producing teams and more than $1 billion in career sales to the firm. Widely recognized as one of the region’s leading luxury brokers, Belack is a prominent voice at the intersection of real estate, media, and modern brand-building, with appearances in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and the Los Angeles Times, as well a starring role on Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills. Over the past year alone, he has closed more than $100 million in transactions, and has represented a distinguished roster of high-profile clients including Jack Dorsey, Max Azria, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Diana Ross, Mel B, and many more. His arrival marks a major cornerstone in SERHANT.’s California launch, bringing unmatched authority and expertise within the market.
“I’ve admired Ryan and what he’s built with SERHANT. for years. He recognized early on that the future of real estate would live at the convergence of media, education, technology, and entrepreneurship,” said Belack. “As someone who has built my own brand around leveraging media, thought leadership, and sharing knowledge with other agents, joining SERHANT. feels like a natural alignment. I’m incredibly excited to help build California alongside Ryan and the SERHANT. team, and if you’re an agent looking for a platform built for where this industry is going, SERHANT. California is open for business.”
● Courtney Poulos joins SERHANT. as a Founding Member and Broker Associate, bringing more than 21 years of real estate experience and over $1.72 billion in career sales volume, including $180 million in the past 12 months alone. As the founder of ACME Real Estate, Courtney has built a highly respected business in the Los Angeles market, known for its strong branding, strategic marketing, and thoughtful representation across a wide range of residential properties. A broker-owner for the past 15 years, she has earned industry recognition including Person of the Year — Small Broker-Owner by Inman, Leader of Influence — Residential Real Estate by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Woman of Influence by HousingWire. Courtney is widely regarded for her sharp market expertise and entrepreneurial leadership.
“The future belongs to the AI-enabled, media savvy and visible agent. The SERHANT. platform was irresistible. It aligns with ACME on a visceral level–energy, innovation,
ultimately a platform that amplifies our branding and marketing strengths to the benefit of our clients and agents,” said Poulos.
● Patrick Michael joins SERHANT. as a Broker Associate and Founding Member, bringing more than two decades years of real estate experience and an established reputation in luxury leasing, high-end residential sales, and client representation across Los Angeles. Over his career, Patrick and his team have closed approximately $500 million in transactions, including $95 million in the past year alone, serving an elite clientele spanning entertainment, sports, business, and international circles. Known nationally for his leadership in luxury rentals and high-profile lease deals, Patrick is currently representing one of the most significant off-market residential listings in the country for $195M Beyond real estate, he is a three-time nominated music video executive producer, underscoring his deep connections in the entertainment industry and unique insight into the lifestyles of high-net-worth clients.
“I joined SERHANT. because I wanted to align with a team that sets the bar for what modern, media-driven real estate can be. Their platform amplifies everything—my expertise, my clients’ listings, and the service level I’ve always delivered—but at a scale that gives us unparalleled reach and results,” said Michael.
Orange County
● Annie Clougherty joins as Founding Member and leader of The Annie Clougherty Team from Compass, bringing over 20 years of real estate experience and a proven track record in the luxury Orange County market. With nearly $1B in career sales and over $160 million in transactions in the past 12 months alone, Annie consistently ranks in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide and has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results in high-value coastal properties. Known for her deep local expertise and client-focused approach, Annie leads a high-performing team focused on complex, luxury transactions and iconic homes such as her current listing at 245 Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach for $18.5M. Joining SERHANT. allows Annie to combine her strong Orange County presence with a global media and marketing platform, amplifying her relationships and reach while continuing to dominate the region’s premier luxury market.
"SERHANT.’s identity as a media and marketing company first, with a focus on people over property, immediately resonated with me. It reflects a commitment to authentic relationships, now amplified on a global stage. Bringing that together with my deep roots in Newport Beach and coastal Orange County felt like a natural next chapter," said Clougherty.
● Todd Davis, Jorge Anzaldi, and Greyson Benson join SERHANT. from Compass as Founding Members under Team Todd, bringing more than two decades of combined experience and a proven record of high-value residential sales. Collectively, the team has closed over $632 million in career transactions, including $85.7 million in the past 12 months, and has set multiple records in the region, including the highest recorded sale in Dana Point history at 63 Monarch Bay Drive—achieved twice, in 2022 and again once they sold it in 2025. Ranked among the top 1% of RealTrends agents and recognized as the #121 small team in California, they have specialized in oceanfront luxury properties.
“What stood out to us about SERHANT. is that it’s built around a clear philosophy—that attention drives opportunity, that agents should operate as brands, and that media and technology are essential to delivering at the highest level. But just as importantly, there’s a human-first approach that empowers agents to show up authentically and build real connections. Being founding members in Orange County gives us the opportunity to not just plug into something existing, but to help define the standard on how agents show up, and how this market connects to a global audience,” shared the team.
● Brooks Bailey joins as Founding Member, bringing over 15 years of experience in residential, luxury, and investment-focused real estate across Southern California. Previously with eXp, and known for his relationship-driven approach, Brooks has built a high-performance platform centered on acquisitions, strategic investment opportunities, and partnerships with developers, investors, and business owners. Over the past year, he has closed 45 residential transactions alongside multiple commercial sales, leveraging his deep network and market expertise to deliver sophisticated solutions for clients and partners.
“SERHANT. has proven what’s possible when the right brand, media power, and strategy come together at the highest level. This move allows me to operate at a more elevated standard and deliver a luxury experience that truly matches today’s market. What SERHANT has built is different. It’s a true intersection of luxury, media, and forward-thinking strategy,” said Bailey.
San Diego
Malena Boetel & Amber Welch join as Founding Members and co-leaders of Exclusive Group from eXp.
Malena Boetel brings over six years of luxury real estate experience and a proven record of top-producing results in Southern California, joining SERHANT. as a founding member and co-team leader of Exclusive Group. Over the past year, Malena has closed more than $43 million in sales and was an executive member of a $600 million team, where she was the #1 grossing agent and set the team’s highest lifetime sale. A specialist in luxury properties, new developments, and high-value contingent transactions, she also set eXp Realty’s 2025 record-high San Diego sale at $10.7 million.
Amber Welch joins SERHANT. as a founding member and co-team leader of Exclusive Group, bringing more than 25 years of executive-level sales and negotiation expertise and a proven record of performance in San Diego’s luxury real estate market. As a founder and former leader of a $600 million real estate team, Amber has established a commanding presence in the San Diego market, grounded in precision and consistent high-level execution. Over the past 12 months, she has driven $125 million in sales. A San Diego native, Amber is known for her strategic, white-glove approach, combining data-driven positioning, disciplined negotiation, and a highly curated, concierge-level client experience to deliver exceptional outcomes.
“SERHANT. Is a media and tech-driven marketing platform that delivers results. It aligns perfectly with how I’ve always built my career, having first began in corporate marketing where I drove measurable growth for Fortune 500 companies and celebrities by leveraging
media to 10x sales. I’ve carried that same approach throughout my real estate career to deliver exceptional results for my clients. And now, SERHANT. allows me to deliver at the highest level for them. I’m beyond excited to be a Founding Member of SERHANT. San Diego and launch Exclusive Group - together with my business partner, Amber Welch - to deliver a new standard in the Southern California real estate market,” said Boetel.
“Having led a top-producing team and closed over $600M in sales, I know that sustained success comes from evolving ahead of the market,” said Welch. “SERHANT. is built for that evolution - combining elite sales strategy with unmatched media power to a global audience. It’s the ideal brokerage and brand to continue growing, leading, and delivering exceptional results for my clients and my team at scale.”
Manuel Sanchez joins as a Founding Member in San Diego from The Agency, bringing 10 years of experience and a proven track record in luxury and residential real estate, with over $180 million in career sales, including $22 million in the past 12 months. Known for his client-focused approach and market expertise, Manuel has earned recognition for excellence in customer service and ranked among the top 1% of San Diego agents in 2024.
“I’ve long admired Ryan Serhant for redefining what it means to be a real estate professional. When I learned he was bringing SERHANT. to San Diego, I knew immediately this was where I wanted to be. The combination of world-class technology, a powerful platform, and a brand with unparalleled reach makes this the perfect opportunity to elevate my business and deliver exceptional results for my clients,” shared Manuel.
Robyn Flint joins SERHANT. from REAL, as Founding Member and Team Lead of Dwell Group, bringing over 15 years of combined real estate experience and a proven track record in the San Diego market. Over the past 12 months, Robyn has closed more than $40 million in individual transactions, with her team achieving more than $80M, and consistently ranks among the top 1% of agents locally. Known for a client-first, boutique approach, Robyn leads a high-performing team focused on delivering tailored solutions for each client.
“Our team operates with a standard of "be better", now is not the time for the average agent. SERHANT. has the power and exposure of a large known brand, but with a priority of a client-first approach. From portfolio investments, renovations and development opportunities to downsizing estate management, the Dwell Group brings a tailored, high-touch approach to every client — wherever life has them.”
San Francisco
Lisa Smith, formerly of Engel & Volkers, joins SERHANT. as Founding Member, leading her team Smith & Co, bringing 13 years of real estate experience and over $475 million in career sales, including $75 million in the past 12 months. A top 1% RealTrends-ranked agent and member of the Leading 100 California, Lisa combines her extensive industry expertise with a content-forward, media-driven approach to elevate client experiences.
“Coming from the start-up world, the desire to always step into companies that push the limit on how things have been done and create new and better ways to achieve a goal is
always something that gets me fired up. Approaching the real estate industry from a media perspective and being a content forward type of company combined with amazing technology is what I believe to be the winning formula,” said Smith.
Milana Ostroy joins SERHANT. as a Founding Member, bringing over 25 years of experience and more than $600 million in career sales across San Francisco and the Silicon Valley Peninsula. Known for bringing clarity to complex markets, Milana has built her reputation at the intersection of luxury, investment strategy, and opportunity identification—helping clients see not just what a property is, but what it can become. Her expertise spans high-stakes buyer and seller representation, value-add renovations, and strategic repositioning—often uncovering opportunities others overlook in competitive markets. As President of the Women's Council of Realtors, Milana is a recognized industry leader known for elevating both her clients and her community through insight-driven strategy and decisive execution.
“As I continue to work in the luxury space and with investors, this aligns directly with the level of marketing, visibility, and service I want to provide. Joining SERHANT. allows me to elevate how my clients’ properties and opportunities are positioned so they don’t just exist in the market—they stand out,” shared Ostroy.
Viviana Cherman joins as a Founding Member and Broker Associate based in Pleasanton and specializing in the Tri-Valley, bringing a decade of expertise and $150 million in career sales to SERHANT. Known for creating deep connections and prioritizing her clients’ success, Viviana’s achievements include repeated recognition on the NAHREP Top 250 Latino Agents list in 2021, 2022, and 2025, along with leadership roles on the Board of Directors for the Bay East Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors. Her reputation is built not only on results but also on the gift she brings to every relationship through trust, consistency, and a focus on long-term abundance.
"I’ve been inspired by SERHANT and the next level enthusiasm he brings to the otherwise stressful world of real estate. I have been a coaching client with Sell It for years, and there is a sense of belonging here. The energy, values, and culture align with how I love to work and serve my clients. It feels like a natural connection, where relationships, excellence, and a romance with the process, are a priority. Joining SERHANT. feels like the culmination of growth, manifesting, and stepping into a bigger level of value, visibility, and success.” shared Cherman.
Tahoe
Amie Quirarte, formerly of Chase International Real Estate, joins as Founding Member and founder of Q Group Tahoe, a boutique team specializing in luxury lakefront sales and high-value residential sales across North Lake Tahoe in both California and Nevada. With over 12 years of experience, she has closed notable transactions, including 5070 West Lake Boulevard for $21,750,000, a record-breaking sale at 9910 Lake Street in Kings Beach for $14,500,000, now the highest recorded sale in Kings Beach, and currently holds the highest sales record for the dry side of the prestigious Lakeshore Boulevard in Incline Village with the sales of 712 Lakeshore and 1128 Lakeshore, both at $11,500,000.00.
A recognized industry voice and frequent speaker, Amie leverages her deep market knowledge and strategic approach to deliver exceptional results for buyers, sellers, and investors alike.
“Joining SERHANT. allows me to elevate the marketing, reach, and exposure for my listings while providing the luxury experience my clients deserve,” Quirarte says, reflecting her commitment to growth, innovation, and client-focused service.
Founded in 2020 in New York City, SERHANT. has quickly become one of the fastest-growing and top-ranking real estate firms in the nation, with more than 2000 agents and 200 full-time team members. The firm operates in Arizona, California Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. SERHANT. combines award-winning marketing, advanced technology, and dynamic media strategies to elevate the agent and client experience.
About SERHANT.
SERHANT. is an AI-native real estate and media company, and is the most-followed real estate brand in the world. Founded in 2020 by top real estate broker and entrepreneur Ryan Serhant, SERHANT. brings together brokerage, media, and education, with proprietary technology to revolutionize how properties are marketed, sold, and experienced. SERHANT. sells residential, commercial, luxury, and new development properties nationally through its specialized divisions, including SERHANT. Signature for high-net-worth clients and SERHANT. New Development, which delivers end-to-end branding, marketing, and sales for ground-up residential projects. Powered by S.MPLE, SERHANT.’s proprietary AI platform, agents are empowered with real-time data and workflow automation across listings, transactions, and marketing to deliver faster, smarter, and more impactful results while saving time. Award-winning SERHANT. Studios produces original content across social and streaming platforms, while SellIt.com is the company’s digital education hub, engaging members globally in more than 130 countries. Learn more at serhant.com.