eXp parent company acquires NextHome, begins trading as AGNT

eXp World Holdings, the parent company of eXp Realty, has acquired U.S. franchise network NextHome and will begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AGNT effective May 8.

The deal marks a significant strategic shift for the Bellingham, Wash.-based company, which has until now operated exclusively as a cloud-based brokerage. Adding NextHome’s franchise model gives eXp a second business stream — and sets up what the company is calling a “multi-model platform” for real estate professionals.

Financial terms have not been disclosed, but eXp said it used existing cash on hand to fund the acquisition, which has already closed.

What’s in the deal

NextHome doesn’t have a Canadian presence, but operates with more than 500 franchisees across the U.S. Its co-CEOs, James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson — well known in North American industry circles for their Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered podcast — will continue on in new roles as president and president of strategy, respectively. NextHome will continue to operate as a separate franchise brand with its own compensation structure.

“Joining forces with eXp World Holdings is a natural evolution of our ‘Humans Over Houses’ mission,” Dwiggins said in a press release. “We looked at every real estate company across the U.S., and eXp aligns with us the most — from company culture to philosophy to a leadership team that truly advocates for agents and consumers.”

Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, framed the move as expanding optionality rather than replacing the existing model.

“A one-size-fits-all model no longer works for the visionary entrepreneur,” Pareja said. “We’re building a platform that supports multiple models, because every agent, and every consumer served, deserves choice.”

Part of a bigger wave

The eXp-NextHome deal is the latest in a string of major consolidations reshaping the industry. Just last week, Miami-based The Real Brokerage announced plans to acquire Remax Holdings in a deal valued at about US$880 million. The combined company, to be called Real Remax Group, would serve more than 180,000 real estate professionals — including more than 100,000 agents in the U.S. and Canada.

Together, the two deals signal a broader reckoning: as market conditions tighten and technology costs rise, scale and platform diversification are the price of staying competitive.

Why it matters for Canadian agents

eXp Realty operates across Canada and has attracted thousands of Canadian agents on its commission structure, revenue share model and equity ownership program. The acquisition does not immediately change the Canadian operation, but signals that eXp’s parent company is diversifying beyond its original model.

The ticker change from EXPI to AGNT requires no action from existing shareholders.

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