From the South Florida Web site: In an age of free agency, South Florida real estate brokers are changing allegiances as firms look for agents who get results. Recent
moves add to a list that figures to get longer: Eric Pruitt and Isabel
Stephenson recently left RE/MAX to join forces with Keller Williams.
Esslinger Wooten Maxwell Realtors hired Jo-Ann Forester and her
eight-member team away from Coldwell Banker. Real estate
executives and head hunters never stop recruiting top producers, but
more agents are considering making the move in a down market, according
to Matt Johnston, CEO of Workway, a real estate staffing firm with
offices in Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. [more]

From the South Florida Web site: South Florida’s real estate
ranks, thinned by the market collapse, are starting to increase again
as brokerages anticipate an upturn. Some struggling part-timers left
the business as the boom times faded, and others near retirement exited
gracefully. Those who hung on are sharpening their swords in
preparation for renewed opportunities. Home sales are once again on the
rise, but different strengths are needed for a market characterized by
lower prices, fewer buyers, and rising foreclosures. Companies like Flagler Development are taking advantage of the down economy to recruit talented brokers and train them to leverage market opportunities. In the last six months, the firm has hired four people, taking advantage of cutbacks at rivals such as CB Richard Ellis. [more]