Three Compass agents return to Coldwell Banker after 8 months

Three agents who left Coldwell Banker for Compass just eight months ago have returned to their former home.

Vera Nelson, Peggy Bray and Nicole Bray will rejoin Coldwell Banker’s Pasadena office after less than a year at Compass, the company touted in a release. Nelson ranked in the top 12 percent of agents at Coldwell before her departure, while Peggy Bray ranked in the top 6 percent.

In a statement, Nelson sounded almost euphoric about her return to the firm: “Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is the unequivocal powerhouse in real estate. You can’t compete with their legacy, elite professionals and market presence,” she said. “Coldwell Banker defines home. The road always leads to home and I’m happy to be home.”

Coldwell regional vice president Joe Mamone heralded the agents’ return as proof that Coldwell could hold its own against the competition.

“Agents like Vera, Peggy and Nicole are always seeking to take their business to the next level, and their return to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage validates their certainty in our company’s capabilities to provide high-potential agents with the best opportunities to excel,” he said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Compass said the three agents “were presented an opportunity that they could not refuse.”

The return of the agents marks one of the most high-profile instances of agents leaving venture capital-backed firm Compass, which has quickly developed a reputation for poaching top talent from competing L.A. firms.

From Coldwell, the company previously poached Stan Richman, mother-and-son team Linda and Brent Chang, and Sabrina Wu.

Despite much speculation among its competitors, Compass has denied offering brokers outrageous bonuses or compensation packages.