It’s Darren Shepherd here—founder and lead agent of the Shepherd Real Estate Team—and I’m absolutely bursting to share some exciting news with you. After an incredible run with Compass, our entire team has officially joined eXp Realty, and we could not be more grateful or more fired up about the future!
If you live in Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, or anywhere across beautiful South Orange County, you’ve probably seen us out and about helping families find their dream homes and sellers maximize every dollar in this competitive coastal market. Today, I want to personally tell you why this move to eXp feels like the perfect next chapter for us—and, more importantly, for YOU, our clients and friends.
First, a Huge Thank-You to Compass
Compass gave us an amazing platform for many years. We grew, we learned, we closed hundreds of millions in sales, and we built lifelong relationships. We will always be thankful for the foundation and friendships we made there.
But sometimes growth means taking a bold step forward, and that’s exactly what brought us to eXp.
Why eXp Realty? Three Words: Freedom, Future, and Family
After months of research and conversations with top-producing teams across the country, the decision became crystal clear. eXp offers something truly unique in real estate:
- Agent-centric revenue share that rewards hard work and attraction of great talent
- World-class training and mentorship (all virtual, yet somehow feels more connected than most in-person offices)
- Cutting-edge technology, including a full cloud-based platform and immersive 3D tools
- True ownership opportunity through publicly traded stock (NASDAQ: EXPI)
- A collaborative, positive culture that feels like one giant mastermind—24/7
For a team that loves innovation and refuses to stop learning, it was a no-brainer.
The Official Welcome from eXp
The eXp family rolled out the red carpet for us in the best way. They even published a feature article celebrating our arrival and the value we bring to the South Orange County market. You can read the full story here: 🔗 Shepherd Real Estate Team Joins eXp Realty – Official Announcement
What This Means for You (Our South OC Clients & Friends)
Honestly? Better service, faster results, and even more fun along the way.
With eXp’s tools and resources behind us, we can now:
- Offer even deeper hyper-local market reports for neighborhoods like Talega, Monarch Beach, and Coto de Caza
- Provide virtual staging and 3D tours that make listings pop (especially important in our low-inventory market)
- Spend more time with you and less time on paperwork
- Keep growing our team so we’re always available when you need us most
Whether you’re thinking of selling your Laguna Niguel view home, hunting for that perfect Dana Point beach-close condo, or relocating to family-friendly Ladera Ranch, we are more ready than ever to guide you home.
The Future Feels So Bright
I wake up every single day thankful for this career, for my rock-star team, and for all of you who trust us with the biggest financial and emotional decisions of your lives. Joining eXp feels like the same way finding the perfect house feels—like everything just clicked.
So here’s to new beginnings, bigger goals, and continuing to serve South Orange County with the heart, hustle, and white-glove service you’ve always known from us—now supercharged.
If you’re curious about the market, thinking of making a move in 2026, or just want to grab coffee and say hi, my phone is always on.
Let’s write your next chapter together.
With gratitude & excitement, Darren Shepherd Shepherd Real Estate Team | eXp Realty (949) 806-6834 [email protected] www.shepherdreteam.com
P.S. Searching for the top real estate team in Laguna Beach, Dana Point, or anywhere in South Orange County? We’d love to earn your trust. Drop me a message anytime! 🏡✨
