In a significant industry shift, veteran Southern California broker Lance Martin has concluded his 24-year tenure with Coldwell Banker to join eXp Realty, marking the latest chapter in his nearly 40-year real estate career. The announcement was made by eXp World Holdings, Inc., the parent company of eXp Realty, on March 19, 2026.
A Legacy of Leadership Moves Forward
Martin brings with him The Martin Group / Cobalt Realty Group, a Southern California organization comprising 140 agents known for exceptional production and sustained growth. This transition represents one of the most notable brokerage moves in recent Southern California real estate history.
"Lance is a respected leader who has spent decades building one of the strongest organizations in Southern California," stated Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty. "We're thrilled to welcome him and the agents of The Martin Group / Cobalt Realty Group to eXp and support the continued growth of their organization."
Family Tradition Meets Modern Innovation
Real estate represents a multigenerational family business for Martin. His grandmother worked as a broker in the 1950s and was recognized as a top broker in 1956, often standing out as one of the only women in what was then a male-dominated industry. Today, Martin continues this legacy alongside his sons, Drew Martin and Drake Martin, who work alongside him in the business.
According to Martin, his decision to transition to eXp Realty reflects broader transformations occurring across the real estate sector. "I've been saying for years that the traditional legacy franchise model is broken," Martin explained. "The agents have slowly floated to the top of the business model, and at eXp they're actually positioned there."
Overcoming Traditional Limitations
Martin specifically pointed to constraints within the traditional franchise structure that restricted expansion into certain markets due to territorial boundaries. After decades of building offices and teams, these limitations became increasingly challenging to navigate as his organization continued its expansion trajectory.
With his move to eXp Realty, Martin plans to continue growing his organization, with long-term ambitions to scale The Martin Group / Cobalt Realty Group into a multi-state operation. The cloud-based platform and agent-centric model offered by eXp Realty provides the flexibility and support structure he believes necessary for this next phase of growth.
About eXp World Holdings
eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI) serves as the parent company of eXp Realty, which describes itself as "the most agent-centric real estate brokerage on the planet," along with SUCCESS Enterprises. Through its innovative cloud-based platform and agent-focused business model, eXp Realty empowers real estate professionals with industry-leading commission structures, revenue sharing opportunities, equity ownership possibilities, and access to a global community of agents.
The company maintains operations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and South Africa, continually redefining how real estate professionals connect, develop their businesses, and achieve success. As a publicly traded corporation, eXp World Holdings emphasizes transparency, innovation, and long-term value creation for agents, staff members, and shareholders alike.
